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Getting off the ground: success for penzance heliport

In late 2016, Wild West Comms developed and delivered an award-winning press, digital and public affairs communications campaign for an exciting confidential project: plans to build a heliport in Penzance and reinstate the passenger helicopter service to the Isles of Scilly. 

Here’s how Wild West did it…

Meticulous planning…

Working with Penzance Heliport and its planning consultant WYG Wild West controlled and strategically timed the message of the plan to apply for planning permission to all stakeholders and media. At 6:00am on 25th Augusta carefully crafted announcement landed in the inboxes of all regional media and key stakeholders, including key opinion formers, public officials, and local businesses.

Created a buzz both on and offline…

Trusted media and stakeholders were briefed, in-confidence, ahead of launch day. Announcements via dedicated social channels, Facebook and Twitter as well as e-newsletters and a new website all went live as the news hit the headlines. If you were in Cornwall or the Isles of Scilly on 25th August you’d have struggled to miss the news which dominated the headlines, airwaves, regional television and social media channels.

Consulted and listened…

The key to any successful public affairs campaign is active listening with meaningful consultation - not just paying lip service. Therefore, core to Wild West’s campaign strategy it was essential, ahead of the planning application submission, to liaise with local officials, residents and interested parties.

The Wild West team also coordinated the public consultation event, which was designed to accommodate all stakeholders. This was widely advertised via media, social, adverts and invite letters delivered direct to 5,000 residents. 

Taking it a step further…

Wild West took the Penzance Heliport team door-to-door visiting residents near the proposed heliport resulting in over 40 conversations, capturing pre-consultation event questions and insights and building relationships with key audiences. 

And the result…

Pre-planning decision the Wild West team generated over 40 pieces of positive coverage and helped drive over 40,000 visits to the Penzance Heliport website and nearly 2,000 social followers. This contributed to the highest number of comments ever garnered on a Cornwall Council planning application, ultimately building a strong case for the planning proposal, and resulting in the unanimous decision to give the green light for the Penzance Heliport development.