Elise Scheve Josh Handler Alix Gocal Bridget Doyle

1. Elise Scheve Josh Handler Alix Gocal Bridget Doyle

2. The USO Bringing Soldiers and Families together: 70 years of Service, 70 years of Support.

3. Who we are • Frontline Consultants is made up of experienced and skilled professionals. • Media Relations Director • Publicity and Events Director • Planning Director • Public Speaking Director

5. Objectives - Our Plan: • Main target audience is community • An event and press based campaign surrounding the 70th anniversary of the USO. • To use family value to gain awareness from the community.

6. Message 70 years of Service, 70 years of Support. Objective: To educate and raise awareness about the United Services Organization to the public. “For 70 years we have been connecting men and women of the armed services with their families.”

7. SWOT Analysis Overview S W STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES • Relevancy • Being a nonprofit organization • Been around for 70 years • Strong base of volunteers and supporting a good cause. • Lack of visibility to the public • Controversy surrounding issue O T OPPORTUNITIES THREATS • Value of family, self and safety. • Emotional and sentimental appeal used to attract attention/get reactions • 70th year celebration • Social Media • Message could get lost with similar organizations • Controversy surrounding the • “Life cycle” of issue

8. Mediums • Events • Interviews • Radio • PSA • Email Blasts • Flyers / Brochures • Posters

9. Public Service Announcement • The USO: Bringing Soldiers and Families Together- 70 years of Service, 70 years of Support • To enhance the relationship between the U.S. Armed Forces, family and community. • Educate the community • Run throughout entire six months. • Available on website and frequently mentioned on social media sites.

10. PSA - “70 Years of Service, 70 Years of Support Objective: To educate and raise awareness about the United Services Organization to the public. Language when the PSA starts: “For 70 years we have been connecting men and women of the armed services with their families.” Description of PSA: Iconic Ray Charles “America the Beautiful” music will be playing in the background slowly and lightly. Gary Sinise will be the background voice. Across the screen pictures will come up of former men and women that have served in the military. They will be pictured with their families in their uniform. Across the bottom of the screen it will say what war they served in and from what years. This PSA focuses on family and how important it is to the people who serve in the military. Language during the PSA: “Family is their strength. It is what gets them through tough times. Imagine being away from your home, in a foreign country, fighting for what you believe in. They are your brothers, sisters, moms, dads, cousins, we all know somebody. Wouldn’t you want to help? We need your support to help us continue. Please visit us at www.uso.org/illinois. 70 years of Service, 70 years of Support.”

11. Events • Launch Event • Give Thanks to Our Families, Our Troops • Share the Holiday Warmth • Hearts for Help

12. Launch Event • Navy Pier, September • Gary Sinise and Jennifer Love Hewitt will be present • Flyers and brochures will be distributed • Watch PSA with overseas military via Skype • Talk with troops via Skype • Free food and drinks from famous Chicago restaurants

13. Give Thanks to our Troops, Our Families • This event will start at the end of September and run throughout the month of November. • The USO will set up an event where people can donate food to help families of the soldiers enjoy the holidays. • Bins will be located at major retailers such as Dominick’s, Target and Jewel Osco • Radio station 97.1 FM The Drive will be broadcasting live from one of the participating stores. This will help raise awareness for the USO, inform the audience of locations they can donate, and other ways they can get involved

14. Share the Holiday Warmth • Ongoing event that will happen during the month of December. • USO will be offering Active Member Day at Museums throughout Chicago. Some of the museums that will be involved are: • The Shedd Aquarium • The Field Museum, • Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier • The Museum of Science and Industry. • Brochures will highlight what the USO does and upcoming events that they will be having. • The Share the Holiday Warmth event purpose is to get participants involved and to remember what the holidays are all about.

15. Hearts for Help Final event that will happen towards the end of our campaign in February. Family dance that will be held at Navy Pier. All of the media and other events that take place will be leading up to this event to celebrate the past 70 years of work and service that the USO has done for Illinois military families and duty members. Food, dancing, and speeches will be given throughout the night. Soldiers who have returned home from war will be present and will be invited as VIP’s. The VIP package includes free entrance, special recognition, and USO gift packages from the City of Chicago. Rahm Emmanuel Mayor of Chicago will give a congratulatory speech recognizing the troops that are present and ones that are still serving. Recognition will also be paid to the USO and the Service that they have provided over the past 70 years and how they will continue to provide service. Gary Sinise will be the host of the dance considering his heavy involvement in the USO Illinois Chapter.

16. Utilizing • Posters, brochures, and flyers will be available, displayed, and distributed over the 6 months. • Display USO message. • Inform about upcoming events.

17. Interviews • Soldiers • Veterans • Families • Volunteers Interviews will be held on radio spots (local Chicago stations). Interviews will also be played on website.