The Schertz Public Affairs Department recently attended the annual Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers Conference and was honored with six awards for projects and initiatives throughout 2023 and early 2024. The TAMI awards distinguish the efforts of municipal communications and marketing professionals from around the state. In 2024, the organization saw a record-breaking 688 award entries, an impressive 141 more entries than the previous year, making the competition especially tough.  

The department was thrilled to receive TAMI awards (first place) for the following projects: 

• Best External Magazine for Schertz Magazine - This external newsletter is published monthly by the City of Schertz Public Affairs Department. Unlike other cities that outsource printed newsletters or magazines to a third-party company, this publication is developed and edited completely in-house with assistance from a contracted graphic designer and freelance writers/photographers. 
• Best Educational PSA for State of the City Video - The 2024 State of the City video was inspired by the popular James Corden show segment, Carpool Karaoke. Our goal this year was to create a funny and engaging video that communicated city accomplishments and future plans while highlighting the city's commitment to a high quality of life and well-planned infrastructure.   

The department was honored to also receive the Award of Excellence (second place), for the following project: 

• Best Marketing Plan or Campaign for Join our team Recruitment campaign - In the Spring of 2023, the city launched a comprehensive recruitment campaign aimed at increasing awareness of the job opportunities within our organization while also enhancing positive perceptions of working for the City of Schertz. 

Finally, the department received three Awards of Honor (third place), for the following projects: 

• Best Use of Humor for State of the City Video - The 2024 State of the City video was inspired by the popular James Corden show segment, Carpool Karaoke. Our goal this year was to create a funny and engaging video that communicated city accomplishments and future plans while highlighting the cities commitment to a high quality of life and well-planned infrastructure.  
• Best Marketing PSA for Recruitment Video - Our primary goal for the recruitment video was to appeal to a diverse range of talents and skills by showcasing different job roles, emphasizing that various skills and expertise are valued. The utilization of "hero shots" featuring numerous city crews and teams served as a powerful visual representation, shining a spotlight on the often-overlooked heroes who tirelessly contribute to their communities. With a collaborative approach, our staff actively contributed to shaping the storyboard and refining the layout of clips and animations, resulting in a visually stunning and impactful final product.  
• Best Use of Short-Form Video for City Reels - The City of Schertz has embraced short-form videos, specifically Reels, as a dynamic tool for engaging with residents on social media. Reels offer a visually compelling and attention-grabbing format, allowing the city to showcase special events & programs, city messaging, and community connection.