For over 27 years, the Governors of Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont have proclaimed April as Safe Digging Month to help make Dig Safe a household name, and to remind residents to call 811 before any dig project.
While our governors’ endorsement brings strong credibility to our cause, a Safe Digging Month declaration also grants us added visibility when kicking off our campaign in April.
Dig Safe also supports Common Ground Alliance's National Safe Digging Month to raise 811 awareness nationwide.
We believe that the key ingredient to a successful Damage Prevention program is a broad based campaign to get the word out. During the height of the excavation season from April to October, Dig Safe executes a far reaching multi-media promotion to heighten safe digging awareness among contractors and homeowners.
And to be sure we are successful in reaching key audiences, Dig Safe conducts surveys regularly so that we continue our success in making the right media choices for maximum impact.
We couldn’t ask for a more suitable spokesperson than Roger Cook, landscape expert from WGBH’s hit shows This Old House and Ask This Old House.
A well respected and locally famous professional, Roger is the perfect ambassador for urging our shared D-I-Y audience to call 811 before they dig.
We thank Roger and the good folks at WGBH for making it happen.
This TV spot airs over 3,000 times during the construction season. To optimize our reach, our strategy includes the local evening news on the highest rated stations in each market.
In addition, home improvement enthusiasts can’t miss our TV spots through specialty programming on cable.
Check us out during these popular shows on DIY Network, AEN-TV and HGTV:
We’re also grateful for plenty of free TV exposure throughout the construction season that is graciously donated by Dig Safe member companies Charter Communications and Comcast.
New England sports fans are nothing if not loyal, and they refuse to miss Sox and Pat’s games while driving, at the beach, and doing yard work. Sports radio has mass appeal with millions of listeners, and our live ads are broadcast over 48 New England radio stations throughout the season.
Commuters in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New Hampshire can’t help but take notice of our massive billboards at nine strategically placed, high-traffic locations…
…and, we fly a banner over crowded events, where it’s easy to see our safety message.
Dig Safe is overhead at the Boston Marathon, Boston’s July 4th Esplanade Celebration, The Charles Regatta, Falmouth Road Race, Nascar Sylvania 300 race at Loudon International Speedway, North Shore beaches (from Massachusetts to Maine) on Labor Day Weekend, over tailgaters at Gillette Stadium before Patriot’s games, and recently in Burlington, VT, at the Lady Antebellum concert.
We rely on the world’s most popular search engine to drive people to our website. Try Googling us using specific keywords (we’ve got over 200 different word combinations) and our ad and link appear. The clicks keep coming!
Follow us on FaceBook and Twitter for upcoming events, helpful tips, law changes, and good conversation about all things Dig Safe.
On August 11th (8/11 day!) Dig Safe will run ads in major newspapers and in Better Homes & Gardens magazine to remind Joe and Jane Public to call 811 before they dig.
Our ad also appears in over 25 trade publications in five states to reach industry stakeholders.
Dig Safe is present at over 25 trade shows and events each year throughout Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.
Representatives are on hand to distribute educational material, answer questions, and to encourage municipalities to become Dig Safe members.
Contractors also learn how Quick-Ticket, our web-based ticketing program, helps them make the most of their time.
Our ever-popular freebies (give-a-ways, handouts, schwag, chotchkies, we’ve heard them called many things) keep our phone number and website conveniently on hand.
We’re happy to provide these items to companies, associations, and community groups for their own Safety Days, training sessions, and other events. Click here to order these items for your own crew!
At the end of the year we send approximately 20,000 letters to area contractors, highlighting new law changes, call center technologies, and industry trends.
We include a list of emergency gas phone numbers by the Northeast Gas Association, and a Customer Service survey to make certain that we provide the best possible service for our callers.
Dig Safe member utility companies have an enormous impact on Dig Safe awareness through their own promotions, such as write-ups in customer newsletters, on bill inserts, and on their websites. In fact, a recent survey tells us that 44% of homeowners recall learning about Dig Safe in their utility bill.
A great resource to incorporate 811 messaging into your own company’s plans is the Campaign Materials and Media Toolkit at www.call811.com, a national program developed by the Common Ground Alliance.