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Social media helps the public #catchKenny

Did you #catchKenny this past summer? Several news organizations did.

Earlier this year, the Office of Communication tipped off news outlets by engaging in its first full-fledged campaign on social media. The campaign, called #catchKenny, was designed to showcase the department’s newest under-bridge inspection truck, or UBIT, which is nicknamed Kenny.

Kenny is equipped with an arm that can extend 62 feet under, around and in the substructure of bridges, making him the one UBIT that can inspect every bridge in the state (if it does not have a load limit).

Inspecting more than 100 bridges throughout the summer, news crews found Kenny all over the state, including North Idaho, Boise and Twin Falls. Media attention helped showcase employees’ efforts as they worked to ensure the safety of the public.

“This campaign was successful in the sense that it generated a response from the public and the media,” said Jessica Williams, D4 Public Information Specialist and member of the department's social media team. “It was the first time our department developed a campaign solely for social media that not only helped spread a positive message, but also highlighted every region in our state.”

Some users may find Facebook only useful on a lunch break or when searching for an old friend, but for organizations like ITD, it is a powerful tool, and one that cannot be ignored.

“With social media, we’re able to do so much, from sharing vital information like road closures, to explaining our operations and projects, and even engaging directly with members of the public,” Williams said.

"We’re so grateful for all of the support we received from the bridge department, especially UBIT coordinator René Leon,” Williams said. “We hope this is just the beginning of many successful campaigns to come, and we look forward to working with everyone at ITD to feature the great work our employees do and help spread our mission.”

If you have any ideas for the next social media campaign, please send them to Jessica.Williams@itd.idaho.gov. If you have any photos of #catchKenny, please pass those on to Rene.Leon@itd.idaho.gov.