https://www.dmcconnell.com/home daily 1.0 2024-04-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e70157699cf554f78fd8ea/1655921627319-HK3BQOOA1M7KSUBFMBR4/dbe-logo.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e70157699cf554f78fd8ea/bcae505a-c7ab-4b4b-847f-201b4d198cfc/16.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e70157699cf554f78fd8ea/9ac0f8c2-13b3-4a7c-8e87-fe2f55219cbc/McConnell+website+header.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e70157699cf554f78fd8ea/1642533366405-OHCBSGEAJXCREPVULJE5/Public+Relations.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e70157699cf554f78fd8ea/1642533456390-PL2K2C9DAQ6VSSMV7YVW/Marketing.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e70157699cf554f78fd8ea/1642533502868-06QF2A56476330ZT27XG/Crisis+Management.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e70157699cf554f78fd8ea/1642533548621-B2M7GEF1OYZGAB390DJV/Advertising.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e70157699cf554f78fd8ea/1642533608089-D559WZSBG0MOLRMO0LT9/Website+Design.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e70157699cf554f78fd8ea/1642533660650-FSIV72RDZ9XD2QO9VUTR/Social+media.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e70157699cf554f78fd8ea/1642533726611-DKH79Z7AK5YK6OU6IEIH/Media+Training.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e70157699cf554f78fd8ea/1642533802179-H1BJM9V6I22N42RWECZE/Relationship+Building.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e70157699cf554f78fd8ea/6e167e02-1d60-430d-94bb-f39f912b6465/McConnell+website+services+icons.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e70157699cf554f78fd8ea/10e416b5-9db0-49ec-b859-6ec1f93f5f15/McConnell+website+services+icons-2.png Home https://www.dmcconnell.com/media daily 0.75 2024-02-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e70157699cf554f78fd8ea/1656530141102-8E2G3UJIQYOTIQ5Y8V7V/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_7b-768x512.jpg Media Coverage https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e70157699cf554f78fd8ea/1656530266142-V7A7IWXSI0ENMWQM8QDX/future+site+of+Eden+Park-main_i.jpg Media Coverage https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e70157699cf554f78fd8ea/1656530374964-HES29S5UL3OSRTIGP83P/13648202-76f0-4998-810f-d3afbf805e5b-0527-_EDENPARK-HL-13.png Media Coverage https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e70157699cf554f78fd8ea/5fdb6366-6ec3-4779-8a89-bb8f5e4b9d05/635532501980252677-GTY-528030167.jpg Media Coverage https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e70157699cf554f78fd8ea/53993c9f-ccb2-4615-9119-763267855176/B99425805Z.1_20160815195923_000_GE4136A93.1-0.jpg Media Coverage https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e70157699cf554f78fd8ea/5aec9698-1058-4cc0-9fb8-77b3a980008f/JUSTICEFORCONELIUS_NEWSLETTER_UPDATE.jpg Media Coverage https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e70157699cf554f78fd8ea/8248c2b4-3b3f-41b7-8e09-ac8a899850e8/3cd9232f-6bdb-493b-8973-1b47f06178f2-large16x9_AP22313101912559.jpg Media Coverage https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e70157699cf554f78fd8ea/5cfdc39b-2e13-4b68-9d13-8826f8c18639/Screenshot+2024-02-07+at+7.10.31%E2%80%AFPM.png Media Coverage https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e70157699cf554f78fd8ea/2416249e-18b7-4e25-8418-bfd31eecf1ba/DoubleUpFoodBucksLong.jpg Media Coverage https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e70157699cf554f78fd8ea/9069c763-5bf8-4d31-b811-9306b6b5b30f/46.jpg Media Coverage https://www.dmcconnell.com/about daily 0.75 2024-02-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e70157699cf554f78fd8ea/942bf246-a6ac-4bd6-9c95-e79775b92ace/Delivery.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e70157699cf554f78fd8ea/3b3c7609-c398-41f3-a0cb-28f69f8b2fe1/Quality.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e70157699cf554f78fd8ea/ab1dfdc7-7ddb-4ebd-966f-906bc56a0b92/Innovation.