The job of the Communications and Marketing Committee is to promote Maryland‘s War of 1812 bicentennial celebration nationally and internationally, and to provide leadership for and coordinate efforts with other groups, including but not limited to the federal Star-Spangled Banner and War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission.
The Chair is Margot Amelia, Executive Director of the Maryland Office of Tourism.
Major accomplishments to date
- Efforts to coordinate the graphic identity of the Star- Spangled Banner National Historic Trail (which will survive the bicentennial and the Commission) with the brand identity for the Star-Spangled experience in Maryland have taken place. The imagery featured on the trail logo is also incorporated into the Commission’s logo and new standard issue Maryland license plate.
- On June 14, 2010, the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) released a new Star-Spangled themed standard issue license plate for all passenger vehicles, trucks, and multipurpose vehicles. The new plates feature a star-spangled theme and direct the viewer to the Commission’s website, www.starspangled200.org.
- A contract has been executed with Maryland Public Television for a 60-minute Byway travelogue, funded through the National Scenic Byway Grant. Filming has already begun and the project is expected to be completed by June 2012.
- A contract has been executed with the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) Press for the publication of a 100-150 page paperback map and guide to the Byway. The Commission will be working with the guide’s authors, Dr. Ralph Eshelman and Dr. Burton Kummerow, and partners, the NPS, MHT Press, Johns Hopkins University Press, and the Maryland Historical Society Press, on the project, which is expected to be completed by June 2012.
- The Baltimore National Heritage Area is creating a Chesapeake War of 1812 traveling exhibit for Maryland and the mid-Atlantic region. Grants from the Maryland Heritage Area Authority and the NPS are funding the project. The exhibit script is nearing completion and a contract has been executed with the exhibit designer. The project is expected to be completed in January 2011.
- The Commission established several online and electronic communication outlets. In September 2007, www.warof1812.org was created for the Commission’s partners to help keep them abreast of new developments. In September 2009, the consumer website, www.starspangled200.org, was launched to provide easy access to bicentennial developments in the marketplace. Key Notes, the Commissions monthly e-newsletter, began in July 2010 to publicize Commission and 1812-partner updates and highlight upcoming events, grant deadlines, and recent news. It now has almost 3,500 subscribers. The Commission also started a Yahoo listserv for partners to communicate directly with one another and established a presence on Facebook (as Maryland War of 1812 hero Joshua Barney) and Twitter (@warof1812).
- In 2004, based upon a comprehensive Maryland War of 1812 site inventory commissioned by NPS, OTD created a map and guide to encourage travel to visitor-ready sites. An updated edition was printed in September 2009 in sufficient quantity to meet demand until a new National Trail/Byway map and guide are created.
- In Sept. 2100, Maryland citizens are able to purchase reasonably-priced replicas of the 15-star, 15-stripe American flag. Maryland small business F. W. Haxel has agreed to sell and distribute the flags. Proceeds will go to three nonprofits: The American Flag Foundation, Friends of Fort McHenry and The Star-Spangled Banner Flag House. Downtown Partnership of Baltimore and the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission will assist in marketing the flag campaign.
Meeting notes
April 15, 2010
Development and Sponsor Relations
Education and Curriculum
Operations and Management
Programs and Events
Resource Stewardship and Visitor Experience
Transportation and Capital Infrastructure