ST. PAUL, Minn., Feb. 23, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) has been awarded the Excellence in Communication Award. Presented quarterly, GovDelivery's award recognizes agencies that take an innovative approach to communication and public service through effective channels, collaboration, and compelling content.
The WDNR received the award for its effective use of digital communications to streamline its permit renewal process, save hundreds of thousands of dollars, and eliminate the need for employees to manage and maintain email distribution lists.
According to the WDNR's Margie Damgaard, the agency "had anticipated cost savings of $100,000 in the first year (using GovDelivery), but we actually saved that in the first three months alone."
Damgaard said printing, postage and graphic design work was significantly reduced once the agency began using digital communications methods in 2009.
"Employees no longer spend hours managing and maintaining email distribution lists," she said. "Instead they strategize outreach opportunities satisfied knowing our subscribers are receiving our information. Likewise, our efforts have helped to improve the public perception of our department and build customer communities online."
Digital communications dramatically improved the agency's public connections by increasing revenue collection from permit renewals. WDNR once mailed out reminders to existing boat permit holders, and noticed a drop off in the number of renewals and lagging revenues as a result. Damgaard said the agency in 2010 emailed the same people and suggested they sign up for a fishing or hunting license at the same time.
"Within one hour, we generated more revenue than we did in weeks with the old method," Damgaard said. "People here were elated – we had reduced a truckload of work processing checks as well as printing and mailing costs."
Damgaard believes that GovDelivery has improved communications with outdoor enthusiasts all over Wisconsin and raised WDNR's game to a new level.
"This is huge for us," she said. "We are giving people a mechanism to interact and engage with us – and that helps everyone."
About GovDelivery
GovDelivery helps government transform communication to support mission objectives. More than 400 government organizations work with us because of the results they can achieve with more effective digital communications. For more information, visit us online at: www.GovDelivery.com. GovDelivery is an ICG (Nasdaq:ICGE) partner company.
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