2022 DC Debates

The DC Office of Campaign Finance (OCF) engaged Bayne LLC (Bayne) to produce and promote the 2022 Fair Elections Program Debates for the primary and general elections.  Bayne also recruited and coordinated with community-based organizations to promote the debates and engage the public.   

Strategic Communications and Marketing

• Developed and executed a public relations and media engagement campaign comprised of paid marketing, grassroots outreach, and media engagement.
• Utilized public service announcements, bus, radio, and digital advertisements, and brochures to encourage residents to have greater civic participation in the process by increasing voter awareness, efficiency, and confidence.
• Conducted outreach to community officials, ANC commissioners, and council members to share information about the debates.
• Created branding and promotional materials for the debates, including logos, letterhead, bus ads, social media ads, banners, and radio scripts.
• Developed a master activity and communications calendar.
• Developed and maintained the DC Debates website.
• Created a YouTube channel for live streaming and archiving the debates.
• Developed press/news release schedules.
• Used traditional and social media platforms, including a customized website,  and Facebook page to inform voters of the debate process
• For the primary debates:
  • Posted social media ads on Facebook and Instagram focused on select zip codes.
  • Ran 52 radio ads on WMMU and 55 on WKYS.
  • Ran 17 liveboard and mobile ads at Navy Yard, Waterfront, Rhode Island Avenue & Anacostia Metro Stations.
  • Ran advertisements on Urban One, Facebook, and Instagram.
  • Sent 300,000 text (SMS) messages to registered voters to promote the debates.
• For the general election debates:
  • Posted social media ads on Facebook and Instagram focused on select zip codes.
  • Ran three full-page color ads in the print edition of the Washington Informer, three web-blasts on the Washington Informer website, as well as web ads.
  • Ran 30 units of WMATA bus ads for placement on busses out of the Bladensburg, Andres, and Shepherd bus garages.
  • Ran a full-page ad in Hill Rag, East of the River, and MidCity DC editions of Capital Community News.
  • Sent text (SMS) messages to 136,817 voters in Wards 7 and 8.
• Drafted targeted messages about the scheduled virtual debates for DC Voters.

• Developed press releases and distributed them to an internal media list to publicize the debates and announce the moderators and responded to press inquiries to the DC Debates inbox.

• Advised and shaped OCF’s responses to inquiries regarding the 2022 election cycle virtual debates schedule.
• Created a YouTube channel for live streaming the debates.
• Fielded inquiries from the press and public.
• Organized press conferences and other debate events.
• Organized promotional and community centered programs and events.
• Conveyed OCF successes to the public using multi-media outlets.

Debate Process 

• Designed, executed, and promoted the entire virtual debate process for the citywide primary and the general election.
• Planned and organized two rehearsals for each of the primary debates for the offices of Mayor, Attorney General, and City Council At-Large.
• Planned and organized each primary debate for the offices of Mayor, Attorney General, and City Council At-Large.
• Planned and organized rehearsals for each of the general election debates for the offices of Mayor, and Attorney General, and City Council At-Large.
• Planned and organized each of the general election debates for the offices of Mayor, Attorney General, and City Council At-Large.
• Managed full site production for all primary and general election debates.
• Crafted messaging about the candidate disclosure, registration, and participation requirements for posting on the OCF website. Established communications procedures for various eventualities (debate cancelation, candidate withdrawal, candidate waivers of mandatory debates, requirements for Fair Election Program candidates and non-candidates).
• Established a rapid-response strategy and made technical staff available to address any technological issues that arose during the debates.
• Developed, proposed, and implemented the moderator selection process for OCF approval.
• Developed backgrounds and briefs for the debates, and briefings for the moderators.
• Worked with moderators to develop debate questions and solicited questions from voters via email and social media.
• Developed, proposed, and implemented the process for OCF approval of debate topics and questions.
• Prepared and disseminated debate requirements guidelines for the candidates participating in the citywide contested elections.
• Identified and trained moderators.
• Produced and streamed every debate.
• Issued a final report to OHR documenting the communications and debate process.
• Provided unedited recordings of the debates, including transcripts.
• Conducted a post-debate survey for participants. 

DC Debate Website: https://dcdebates.com/

DC Debates YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dcdebates671/featured