Compiling, analyzing, and providing strategic guidance on the annual communications output of the ACLU of the District of Columbia

ACLU of the District of Columbia - End Of Year 2017 & 2018

Objective: Review the communications output of ACLU-DC in terms of media, digital, and key campaigns during 2017 and 2018 and provide analysis to inform organizational planning and future communications goals.

Components: Thorough breakdown with statistical analysis of media coverage by outlet and topic; reach and impact on social media channels, website, and email; and reviews of key communication campaigns.

Result: The 30+ page audit reports for 2017 and 2018 helped to make the components of specific communication campaign success stories clear to senior leadership and the board, while also highlighting key areas for further investment for even greater successes in years to come.

Real world impact: The reports helped the organization continue to make informed and strategic investment in communications capacity to advance key organizational objectives, including lawsuits on illegal implementations of stop and frisk, lawsuits and policies to protect demonstrators’ rights, and policies to reduce the criminalization of poverty in the District.

Aglet Strategies communications audits have been indispensable to our organization. The ACLU-DC has always been a litigation-focused organization, but after interviewing staff and board members for the audit, Ginny and Alec recommended directing more resources to our policy and advocacy work. That paid off tremendously when we led a successful campaign in 2018 to decriminalize fare evasion in the District. In addition, the media metrics from the audits have been essential to demonstrate the impact of my department’s work over the years, and have been important tools as we build our communications plans for the future. Every communications program should have an audit from Aglets!

- Suzanne Ito, Strategic Communications Director, ACLU of D.C.