Page 87 - CCGA Best Practices Version English

7-4: Create an Effective Damage Prevention Message

Practice Statement: When promoting damage prevention, create a
message that is understood and retained.
Practice Description: An effective message should motivate the targeted
audience to positive action. The objective is to put desired behaviours into
practice quickly, easily, and repeatedly.

7-5: Promote the Damage Prevention Message

Practice Statement: Promoting the damage prevention message by finding
creative ways to influence the target audience to:
• Listen attentively to the message
• Remember what they heard
• Change their behaviour.

Multiple stakeholders with similar goals and messages can partner together
to reduce costs and maximize impact.

Practice Description: Promoting the damage prevention message can be
done through a variety of means and media. Mailings involve delivering a
specific message to a particular target audience (e.g. - specific geographic
area, market sector, or demographic category).

Professionally designed messages can be effective at securing the attention
of a broader target audience. (e.g. newspaper advertising, trade journal ads,
brochures, sponsorships, transit system signs, news and weather reports)
Where possible take advantage of free media, such as public service
announcements made by newspaper, radio, television and available websites.

Promotional items present a method of promoting key messages and are
branding opportunities.

7-6: Establish Strategic Relationships

Practice Statement: Develop strategic working relationships to assist in
the promotion of damage prevention.
Practice Description: Strategic relationships can be developed with others
who have shared or similar issues, interests, and needs. These could include
industry associations, equipment manufacturers and trade groups. Other
stakeholders can include government agencies, emergency responders and
media.

Canadian Common Ground Alliance
Best Practices Version 3.0 – October 2018
78