Allegheny County Housing Authority

Our experience with the ACHA has included two contracts awarded in 2001: A Public Relations, Marketing and Advertising Services contract, and a contract to produce annual reports and newsletters. The period in which we serviced the ACHA was from Fall 2001 through Fall 2004. These were two-year contracts with an optional one-year extension. Bynums helped the ACHA gain greater visibility in the media and the communities it services. Marketing strategies and comprehensive communications programs were developed to focus on improving community and media relations; to provide positive information about ACHA and its programs; and to increase the number of inquiries from potential residents.

Professional services for the ACHA included consulting and reporting directly to the executive director; consulting and providing services to the heads of each department; problem solving and troubleshooting; project management; development of news stories and distribution to the media; marketing analysis and strategy development; creative services (including copywriting and graphic design); printing, audio and video production; media scheduling; and media placement.

In addition, Bynums provided event-planning services for ACHA. For example, we helped them create and develop their Home Ownership Golf Classic, which raises money to provide educational scholarships. Funds raised were also used to assist residents with a down payment on a home.

Bynums has developed marketing plans for a number of other organizations, including: Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield, the POISE Foundation, the Pittsburgh Pirates, Capital City Airport, Quik-It Convenience Store, and Healthy Start, Inc.

Outcomes: Through the marketing services provided by Bynums, the Allegheny County Housing Authority significantly raised public awareness. In addition, our efforts resulted in a 50% increase in applications from families and seniors (according to reports from the ACHA's Intake Department).