Case Study: Campaign for Change – The Rec Center

Client: The Rec Center
Project: Campaign for Change
Timeline: July – October
Services Provided: Political campaign strategy, community organizing, virtual event production, messaging and copywriting, digital advocacy, content creation, media outreach

Overview

Campaign for Change was launched to bring restorative justice for Walter Brown, a community member whose death became a rallying point for systemic reform in Hamilton County. In partnership with The Rec Center, Ballr Media led a multifaceted campaign with a clear objective: to demand the withdrawal of Bruce Hoffbauer from the sheriff’s race and elevate awareness of systemic issues in policing, mental health, and racial injustice.

In the wake of COVID-19 and heightened public scrutiny, the campaign required strategic adaptability, community-first leadership, and a digitally-driven approach that could engage, educate, and mobilize voters—safely and effectively.

Strategy

Primary Goals:

  • Build a community-led organizing team

  • Shift in-person demonstrations to a virtual advocacy model

  • Drive press attention through earned media and op-eds

  • Build momentum through digital petitions and grassroots content

  • Mobilize young voters and advocacy groups

Ballr Media developed a campaign roadmap rooted in digital organizing, virtual town halls, and social-first storytelling. Messaging and content were crafted weekly to address urgent justice issues and community concerns.

Execution

Community Organizing

  • Hired a lead organizer and built a local outreach team

  • Partnered with advocacy groups such as the Young Black Democrats

  • Shifted physical demonstrations to digital events for health and safety

Virtual Town Halls

  • Produced and hosted four themed virtual town halls via Zoom

  • Topics included Mental Health and Policing, Voter Empowerment, and the Breonna Taylor verdict

  • Guest speakers: Loren McCauley, Celeste Treece

  • Promoted community storytelling and sent over 100 individual outreach emails

  • 13% of attendees discovered events organically, with no paid media

Media and Press

  • Distributed two national press releases targeting Black media outlets

  • Coordinated radio interviews and published multiple op-eds

  • Supported long-lead press outreach via a contracted PR firm

Calls to Action

  • Launched a digital petition on Change.org with 200+ signatures

  • Created email and social campaigns for voter registration and education

  • Designed content for direct constituent outreach to elected officials

Content Creation

  • Developed weekly content for Instagram, Twitter, Facebook

  • Created branded messaging and graphics focused on action and education

  • Wrote website and email copy aligned with weekly advocacy themes
    Branded hashtags: #EmpowerTheVote, #Campaign4Change

Results

  • Deployed a full grassroots organizing team in under 60 days

  • Hosted four high-impact virtual events focused on justice and community action

  • Built a fully digital petition and mobilization pipeline

  • Secured national press distribution through Black-owned media outlets

  • Amplified local conversations around police accountability and voter empowerment

Key Insights

  • Digital-first strategy is essential when in-person organizing isn’t possible. Virtual town halls created a safe, scalable model for political education.

  • Messaging consistency builds trust. Weekly themes kept content relevant and rooted in community concerns.

  • Organic engagement outperforms paid ads when messaging is emotionally resonant and clearly actionable.

  • Agility is a competitive advantage. Being able to pivot in response to public health and political factors was critical to campaign credibility.

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