Downtown Oakland Association/Lake Merritt-Uptown District Association District Identity and Streetscape Improvement (D.I.S.I.

) Committee Meeting December 20, 2012 11:00 a.m. CBD Conference Room - 388 19th Street Present: Sara May, Chris Curtis, CJ Hirschfield, Jesse Nelson, Laurie CoopermanRosen, Lucinda Alipio

Excused Absence: Drew McGowan Staff: Steve Snider/District Manager, Andrew Jones/District Services Coordinator, Victoria Decker/Office Manager, Fiona Simms/Administrative Assistant Nancy Amaral/Gallen.Neilly & Associates

PR Consultants: Guests:

Kim Bardakian/Cathedral of Christ the Light, Dane Hooks/Cassidy Turley

Discussions held and decisions made by the DISI Committee

Subject
Introductions Public comment and announcement Approval of the minutes of November 19, 2012

Discussion

Action?

The minutes of the November 19, 2012 were presented for review.

Laurie moved and Sara seconded the motion to approve the minutes of November 19, 2012 as presented. The motion was approved unanimously.

Review of committee roster and introduction of new members

Steve introduced Jesse Nelson of CIM Group, who provided a brief explanation of his background and interest in participating with the DISI Committed. Kim noted that most of Oaklands PR is reactive, and she suggested that we focus our efforts on pushing positive stories proactively. There was much discussion of billboard marketing. Sara noted that she would like to pick the top three priority projects to be completed in 2013. It was also mentioned that staff should reach out to Visit Oakland to participate on the DISI committee.

388 19th Street Oakland, California 94612 DOA Phone 510.238.1122 LMUDA Phone 510.452.4529 Fax 510.452.4530 info@downtownoakland.org www.downtownoakland.org info@lakemerritt-uptown.org www.lakemerritt-uptown.org

2013 meeting schedule Update on holiday shopping campaign

Update on general marketing projects

Overview of DISI projects, and refocusing of 2013 priorities

Other

The committee decided to meet at 11:00 a.m. on the 4th Thursday of every month, keeping in line with the current schedule. Steve explained that we worked with Oaklandish, Oakland Local, and other groups to produce Holiday Shopping marketing material. The districts paid for the printing of brochures that listed local businesses as well as an ad in the East Bay Express. He also noted that we paid popuphood for work they did with PSAI on a holiday shopping ad. Steve noted that the districts decided to wait until the new year to begin the promotion of the Ambassador Gift Card, which is a branded Oakland Grown gift card preloaded with $2.00 that will be distributed to individuals in the districts who have performed good deeds. The committee asked if we received any response from the merchant survey that we helped Oaklandish conduct. Staff responded that we have reached out to Angela Tsay and she indicated that efforts would resume in 2013 Kim asked what the levels of readership are for the East Bay Express, and if the East Bay Express is the best place for our ads. CJ suggested looking into Oakland Magazine. Jesse noted that our target audience should be the workforce downtown. Kim suggested advertising in BART, AC Transit, and other transportation routes to reach that audience. Steve mentioned that he has experimented with paid Facebook ads for Oakland Venue Management, and he believes they have increased his social media reach. Steve reminded the committee that the In the Name of Love: MLK Musical Tribute is on January 19th at the Paramount. The districts will co- host an information table in the lobby along with Numi Tea and the ACTION committee.

Minutes taken by: Fiona Simms, Administrative Assistant