Social Media and Municipalities: Risks and Rewards

Municipal use of social media has grown 600 per cent in 15 months. Brian Lambie of Redbrick Communications and Dan Michaluk of Hicks Morley LLP discuss the risks and rewards from public relations and legal perspectives.
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Social Media and Municipalities: Ten we Like

Between April 2010 and August 2011, the number of Ontario municipalities using social media grew from about 25 to more than 125. That represents a 600 per cent increase in a 16 month period and the list continues to grow.

We are often asked to identify municipalities that are doing it “right” when it comes to social media. Here is a list of ten Ontario municipalities – big, small, urban and rural – that we believe are using social media in a way that works well for their community.

• City of Burlington on Twitter and Facebook
• Municipality of Clarington on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube
• City of Kitchener on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube
• City of London on Twitter and Facebook
• Township of Nipigon Twitter and Facebook
• Town of Orangeville on Twitter and Facebook
• City of Oshawa on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube
• City of Ottawa on Twitter and YouTube
• Township of Terrace Bay on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube
• York Region on Twitter and Facebook

Pictures Worth a Thousand Words

One fairly simple way that municipalities can improve their marketing and communications programs is by applying a photo journalist’s eye to their use of photography. Click here to learn how. (PDF Download - 785Kb)