By WILLIAM CLARK
Neptune has hired a public relations firm to help promote events and respond to resident issues.
Mayor Rob Lane said the Township Committee wanted to be proactive in getting information to the public, especially for township sponsored events that take place throughout the year.
Although each committee member has the time to speak during their meetings, it isn’t enough to truly promote what is happening around town, officials said.
The firm was scheduled to begin in January with the $24,000 a year contract with Ink Creative Strategies but was delayed until February.
Lane said representatives of the firm and township department heads met to discuss upcoming points of emphasis as well as events for the recreation department, Ocean Grove Chamber and other issues residents would find relevant.
Lane said the firm will do a major push on social media platforms in addition to other communication streams.
“We want to promote our events more,” Lane said. “Last year we had to cancel one because enough people weren’t coming.”
Ink Creative Strategies will also be providing press releases and response strategies when needed, Lane said. The township said that the North Jersey based firm has shown itself to be valuable to other municipalities around the state.
“Anything good or bad will be coming from them,” he said.
The contract lasts through the end of the calendar year but the township will have the ability to continue should it choose.
Lane said that the firm will focus on positive stories but they will also be entrusted to push out correct and timely information when it comes to topics residents may have questions about.
“We want to make sure everyone gets the right facts around town,” Lane said.
