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City unveils 2025–27 communications plan and new brand; team to emphasize visuals, timely updates and neighborhood outreach
Summary
Tempe’s communications office presented a citywide communications plan and new brand to the council, describing investments in staff, technology and training to sustain an 80% satisfaction rating for public information and to roll out a set of brand priorities across departments.
City Communications Director Chris Baxter King and consultant David Leibovitz presented Tempe’s 2025–27 communications plan during the council work study session, outlining a new brand, a set of six brand priorities and implementation steps across departments.
Baxter King said the city expanded the communications team and updated tools and technology over the past year, including new camera and broadcast equipment, a public‑records system (Jvis a Voya—presentation name), new licenses for social publishing platforms and staff training. She noted a new visual identity and logo standards and said the community satisfaction score for city information is in the top 10% nationally.
Leibovitz described the plan’s brand priorities, which were drawn from resident and business surveys and internal engagement: celebrating diversity, encouraging civic involvement, respecting taxpayer dollars, public safety, neighborhood building and economic opportunity and public health. He said the priorities will act as a “map” to guide messaging across departments and that the plan includes department‑level guides, social media and video plans, and a schedule of workshops and brand training.
The presentation included examples of video and social content — including informational videos about Tempe Fire Medical Rescue apparatus and a brand video linking the priorities to everyday services — and a list of tactical activities: timely information, visual storytelling, spotlights and construction/CIP updates, social media collaborations with partners, and expanded community‑center storytelling. Staff asked council members to help by sharing posts and aligning public remarks with the brand priorities.
Council members praised the communications team, asked for periodic check‑ins and requested ongoing support for neighborhood outreach and brand workshops. No ordinance or new budget appropriation was proposed during the presentation; staff said training and rollout activities will be coordinated with departments and that the team will return for regular updates.
