Realisation:

Large construction sites that last for years pose a high risk of a communication crisis, which can escalate into an operational crisis, for example through citizens' initiatives and pressure on local politicians. This then affects not only the image of a company, but also the construction project itself.

For this reason, Stadtentwässerungsbetriebe Köln commissioned DIE PR-BERATER to develop a strategic communications concept for the construction of the new Rhine culvert. The main focus was on two aspects:

1. Crisis prevention in view of the construction site and road closures over several years.
2. The presentation of the new Rhine culvert as the investment of the century for Cologne's infrastructure.

As part of the concept, we developed the messages and a detailed stakeholder analysis, analyzing potential risks and opportunities. On this basis, we developed a comprehensive catalog of measures. All the content of the measures was based on a clear chain of argumentation and storyline. In this way, we ensured a structured and transparent transfer of information right from the start.

With this strategic information policy, StEB Köln, with our support, communicated the messages and information to the various stakeholders such as residents, citizens' associations, local politicians and local businesses and schools at the appropriate times.

Realisation:

An important aspect of the information campaign was the exchange with residents and those affected by the construction sites. DIE PR-BERATER organized and moderated several public events and prepared the representatives of StEB Köln with a question-and-answer catalog on critical topics. Following the events, DIE PR-BERATER created an FAQ for the Rhine culvert website.

Realisation:

DIE PR-BERATER developed an image idea for the ground-breaking ceremony that illustrated the dimensions of the new Rhine culvert. It was important that the campaign worked both as an image and as a film for social media.

We produced a banner over five meters in size, which consisted of an outer frame and an inner circle the size of the largest culvert pipe. The inner circle could be separated from the frame using Velcro.

We stretched the banner between two excavators. Representatives of StEB Köln and the City of Cologne opened the banner, climbed through it and broke ground.