We guide our clients' public relations goals.

As the agency-of-record for Elevated Chicago since its 2017 launch, Rudd Resources has worked collaboratively with the program team and 17 steering committee organizations to define, shape and promote the initiative, along with the complex concept of equitable transit-oriented development (ETOD) around Chicago Transit Authority stations. In Year 1, we developed the logo, reframed the name, and created videos, messaging and training, the digital presence, and media coverage for community events.  In Year 2, we produced an ETOD symposium and a youth summit, and expanded the website. In Year 3, we produced the first virtual symposium, developed ETOD messaging to advance the city’s first ETOD policy plan recommendations, and created a three-year impact report. In Year 4, we helped launch a 9-week training program on equitable development for Chicago residents. Now, we’re advancing the ETOD policy plan with demonstration projects and more. The results: Our work helped lead to unanimous passage of the city’s first ETOD policy by the Chicago Plan Commission in July 2021 and $10MM in earmarked funds in the City of Chicago’s 2022 budget.

For the Chicago Dept. of Public Health (CDPH) with funding from the Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago, we worked hyper-collaboratively with CPDH to produce its five-year report, Healthy Chicago 2025. Challenged to both interpret information that was at times complex or dense, and to present information in a manner digestible by diverse readers, we responded to the agency’s bold plans with equally bold creativity: storytelling, futurism, hand-drawn illustrations and lots of custom vector images. The results: A terrific report (produced before and during a public health crisis) by an amazing team of public health practitioners, with our contributions.

For Prince Charitable Trusts, we created its first contemporary logo in its 70-year history. We also overhauled and rebranded its website to reflect the cohesion of its giving in three geographic areas and the thoughtfulness of its grant-making decisions, and launched its Instagram presence as another way to showcase its diverse grantees. The results: A fresh logo that celebrates the Trusts’ origins, a clean and clear website that welcomes curious visitors, and a first-time Instagram account that showcases beautiful grantee-sourced photography.

For the Forest Preserves of Cook County, we worked with The Conservation Fund, Anterro Group and the Metropolitan Planning Council of Chicago to produce a land acquisition plan for the southeast portion of Cook County. Pivotal was the inclusion of the impact of land acquisition on racial and health equity in this zone. While our partners handled research on land usage, zoning, development potential, etc., we led community outreach, creating a strategy for connecting with elected officials, subject-matter experts and diverse residents (parents, educators, retired citizens, et al) in the prioritized geographic area. We also designed and helped edit the plan for reader accessibility. The result: A well-received  report that has been  recognized with awards from the American Planning Association, Illinois Chapter, and the Friends of the Chicago River.