Strategic Communication Services

The vendor is required to provide strategic communications partner to elevate its visibility, shape public understanding, and strengthen trust in the mission, impact, and value of public defense throughout the state.
- Media relations
•    Develop media lists and cultivate relationships with state and regional journalists. 
•    Create, edit, and distribute press releases, media advisories, op-eds, letters to the editor, and earned media plans with a strategic approach to amplify brand awareness and thought leadership. 
•    Pitch media stories, secure interviews, and place articles that highlight office initiatives, case successes, and policy positions across local, statewide, and diverse outlets. 
•    Monitor news coverage and provide media analysis and reputation management recommendations.
- Strategic messaging and material development
•    Develop core messaging documents including fact sheets, talking points, executive bios, case studies, and impact summaries. 
•    Translate complex legal and systemic issues into compelling, plain language materials for non-legal audiences. 
•    Target messaging for: first person of color as public defender, office pay and fiscal disparities, youth issue legislation, and emerging legislative priorities. 
•    Ensure all messaging aligns with office mission and values, including client-centered advocacy and racial justice.
- Digital and social media
•    Provide guidance and content development for office social media platforms, including twitter and X, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. 
•    Create branded templates and graphics to promote events, campaigns, and announcements. 
•    Develop and execute digital campaigns aligned with key office initiatives.
- Event support and public engagement
•    Provide communications support for community events, listening sessions, advocacy days, and press conferences. 
•    Prepare briefing materials and media kits for public-facing appearances by office leadership. 
•    Design signage, banners, or digital presentations as needed.
- Crisis communications
•    Develop a crisis communications plan in consultation with office leadership. 
•    provide real-time support for responding to media inquiries, reputation risks, and controversial cases or incidents. 
•    Execute rapid response for breaking news on racial disparities and criminal justice reform, while positioning office leadership for timely commentary. 
•    Prepare and coach office spokespeople for media appearances or legislative testimony (phone, video, in-person), ensuring consistent messaging across engagements.
- Budget of roughly $163 million.

- Contract Period/Term: 1 year
- Pre-Proposal Conference Date: September 22, 2025
- Questions/Inquires Deadline: September 25, 2025