Cranberry named a top township for social media
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She doesn't just post to Cranberry's Facebook page.
Cindy Marzock, the township's social media guru, posts to four municipal Facebook pages -- and that does not include a fifth site operated by the public library.
And, Ms. Marzock doesn't just upload videos to YouTube, she uploads to a customized YouTube channel that's decorated with the township's signature colors and logo.
And as for Twitter, well, Ms. Marzock tweets like a songbird.
"This is the way of the future," said Ms. Marzock, a member of the township's communications team.
Cranberry was recognized with a state award for its foray into social media. It was picked as the top winner in the Social Media Category of the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors' 44th Annual Township Citizen Communication Contest. The annual competition recognizes townships that have successfully communicated programs and activities to their residents.
This is the first year that an award has been given in a social media category.
The entries were judged on the usefulness of the information presented and how well that information was communicated, according to the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors, which sponsors the contest.
Judges were from the association's publications/public relations committee, the Governor's Center for Local Government Services and the periodical Pennsylvania Township News.
"This recognition is another validation of our township's commitment to use all forms of communications to better serve our residents and businesses. The use of social media has become a major component of our overall communications strategy,'' said supervisors Chairman Bruce Mazzoni.
Ms. Marzock said she loves social media because of its interactive capabilities. "It's not just an information push. It's about feedback," she said. That feedback helps the township in its primary mission of customer service, she said, adding that it's "really exciting" that the township's tweets are being re-tweeted.
"That's a real validation that we're being heard," Ms. Marzock said. As of Friday, the township had 533 followers on Twitter.
Despite the flurry of electronic activity, brochures, newsletters and the township website and blogs will still have a place in Cranberry communications.
Township manager Jerry Andree will continue to hold his periodic "coffees" with the public. Public hearings will be held, and newspaper advertisements and electronic signs still will plug upcoming events.
"Every item in our toolbox is important," Ms. Marzock said. But, social media -- micro-blogging, e-blasts and videos -- will be a priority alongside the more traditional communication vehicles.
She said it makes sense to use social media, given the township's demographics.
"Our most popular demographic on Facebook is [ages] 35 to 44 and that's a great demographic to be in considering the township's median age is 38," Ms. Marzock said. "We are right there where we need to be."
A goal for this year is to emphasize more video production.
"We want to move in a direction of helping our residents with how-to," Ms. Marzock said. "Instead of just giving them a brochure on recycling, we'll do a video showing how to recycle or how to get a building permit."
First Published February 9, 2012 12:00 am