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e70157699cf554f78fd8ea/4d9c5b43-6d02-4482-b02f-421063adff3e/Sustainability.png https://www.dmcconnell.com/team daily 0.75 2024-04-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e70157699cf554f78fd8ea/d92d632a-ae72-44e4-81bc-1a58f57cbaca/Darci+McConnell+headshot.jpg Team - PRESIDENT, CEO Darci E. McConnell Darci E. McConnell, president and CEO of McConnell Communications, Inc., has 34 years of experience in communications strategy, crisis management, media relations, relationship building, marketing, advertising and political consulting. McConnell spent 14 years as a reporter for newspaper outlets across the state as well as in Washington, DC. In 2022, she served as the communications director for the Reproductive Freedom for All’s successful Proposal 3 campaign. In addition, McConnell has led more than two dozen successful political campaigns at the local, county, state, and national level. She has served as an adjunct journalism professor at Wayne State University and as past president of the Detroit Chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists. Her executive education includes completion of Harvard’s Program on Negotiation, a New Media Boot Camp offered by the National Organizing Institute for community organizers and Goldman Sach’s 10,000 Small Businesses - Detroit. Her personal passion is mentoring and making a difference in the lives of young people. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e70157699cf554f78fd8ea/1648092776319-DIRED0VHJOBVHZVPLYO0/unsplash-image-Mwuod2cm8g4.jpg Team - COPY EDITOR, MEDIA TRAINER Alex Cruden Alex Cruden does editing, proofing, media training and copywriting for McConnell Communications. A Detroit Free Press journalist and manager for more than 35 years, Cruden has led more than 170 seminars and training sessions for editors, writers, and managers across the country. Currently he is an adjunct instructor in journalism for Wayne State University, a contract editor for the University of Michigan and a freelance editor of nonfiction and fiction books. 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Promotional Flyers https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e70157699cf554f78fd8ea/92f60f8b-5bd9-4e11-acee-a0d2b7cbb90c/RFFA+Grand+Rapids+event+flyer-4.png Graphics - Promotional Flyers https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e70157699cf554f78fd8ea/3b273e95-2382-4c99-8b06-5ab59f6bdc1e/Ask+the+Treasurer+September+2023.png Graphics - Promotional Flyers https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e70157699cf554f78fd8ea/5d7e586f-9baf-4916-8a0e-9b9d336c37a4/2023+WCTO+Veterans+Resource+Fair+Flyer-6.png Graphics - Promotional Flyers https://www.dmcconnell.com/case-studies daily 0.75 2024-02-08 https://www.dmcconnell.com/case-studies/fair-food monthly 0.5 2024-02-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e70157699cf554f78fd8ea/1648504837169-JB90CO0WVSBLTJ8A49O1/12.png Case Studies - Fair Food Network's Double Up Food Bucks Program - Overview: The Fair Food Network needed help to brand, grow and generate participation in its Double Up Food Bucks program, which provides healthier food access to low-income families by doubling the amount of money they can spend in farmers markets. McConnell Communications developed an approach to bolster the agency’s outreach efforts, assisted with development and implementation of earned media (publicity), created radio advertisements and placed media buy (ads), both locally as well as across the state. Outcome: The program that began in five locations in Detroit now operates in 150 across the state. Michigan SNAP participants have spent more than $7 million in combined SNAP and Double Up Food Bucks in participating markets and farm-direct retail since 2010 and have bought more than 4 million pounds of healthy fresh produce. Reference: Oran Hesterman, Fair Food Network President/CEO, 734-213-3999 https://www.dmcconnell.com/case-studies/arcadis monthly 0.5 2024-02-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e70157699cf554f78fd8ea/1648504815818-LH2PZYK81HM827SYECA2/Arcadis.png Case Studies - Arcadis/City of Flint - Overview: Due to the ongoing water crisis in Flint, the city was asked to comply with an EPA administrative order to assess ways to optimize the water distribution system. McConnell Communications, a subcontractor to Arcadis, was asked to help with communication outreach and crisis management to help inform residents of the work being done by the city. To that end, beginning in September, 2016, we have surveyed residents about perceptions; helped put together FAQ sheets and work updates (in English and Spanish); arranged a series of town hall meetings; engaged in one-on-on conversations with key stakeholders and continue to present updates to residents via community group meetings. Outcome: While the work to restore residents’ trust is ongoing, the feedback has been generally positive about Arcadis’ direct outreach to residents and their efforts to keep the community informed and simply taking the time to listen to their concerns. Reference: Christopher Hill, Arcadis Vice President/Regional Value Proposition Leader, 813-347-3047 https://www.dmcconnell.com/case-studies/difs monthly 0.5 