Case
Study: American Airlines Center
 OVERVIEW:
"There are PR people who have a sense of what needs to happen
from a public relations standpoint," says Cityplace developer
Neil Sleeper.
"There are political consultants who have knowledge of the
political landscape."
"But," Sleeper adds, "I don't know of anybody else
who can match The Reeds' combination of the right ideas, great
political instincts, great public relations instincts, and the
strategies that are needed to get the best results."
Nowhere was this more evident than with the American
Airlines Center.
Located in Dallas' Victory Park neighborhood, the $420 million
arena is used for professional hockey, basketball and arena football
games as well as concerts.
STRATEGIES AND CHALLENGES:
It wasn't enough that the person who would become Dallas' next
mayor was virulently opposed to the City of Dallas putting money
into the deal and writing columns opposing the arena for Dallas
Observer.
And
it wasn't enough that the project was bumping into icebergs as
it navigated public opinion.
And
it wasn't enough that — from the time the negotiations began
until the vote in January of 1998 — the two teams that would
play in the arena went through ownership changes, the City of
Dallas elected a new mayor, and the front page of Dallas' daily
newspaper was filled with negative stories on the owner's demands
and the political instability of the situation.
On
top of all that, a majority vote from a deeply divided city council
was needed to approve the City's contribution of $125 million
in bond proceeds.
That's
when the bench emptied!
The
Reeds were called into play with their time-tested techniques
of managing polling, messaging, and leveraging opinion leaders
and Dallas' business leadership.
 RESULTS:
In a hard fought battle in an environment that had seen failures
of these types of projects across the country The Reeds managed
a victory which has now become what is known as Victory Park.
So far, the initial municipal investment of $125 million in bonds
for the American Airlines Center in 1998 has helped trigger more
than $600 million in other Victory Park developments, including
a W hotel, Ritz-Carlton and House of Blues entertainment venue
along with residential, retail and restaurant developments.
In 2008 the citizens of Dallas have realized over a billion dollars
in development for their initial investment of $125 million in
1998.
The
Reeds PRC can also meet your needs in corporate communications,
campaign consultation, community initiatives or event production.
Here are additional case studies to illustrate how:
Of
course, you can always learn
more about
The Reeds, Public Relations Corporation. |
