|
<br />3/2/2026 3:31:59 PM Page 6 of 19
<br />
<br />• Send all media advisories, alerts, videos, graphics, artwork, posters, radio/PSA/video scripts,
<br />storyboards, digital and/or print educational materials for grant-related activities to the OTS PIO
<br />at pio@ots.ca.gov for approval and copy your OTS grant coordinator. Optimum lead time would
<br />be 7 days before the scheduled release but at least 3 business days prior to the scheduled
<br />release date for review and approval is appreciated.
<br />• Send all PowerPoint presentations, online presentations and trainings for grant-related activities
<br />to the OTS PIO at pio@ots.ca.gov for approval and copy your OTS grant coordinator. Certified
<br />training courses are EXEMPT from the approval process.
<br />• The OTS PIO is responsible for the approval of the design and content of materials. The agency
<br />understands OTS PIO approval is not authorizing approval of budget expenditure or cost. Any
<br />cost approvals must come from the OTS grant coordinator.
<br />• Pre-approval is not required when using any OTS-supplied template for media advisories, news
<br />releases, social media graphics, videos or posts, or any other OTS-supplied educational material.
<br />However, copy the OTS PIO at pio@ots.ca.gov and your OTS grant coordinator when any
<br />material is distributed to the media and public, such as a news release, educational material, or
<br />link to social media post.
<br />• If an OTS-supplied template, educational material, social media graphic, post or video is
<br />substantially changed, the changes shall be sent to the OTS PIO at pio@ots.ca.gov for approval
<br />and copy your OTS grant coordinator.
<br />• News releases, social media posts and alerts on platforms such as NextDoor and Nixle reporting
<br />immediate and time-sensitive grant activities (e.g. enforcement operations, day of event
<br />highlights or announcements, event invites) are EXEMPT from the OTS PIO approval process.
<br />The OTS PIO and your OTS grant coordinator should still be notified when the grant-related
<br />activity is happening (e.g. car seat checks, bicycle rodeos, community presentations, DUI
<br />checkpoints, etc.).
<br />• Enforcement activities such as warrant and probation sweeps, court stings, etc. that are
<br />embargoed or could impact operations by publicizing in advance are EXEMPT from the PIO
<br />approval process. However, announcements and results of activities should still be copied to the
<br />OTS PIO at pio@ots.ca.gov and your OTS grant coordinator with the embargoed date and time
<br />or with “INTERNAL ONLY: DO NOT RELEASE” message in subject line of email.
<br />• Any earned or paid media campaigns for TV, radio, digital or social media that are part of a
<br />specific grant objective, using OTS grant funds, or designed and developed using contractual
<br />services by a subgrantee, requires prior approval.
<br />• Social media posts highlighting state or national traffic safety campaigns (Distracted Driving
<br />Month, Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, etc.), enforcement operations (DUI checkpoints,
<br />etc.), or any other grant-related activity such as Bicycle rodeos, presentations, or events, are
<br />highly encouraged but do not require prior approval.
<br />• Submit a draft or rough-cut of all digital, printed, recorded or video material (brochures, posters,
<br />scripts, artwork, trailer graphics, digital graphics, social posts connected to an earned or paid
<br />media campaign grant objective) to the OTS PIO at pio@ots.ca.gov and copy your OTS grant
<br />coordinator for approval prior to the production or duplication.
<br />• Use the following standard language in all press, media, and printed materials, space permitting:
<br />Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety,
<br />through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
<br />• Space permitting, include the OTS logo on all grant-funded print materials, graphics and paid or
<br />earned social media campaign grant objective; consult the OTS PIO and copy your OTS grant
<br />coordinator for specifics, format-appropriate logos, or if space does not permit the use of the OTS
<br />logo.
<br />• Email the OTS PIO at pio@ots.ca.gov and copy your OTS grant coordinator at least 21 days in
<br />advance, or when first confirmed, a short description of any significant grant-related traffic safety
<br />event or program, particularly events that are highly publicized beforehand with anticipated media
<br />coverage so OTS has sufficient notice to arrange for attendance and/or participation in the event.
<br />If unable to attend, email the OTS PIO and coordinator brief highlights and/or results, including
<br />any media coverage (broadcast, digital, print) of event within 7 days following significant grant-
<br />related event or program. Media and program highlights are to be reflected in QPRs.
|