On October 18, 2010 the Port of Kingston launched a new express, passenger-only ferry service between Kingston, Wash. and downtown Seattle called SoundRunner. In order to drive awareness of the service launch, the ferry program manager reached out to Communiqué PR to enlist our help with outreach to local print, online and broadcast media to drive coverage before and on the day of the launch.
Our scope of work included working with the Port of Kingston to develop key press materials and talking points about the service. In addition, we developed and distributed a press release announcing the service, which was sent via buddy e-mail to more than 40 key Seattle-based reporters who cover local news and/or transportation.
As a result of our efforts, we secured more than 32 stories about the service with publications and outlets such as Seattle Times, SeattlePI.com, Associated Press, KING 5, Q13, KOMO 4 News, KUOW FM, North Kitsap Herald, Kitsap Daily and Kitsap Sun. Additionally, the news was widely tweeted about on Twitter by both consumers and media outlets.
The Port of Kingston offered free rides on the first day of the service and had an overwhelmingly positive response from passengers on both sides of Puget Sound with commuters, joyriders and even students riding the ferry. Overall, the coverage surrounding the service was extremely positive and positioned the SoundRunner as a reliable, comfortable commuting option to connect passengers from the Kitsap area to downtown Seattle either for work and play.