Newsletter | MARCH 2011
From the desk of Bobbie Browning
Since 2001, GovDelivery has helped government improve communication, and our new mission statement - Maximize direct connections with the public through digital communications - reflects this commitment.
Our focus is on helping our clients become more effective, efficient and engaged with stakeholders using communication methods that reach more people, are more automated across all digital channels from email to social media, and deliver more mission value.
During a recent Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA) conference, I discussed how GovDelivery clients can use cloud computing to maximize cost saving opportunities. In particular, I pointed out how the National Weather Service and FEMA have benefited. Please take a few moments to view the video.
Pew research shows growth in public web use, growing opportunities for government
When it comes to sharing information with a community's residents and businesses, more governments are using web-based methods to better connect than ever before. And according to Aaron Smith, Senior Research Specialist at the Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project, "40 percent of Internet users go online for information about government operations."
Smith's research, presented at a GovDelivery event held Feb. 3, focused on the ways governments can succeed when communicating with the public. Smith called it the "Three Ps of Success: Personalize, Proactive, and Proven."
Given the fact that 79 percent of adults 18 and older use the Internet, Smith suggests there is a huge opportunity for government organizations to reach out more aggressively to proactively engage with the public using digital communications.
To do this effectively, he said, governments must embrace mobile technology (59 percent of users connect wirelessly and 72 percent send or receive texts on their phone), utilize social networking (86 percent of people 18-29 use social media), and continue to focus on email (used by 94 percent of those online).
Smith said the research illustrates that digital communications are highly effective tools for government in three ways: growing audience reach, fans, friends and followers; personalization and services; and building public participation and engagement.
To learn more, view Smith's entire presentation on video and in slides.
Cloud–first event featured latest thoughts on effective government communications
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Several hundred representatives from across federal government were present for a major GovDelivery event held in Washington D.C. on Feb. 3. Attendees heard the latest thought leadership regarding the Office of Management and Budget's "Cloud–First" strategy and how this presents a huge opportunity for agencies to dramatically improve operational efficiencies.
Speakers Included:
Aaron Smith of the Pew Research Center and American Life Project. His presentation, entitled "Government Online: The 3 "P's" of Success - Personalize, Proactive and Proven," discussed research about public attitudes toward engaging with the government online. Video of his presentation is also available here.
Scott Burns, CEO and co-Founder of GovDelivery and Steve Ressler, Founder and President of GovLoop, on Measuring and Capturing Mission Value from Digital Communications.
Other features of the event included a panel discussion entitled "Leveraging Cloud-First to Adopt Light Technologies and Shared Services," in addition to presentation of Excellence in Communication Awards. 
Census Bureau wins 2010 Excellence in Communication Award
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The U.S. Census Bureau has been given the Excellence in Communication Annual Award for 2010 by GovDelivery. In the past year alone, the Census Bureau used digital communications to increase the effectiveness of Census 2010 outreach efforts, generating $1.87 billion in savings to taxpayers; expanding engagement through additional topical updates and realizing 166 percent growth in subscriptions; and creating opportunities for ongoing direct engagement by citizens through its four blogs.
During 2010, the Bureau sent out more than 2.4 million messages covering 172 subscription topics to more than 103,000 individual subscribers. Collaboration with other agency sites also helped boost the Bureau's subscriber numbers — in fact, more than 23 percent of new subscribers came from sign–ups placed on other GovDelivery client sites.
The award was formally presented to U.S. Census Associate Director for Communications Steve Jost and Associate Director for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer Brian McGrath during a GovDelivery event held Feb. 3 in Washington, D.C.
NASA wins Excellence in Communication Award for fourth quarter 2010
NASA has been given the Excellence in Communication Award for the fourth quarter of 2010 by GovDelivery. In the fourth quarter alone, NASA sent more than 100 million digital messages to subscribers, and more than 315 million messages over the entire year.
The agency also dramatically enhanced outreach across federal government by allowing NASA.gov visitors to sign up for updates from other federal agencies such as NSF, EPA, and NIST of interest to site visitors. Popular subscription topics on the NASA website include: Image of the Day; Mars Exploration News; Solar System News; and Universe News.
The award was formally presented to NASA Deputy Chief Information Officer Deborah Diaz and NASA Internet Services Manager Brian Dunbar during a GovDelivery event held Feb. 3 in Washington, D.C.
AFCEA DC Next-Gen MOBILE Technologies Symposium
The Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) DC is holding The Next-Gen MOBILE Technologies Symposium on March 17 at the Capitol Hilton in Washington, D.C. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This dynamic conference will focus on the potential that mobile and wireless technologies offer for meeting the operational mission, as well as for improving business operations and training. As mobile devices proliferate into the mainstream of government and business operations, users will have more ubiquitous capability to access information from virtually any device, anywhere in the world, and anytime they need.
Event speakers will address the unique challenges and opportunities for next generation mobile information exchange spanning the concepts of operations, networks, devices, standards, user experience, security, governance, and policy considerations as mobile computers access information on the network.
Registration is open right now so be sure to visit the AFCEA DC event site to confirm your place at the event.
GovLoop surpasses 40,000 members!
Had you heard the news that GovLoop just hit another milestone, recently crossing the 40,000–member threshold? With the help of hard–working and passionate "govies" like you, we have achieved this significant number in record time…and we continue to grow!
"How did we get to this point and in such a short amount of time?" you might wonder. The answer can be simply summed up in one word. You!
If you haven't already, join GovLoop now (it's free and only takes 30 seconds)!
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