» Home

» Programs and Services

» Post Secondary Education

» K-12 Education

» Offender Reintegration 

» Employment Statistics

» Business Development

» Employment Support 

< Kansas Web site

Workforce Network of Kansas
Marketing Task Force
January 9, 2002

Participating in the conference call: Caleb Asher, SRS; Ken Bell, WNKB; Dianne Glass, Regents; Kathy Ketchum, KDHR; Tamie May, Local Area IV; Vernon Nikkel, Local Area I; Jon Pettus, Local Area V; Al Rolls, Local Area III; and Barb Reavis, Workforce Network of Kansas staff

Agenda items for discussion:
** Vision and Mission
** Ethics of promoting Workforce Network of Kansas through private industry mailings
** Costs of 1-800 number vs. multiple directory listings
** Memo for internal launch
** Governor's column January 23
** Protecting the brand

Reavis read the Workforce Network of Kansas vision and mission to focus the meeting discussions.

Because a couple members had less than twenty minutes to stay on the call, the order of the agenda was re-arranged. Reavis allowed a few minutes for members to read the draft she had prepared and distributed by email on protecting the Workforce Network of Kansas brand. After discussion, task force members agreed there was no need for a different approach for state partner agencies. Most with local presence will have MOU's with local areas. State agencies without local presence but wishing to use the logo will make that request of the marketing and communication director of KDHR. Reavis will polish the recommendation and include it with the Board materials.

The Governor's staff attorney checked on the ethics of including promotional materials in private industry mailings. Since knowledge of the workforce system serves as a benefit to the taxpayer and not to the personal benefit of government officials, there is no problem. Local Areas might be best suited to work with their local utility companies. Ketchum will contact Wayne Franklin of Southwestern Bell (and former Secretary of KDHR) about the idea he had mentioned. Reavis had checked with UtiliCorps to see if they allowed others to insert flyers with their billings and they no longer allow that practice. Asher reported SRS has a couple mailings that would be very appropriate to use--one of low-income energy assistance and one on food assistance. Those are coming up so quickly now that it would be next to impossible to take advantage this year but could plan to use it next year.

Ketchum reported the telecommunications staff at KDHR have been tied up getting the online Unemployment Insurance claim process going. They haven't been able to research the question of costs for 1-800 number vs. multiple directory listings. Asher will see if anyone in the SRS office can help do that research.

Reavis reported she had drafted a letter that might be used for an internal launch. She is waiting on feedback about whether now is the right time to send it and whether it has the tone desired to come from the Governor's office.

The Governor's Public Information Officer has agreed to help craft the Governor's column on January 23, 2002 to be about the Workforce Network of Kansas. Ketchum reported the brochure is at the state printer. It is still expected to be ready and to the local areas in time for promotion efforts the week of January 21. This is the week chosen by the Marketing Task Force to engage in statewide promotional activities. Ketchum will distribute media contact lists to assist local areas with their efforts.

Ketchum reported the TABS promotion has been viewed as successful. About 31% of the claims are now coming in through Kansas Job Link.

The next meeting of the Marketing Task Force is set for February 13, 10 a.m. Members should expect that to be a conference call unless notified differently.