2024-02-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e70157699cf554f78fd8ea/1707343858233-LTKC6KB4NL50IUNUGL55/19.png Case Studies - Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services - Overview: In 2019, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation providing ways for residents to reduce their auto insurance costs and to also hold insurance companies more accountable. To ensure that residents were able to tap into those savings, McConnell Communications won an RFP in 2020 to help build awareness. To accomplish this, McConnell Communications: Created and implemented a communication plan Developed collateral materials (PowerPoint + 1-pager) to simplify messaging Arranged and presented to more than 30 community organizations Secured surrogates to help distribute informational materials via email and social media platforms Enlisted community groups to distribute information at food banks Secured media interviews Assisted with scripts to be used for television and radio advertising Outcome: State officials considered the outreach and media relations efforts very successful in helping to significantly raise awareness of the new insurance laws. https://www.dmcconnell.com/case-studies/mcyj monthly 0.5 2024-02-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e70157699cf554f78fd8ea/1707344500500-1X81SL10S71JRWGIVGQ7/21.png Case Studies - Michigan Center for Youth Justice - Overview: In the spring of 2020, Cornelius Frederick lost his life in a Kalamazoo group home after overzealous guards halted his breathing while restraining him. McConnell Communications worked with MCYJ, a nonprofit dedicated to creating a more effective justice system for youths, to help devise and implement the #JusticeforCornelius campaign. This included garnering local, state, and national media attention; overseeing the implementation of a social media strategy; and assistance with developing and securing key allies. Outcome: The facility where Cornelius resided was shuttered; the parent company stopped its criticized operations in Michigan; the company continues to receive more scrutiny at its sites across the country; individuals involved in the restraint faced criminal charges, and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services implemented policy changes around group homes. Reference: Jason Smith, Michigan Center for Youth Justice Director, 517-927-0448 https://www.dmcconnell.com/case-studies/micrc monthly 0.5 2024-02-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e70157699cf554f78fd8ea/1707345224799-A4P4SHCRYUGIO923MRD4/20.png Case Studies - Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission - Overview: As the MICRC implemented redistricting on the heels of the 2018 successful ballot initiative, McConnell Communications was engaged to educate and inform residents in Southeast Michigan through earned media and community outreach to garner public comment, assist with mapping, and take part in hearings in spring of 2021. The company created a slogan, directed a social media campaign, secured more than 50 appearances for commissioners at community meetings, generated media coverage, conducted video interviews of surrogates, provided graphic design work, and drafted articles as part of its overall communication work. Outcome: In addition to the branding, social media help, public appearances and media coverage, more than 30,000 public comments were provided on MICRC’s process for drawing maps, in part due to McConnell’s combined efforts with other agencies. https://www.dmcconnell.com/case-studies/aa490 monthly 0.5 2024-02-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e70157699cf554f78fd8ea/1707345954357-4BKVAP03JLXJJPLZX6K4/McConnell+website+clients+and+logos.png Case Studies - African American 490 Challenge - Overview: Following an initial 3-year campaign by Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy to process thousands of untested rape test kits, McConnell Communications donated its service beginning in 2015 to the AA490 Challenge to raise funds to process the remaining 1,341 kits. In addition to helping to come up with the campaign name, slogan, and messaging, McConnell Communications secured local, state, and national press; helped with the design of collateral materials; created a social media campaign; secured speaking engagements; and devised events and themes to grow participation. Outcome: The campaign raised more than $675,000 to complete testing of the unprocessed kits, earned the AA490 Challenge team recognition by the Michigan Chronicle as newsmaker of the year, and secured an honor of Fierce Black Feminist for the company’s principal.