Case Studies / Sacramento Office of Emergency Services

EmPOWERing Our Community to Be Prepared, Be Safe and Help Others

We initiated the campaign with human-centered design research to gauge residents’ awareness of Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS).

The Sacramento Office of Emergency Services wanted to increase awareness around Severe Weather Preparedness and show how having an emergency kit ready empowers people to help themselves, their family and neighbors in the event of a power outage.

Objective

SacOES sought to:

  • Increase awareness around Severe Weather Preparedness.
  • Encourage residents to have an emergency kit ready.
  • Empower individuals to help themselves, their families, and neighbors during power outages.
SacEMPOWERed Campaign Videos

Strategy & Approach

Uptown Studios developed a year-long campaign utilizing both digital and traditional marketing strategies to reach a broad audience within Sacramento County. The campaign focused on those most affected by power outages, such as individuals relying on medical devices requiring electricity.

We initiated the campaign with human-centered design research to gauge residents’ awareness of PSPS. The findings shaped the campaign’s branding, messaging, and tactics, ensuring they were effective and relevant.

Key messages centered around preparedness and community support, encapsulated in two animated videos with the themes:

  • “Power Out? EmPOWERed On!”: Featuring a hero flashlight, Flash, and his sidekick, Ray D.O., essential components of an emergency kit.
  • “Keep Calm and EmPOWER On”: A family enjoying their time despite a power outage, thanks to their emergency kit.

Implementation

The campaign included a variety of deliverables to maximize reach and impact:

  • Campaign Logo & Branding
  • Google Search Ads
  • Organic Social Media Posts
  • Digital Toolkit for Partners
  • Printed Emergency Kits (including items such as jar openers, coin bags, brochures, and zipper bags)
  • Radio Ads (in both English and Spanish, available in 30- and 15-second versions)
  • Animated Videos
  • Social Media Posts using video illustrations
  • Coloring Page for Kids featuring Flash and Ray D.O.

Conclusion

The SacEMPOWERed campaign, led by Uptown Studios in partnership with SacOES, successfully increased awareness about PSPS across Sacramento County. The strategic mix of digital and traditional marketing, backed by human-centered design research, ensured the campaign reached diverse demographics and was particularly effective for those most vulnerable to power outages. As a result, residents are now better equipped with the knowledge and tools to handle severe weather events, reinforcing the importance and impact of well-executed public service initiatives.