After many months of collaboration by members of the Think Blue Coalition, Think Blue Massachusetts made its first public appearance in the spring of 2006.  In a short time, Think Blue has made tremendous progress and enjoyed many successes:

Set Goals

1. Developed and expanded the Think Blue Coalition, a partnership effort of diverse stakeholders serving as the advisory entity to Think Blue. (Ongoing since 2004)

2. Conducted an extensive telephone survey in the Massachusetts Bays watershed to better understand what citizens know about stormwater pollution, better identify and understand our target audience, and help shape campaign messages and approach. (Spring 2005, paid for by a  Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management “Coastal Pollution Remediation” grant)

3. Created a branding image for this unique campaign that includes an identity, logo, and mascot, and related promotional items such as tote bags, t-shirts, and rubber ducky souvenirs.  (Summer 2005, supported through an EPA 104b3 grant and Gulf of Maine Council grant)

4. Created a Think Blue media kit for MBEA to use when approaching specific businesses and foundations for support (Summer 2005, supported through a Massachusetts Environmental Trust grant).

Created Messages

5. Based on market research, developed three unique print ads focusing on pet waste, cigarette litter, and fertilizer use, and a Think Blue brochure that describes the campaign and stormwater  pollution problems and solutions. (Summer 2005)

6. Customized the 30-second public service announcement “Fowl Water” (created by Think Blue San Diego) and distributed it to all public cable access stations in the watershed. (Spring 2006)

Went Online

7. Developed an interactive website (www.ThinkBlueMA.org) that provides more in-depth information about stormwater pollution, what individuals can do to help protect coastal waters, a calendar of events, and opportunities to view campaign materials such as the ads and public service announcement. (Spring 2006)

Went Public

8. Created an interactive exhibit with Stormy (our 15’ inflatable duck mascot), Think Blue materials, and promotional items. The exhibit includes a portable DVD player to show the public service announcement, a fishing game and watershed model for kids, and the Clean Water commitment pledge. (Spring 2006)

9. Participated in numerous public events throughout the Massachusetts Bays watershed, sharing our clean water message with more than 10,000 people since our first public exhibit on Cape Cod in May 2006. (Ongoing since Spring 2006)

10. Developed a series of press releases to generate interest in the campaign and promote the clean water message while attention was focused on the spring floods of 2006. (Spring 2006)

11. In partnership with the Charles River Watershed Association, placed the three different Think Blue ads on eighteen MBTA subway station platforms for a period of four months. (Summer 2006)

12. Issued the Stormy Report, a quarterly newsletter update for distribution to the Think Blue Coalition and other partners. (Ongoing since Summer 2006)

13. Received a $25,000 grant from the U.S. EPA to develop the Think Blue Toolbox and improve the Think Blue exhibit. (September, 2006)

Empowering Citizens

14. Presented at the Environmental League of Massachusetts’ “Earth Night” celebration, and won “Best Exhibit in the Show” award. (November, 2006)

15. Received a $10,000 grant from the Gulf of Maine Council on the Environment to launch the Think Blue Toolbox in the spring of 2008. (Summer 2007)

16. Developed a Toolbox implementation strategy in partnership with the Think Blue Coalition. (Ongoing since Fall 2007)

We look forward to working with you to add to this list of accomplishments as the Think Blue Massachusetts campaign continues to grow!