CASE STUDY: GCI TERRA LAUNCH EVENTS

General Communication Inc. is Thompson & Co.’s longest-standing client. T&C has worked with the telecommunications company for more than 30 years, assisting with its overall corporate communications program, financial relations program, crisis communications, special events and more.

One of GCI’s greatest accomplishments was the completion of its Terrestrial for Every Rural Region in Alaska (TERRA) network in 2017. TERRA is among the largest microwave fiber networks in North America and fulfills GCI’s mission to deliver high-speed internet to more than 80 remote communities in Western Alaska. Thanks to TERRA, 45,000 more Alaskans have high-speed internet and health facilities. Schools and libraries can also offer services they haven’t been able to in the past. T&C has done extensive work to publicize the significant impact that TERRA has had on the Arctic.

MEDIA RELATIONS

T&C’s media relations aligned with the major milestones TERRA reached during its seven-year construction phase. This included press releases, coordinated media attendance at milestone events, press conferences and national media outreach.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

To celebrate the completion of TERRA, T&C helped plan and execute community events to close out 2017. The first took place in Bethel, Alaska, a hub community now connected through the 3,300-mile network and a rural broadband success story. Over 1,000 community members came out for the event. U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan were also in attendance to celebrate TERRA’s completion.