Will Deliver More Info To New Yorkers
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced last Thursday, Feb. 16, that the city is launching four new central digital media channels for city information as part of Social Media Week.
The NYCGov social media channels will allow the city to effectively engage with residents by providing instant access to relevant and useful information about life in the city. The Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment will maintain each of the pages, as outlined in the Road Map for the Digital City by the Mayor and Chief Digital Officer Rachel Sterne in May 2011.
Bloomberg made the announcement at the headquarters of Tumblr, one of the city’s fastest-growing technology companies, and was joined by Tumblr CEO David Karp, Cornell NYC Tech Campus Dean Daniel P. Huttenlocher, Chief Digital Officer Sterne, New York City Economic President Seth Pinsky, Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment Commissioner Katherine Oliver and representatives from Bitly, Buddy Media, Facebook and Foursquare.
“In this era of the information age, these social media platforms are where so many New Yorkers are increasingly getting their news, conducting their business, sharing their opinions, and living their lives” said Bloomberg. “With these new channels, the City will be able to get New Yorkers the information they need in the way they want to get it.”
Bloomberg launched four central digital media channels-Facebook, Foursquare, Tumblr and Twitter- where the city will have a presence under the NYCGov handle. On these channels, the city will centralize, expand and streamline its messaging for critical information, offering toplevel news. Each of these custom pages has been created in partnership with the platform on which it is presented.
In addition to these channels, the city also partnered with Bitly to provide a custom link-shortener that shortens any nyc.gov webpage link to on.nyc.gov. With the NYC Gov Bitly shortlink, users know that anytime they see a custom on.nyc.gov link, it will direct them to an official New York City government webpage.
The city also partnered with Buddy Media platform, who provided their tools and advisedon the development and launch of the city’s Facebook page.
To complement the city’s social medial channels, the multi-media video series InformNYC will provide New Yorkers with useful information about city services by answering the most frequently asked questions received by 311. The videos provide helpful tips on what to do and which agencies to contact for a variety of situations that New Yorkers face on a regular basis, including how to report street noise, request a birth certificate, locate an item left in a taxi, among others.
InformNYC will appear online on the city’s social media channels, on the city’s television stations, and in taxi cabs. The videos can currently be viewed on NYC.gov by clicking on the InformNYC button.
“When the mayor and I outlined the Digital Road Map last May, we recognized that for the City of New York to realize its digital potential, we need to embrace new technologies. We also know that it is crucial that we use digital media in a way that is efficient, making life easier for New Yorkers and always meeting their needs,” said Sterne. “The NYCgov channels we are introducing today achieve the best of both worlds, and thanks to support from our partners, we know that we are able to go above and beyond in taking advantage of all that Bitly, Buddy Media, Facebook, Foursquare, Tumblr and Twitter have to offer New Yorkers.”
Millions of people use social media across the five boroughs, and its use has grown exponentially over the last three years. It has increasingly become a resource during emergencies, with over 400,000 impressions taking place during Hurricane Irene.
The citywide accounts will allow New Yorkers the opportunity to follow the city and get the most important news without needing to follow each of the over 200 other social media channels that city agencies currently offer. Residents can also continue to follow these additional social media channels to receive relevant updates about each agency’s initiatives.
@NYCGov on Twitter
The city’s Twitter account @nycgov, captures the pulse of New York City government, with tweets about news and services that impact their lives. Residents can find out if alternate side parking rules are in effect and schools are in session, read about free events in their neighborhood, get emergency notifications that could affect them and their commute, see what Bloomberg is doing and learn about city programs as soon as they launch. Visit twitter.com/nycgov.
NYC Gov’s Facebook page enables New Yorkers to get all the information they need in one place and share it with friends. NYC Gov’s Facebook includes videos, new city initiatives, interactive features such as polls and a Citywide events calendar, allowing residents to engage with the City of New York and other New Yorkers on NYC Gov’s Facebook wall. Visit facebook.com/nycgov.
Tumblr
NYC Gov’s Tumblr is a blog that publishes frequent updates on the topics that matter most to New Yorkers, like schools, jobs, getting around the city and much more. The NYC Gov Tumblr features up-to-theminute announcements, exclusive photos from city events and Mayoral visits, as well as quick videos that answer frequently asked questions on city services. Users can browse posts by major themes, share them by reblogging, and even submit a question to Mayor Bloomberg with the #AskMike feature.
Catch up on what’s going on in NYC by visiting nycgov.tumblr.com
Foursquare
NYC Gov’s foursquare presence includes a brand-new Big Apple badge, lists and tips for a range of City spaces across the five boroughs. If residents want to find something to do, they can follow NYC Gov on foursquare for places to go from parks and pools to museums and landmarks.
Whether biking near Prospect Park or walking in Central Park and interested in finding out about more to do in the area, NYC Gov’s foursquare account brings New Yorkers fun, helpful facts each time they check in to city spaces-all while they earn a foursquare badge. Check out foursquare.com/nycgov.
