The City of Tampa is leveraging social media platforms to unite residents (virtually) and keep the community informed amid COVID-19. The City of Tampa has over 300,000 followers on social media and has achieved nearly 8 million impressions on posts related to COVID-19.
“Social media allows us to stay connected and informed in a time when it’s easy to feel alone," says Mayor Jane Castor. “Our community is united now more than ever, just virtually. So if folks are communicating online, that’s where we need to be communicating too. We want to use every possible tool to keep residents safe and informed… If that means I have to learn a TikTok dance to make sure kids stay home--then so be it.”
The City has received national media coverage for its innovative use of social media during the COVID-19 public health crisis, including in a CNN Politics story with Dana Bash, a Smart Cities Drive story on the City’s Use of TikTok, a shoutout on Good Morning America, and an article by Narcity about Mayor Jane’s Karaoke Dance Party.
Daily Facebook Live Updates
Mayor Jane Castor hosts a daily Facebook Live update on the City of Tampa’s Facebook page, featuring important guests like Congresswoman Kathy Castor, Superintendent of Hillsborough County Public Schools Addison Davis, and Dr. Lockwood of USF Health Medicine.
These videos take place Monday - Friday at 4:30 pm and can be viewed at: facebook.com/cityoftampafl
**There will be no video today due to the Spring Holiday.
#HappyAtHomeTPA -- Keeping Residents Happy and Safe At Home
The #HappyAtHomeTPA campaign has branched across the City’s social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, to boost morale and communicate critical safety information to residents.
Some ways the City has been promoting this campaign include:
- An influencer marketing campaign inviting local creatives to share ideas of fun things to do while at home
- #HappyATHomeTPA video PSAs with sports stars, Gasparilla pirates, and other celebrities
- A #HappyAtHomeTPA Spotify Playlist
- #HappyAtHomeTPA games and templates, including a social distancing Bingo Sheet
- Tampa Parks & Recreation launched a #HappyAtHomeTPA video series showcasing activities and crafts families can do while at home
The City of Tampa and Mayor Jane Castor have also partnered with iHeart Media for Mayor Jane’s Karaoke Dance Party, which takes place nightly on local iHeart radio stations. The community can share their singing and dancing on social media by tagging @CityOfTampa and using #HappyATHomeTPA. Narcity
Using TikTok to Entertain and Educate a Younger Audience
The City of Tampa is also leveraging new social media platforms and trends, including TikTok to reach a younger audience. Coronavirus can affect individuals of any age or health status, which is why the city is embracing modern communications tools like TikTok to communicate important health/safety info in an engaging way. Videos include how to make a DIY face mask, a “Can’t Touch This” video, and a “Social Distancing Check” video.
Tampa Police Department, Tampa Fire Rescue, Tampa Parks & Recreation
In addition to the City of Tampa social media accounts, the Tampa Police Department, Tampa Fire Rescue, and Tampa Parks & Rec have been keeping the community informed via social media as well.
Yesterday, the Tampa Police Department went live from Tampa General Hospital where officers organized a “clap in” to thank our health heroes. The live video received over 200,000 views.
Stay Connected!
You can follow the City of Tampa’s Social Media Accounts at:
City of Tampa
www.facebook.com/cityoftampafl
Mayor Jane Castor
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