An Inside Look at the 2009 JCPB Annual Report

A Public Relations major at ETSU, I have seen many different types of annual reports made for all types of companies. Upon coming to JCPB as an intern, my first assignment was to help the public relations department with this year’s annual report. I was interested to learn that JCPB began producing their annual report online. I believe this is a step in the right direction for the company. Not only does it allow customers to have full access to the report online at anytime, but it also reinforces JCPB’s commitment to make the company go green by cutting costs instead of trees.

The first thing I wanted to do before starting the annual report was to go back and look at the pervious annual reports. I could tell that the Public Relations department did a great job and that the reports seem to get better each year. I thought to myself and wondered how I could help to make this year’s report better still. Well, when I came onto the project, I was told that the report was to be a mix between traditional annual report information and a comic-like format.

My first impression was that the comic book style would not do well. I felt older readers might not engage in the report and that they would just get confused if the online application of the comic book wasn’t user friendly. Once I actually had the chance to engage in the work, however, my perception changed. The scripting was great and easy to follow and the digital design is very user friendly. I thought this was a critical step that needed to be emphasized in order to keep the customers attention.

I really enjoyed being a part of the process of creating JCPB’s annual report. The PR staff was great in explaining the process to me while allowing me to help and be hands on. They gave me freedom to share my thoughts and ideas and allowed me to contribute in any direction I wanted. I think this year’s annual report is definitely set to win another award, but I must say that next year’s will be even harder to top again.

By: Ashley Cline; JCPB Public Relations Co-op

2009 Annual Report is Ready to View Online!

The Johnson City Power Board's 2009 annual report, "Will Power No. 1" is finished and online for your viewing pleasure. This marks this second year the JCPB has published a paperless annual report by creating an interactive website to convey its key accomplishments of the year along with comprehensive financial and auditor reports. Additionally, the 2009 annual report introduces JCPB's newest recruit, Will Power. Will is a fictitious character which personifies all the greatest qualities of JCPB's employees. He is a super hero locked in battle against forces of nature and inefficiency which constantly threaten the integrity of the electric grid.

The JCPB's 2009 annual report offers a unique medium to present an annual report and reinforces a departure from traditional print media which began with the award winning "Making Your Connection" 2008 annual report. After many months in competition, "Making Your Connection" emerged victorious having earned a gold medal in both the local and regional ADDY Awards along with two more in the international Davey Awards. While it remains to be seen whether or not the 2009 report will compete to the same level as its predecessor, JCPB and its counterparts at Stellar Studios hope their latest collaboration will be well received by our community.

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