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REFERENDUM CAMPAIGN SERVICES

Build a more secure future for your students and staff, by educating and empowering voters to support your district. Successfully passing a school referendum requires strategic, honest messaging that builds trust between the school district and community members.

By clearly communicating the value of your needs and effectively connecting them to your proposed solutions, you build understanding that drives results. Whether you’re just starting the process or have a fully developed referendum plan, we can help.

More than 90% of the referendum campaigns we assist with have been successful because

Communicating to staff, parents and community members is much different than a corporate audience. Our expertise in referendum messaging streamlines the process and takes less district time.

WE UNDERSTAND SCHOOLS

Our experience working in classrooms every week gives us the upper hand in calming a group of rowdy second graders after a camera enters the classroom and reassuring a nervous teacher during the interview process.

WE MINIMIZE DISRUPTION

Our team of cinematographers and editors allow for production schedules set on your terms. We aren’t freelancers, we are full-time professionals who have a vested interest in the overall success of your project.

WE ARE FLEXIBLE

We know time is of the essence when working on referendum projects. Our team can help plan, create and deliver content on a timeframe that meets your needs.

WE CREATE MORE QUICKLY

OLYMPIA
SCHOOL DISTRICT

DELIVERABLES:

COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNICATIONS PLAN
Slogan + Key Messaging
Social Media Content Calendar
Slide Decks

FILM
Education Fund Video
Operation Fund Video
Overview Video

DESIGN
Campaign Logos
Fast Facts Sheet + Infographics
Social Media Graphics
Newsletter Redesign
Informational Post Cards

This two-question campaign was successful with approximately 65% support for each question and increased community trust as a result of the face-to-face and transparent approach of the campaign. Our campaign addressed communication challenges facing a rural district spread over a large geographic area (the largest by square miles in Illinois) by empowering staff to share information and holding presentations at existing community meetings.

* 2024 NSPRA Golden Achievement Award

2024 NSPRA Golden Achievement Award Badge

SOUTH WASHINGTON COUNTY
PUBLIC SCHOOLS

DELIVERABLES:

FILM
Scripted Storytelling Video
Social Media Videos

South Washington County Schools came to Captivate with the desire to explain their budget needs in a way that was easy to understand and also attention grabbing. We worked with them to develop a concept that mixed interviews and supporting footage with an analogy of a budget balancing on a seesaw. This use of analogy helped the concepts stick and visually demonstrated the complexity of school budgets. Our crew spent one day on site with South Washington County Staff, and then a morning at a local park getting the necessary seesaw footage. Thinking outside the box helped create a concept that brought their campaign to life!

What our clients are saying about us

An effective, well-produced video has become one of our communications game-changers in the last few years because even without a referendum, many people are already so busy and on information overload.

Pushing the “play” button can be one of the easiest, quickest and most effective ways for school district residents to become informed about the challenges faced by districts when requesting a tax increase.

Captivate Media’s videos engage audiences and help to quickly inform a large cross-section of community members with the key, critical messages required for community members to make an informed decision and vote their conscience.

Anthony J. Sjolander | Director of Project Planning and Development | Kraus-Anderson Schools

ANNANDALE
PUBLIC SCHOOLS

DELIVERABLES:

FILM
Series of Live-Action Storytelling Videos

Captivate partnered with Annandale Public Schools to help illustrate the “why” behind their proposed referendum. We produced a series of 3 live-action storytelling videos by capturing a combination of interviews, school footage, motion graphics and music to reinforce their targeted key messages. Our crew needed one day of on-site production to get all the needed elements to tell this story. Video is an emotional medium and we can most effectively show the heart for the proposed updates through this channel.

BIG LAKE
SCHOOLS

DELIVERABLES:

FILM
Overview Storytelling Video

GRAPHIC DESIGN
Referendum Logo
Mailer
Postcard
Sandwich Board
Social Media Graphics

Big Lake Schools was in need of a video that could incorporate the overview messaging of their entire referendum ask. Captivate crafted a 3-4 minute referendum storytelling video that incorporated  interviews with district stakeholders, video footage and motion graphics to reinforce key messages. Our team also partnered with the district to design their referendum logo, direct mailers and more  for their campaign.

MORA
PUBLIC SCHOOLS

DELIVERABLES:

MOTION GRAPHICS
Animated Storytelling Video

Animation has the power to take information and make it clear, concise and engaging. Mora Public Schools came to us with a challenge of making their current local needs as well as the complexity of education funding tangible to the average voter. Captivate created a 1-3 minute animated video to help explain the complexity of school funding to voters and outline the need for specific school improvements. This animated video was scripted from start to finish and uses all motion graphics to illustrate the story. Complex topics benefit greatly from an animated style, as they can be broken into easy to understand and memorable visuals. Graphics created for this video can also be used in other referendum communications produced by the district.

Ready to get started with referendum campaign services?

Contact Us