COMMUNICATIONS AND CREATIVE SERVICES DIVISION (CCSD)
This Communications and Creative Services Division (now a part of Information Technology Services Department) was established in recognition of the fact that the City government has a responsibility for informing the public about changes, progress, developments and problems involved in municipal services.
CCSD HISTORY
There is a rhyme and reason for this Division.
A parcel of land became available in the City of Detroit near the riverfront. Two departments of the City government, in their zeal to announce the proposed use of the land, called the media. One department—Parks and Recreation—touted the environmental use of the land, stating its beauty was going to be preserved as park land, with trees, flowering plants, and access to the river. The other department—Planning—announced the land would be used to build an industrial plant. Thus, the same site had been announced to the media for two very opposed uses.
As one can imagine, much was made in the media about the mixed messages coming out of City Hall. Mayor Louis Miriani became the source of some ridicule, as it appeared his department heads were not on one accord. Miriani immediately set about correcting the embarrassing situation, and as a result a central office through which all contacts with the media would be made.
The original name given to the office was Division of Reports and Information Committee (DRIC). Later, it became the Department of Public Information. Today, that office is known as Communications and Creative Services Division, the City’s full-service public relations agency ensuring that the departments are “on one accord.”
This Division is responsible for providing centralized public relations services for the City and its departments and elected officials. CCSD develops public relations programs for City departments, provides consulting services, arranges public ceremonies, events, news conferences, prepares news releases, designs and prepares publications and provides the writing, photographic/video graphics and printing services for City departments and elected officials.
The Division prepares and prints a variety of pamphlets and other literature describing the services, which City departments provide to the public. Generally, this literature is available at no cost through the specific departments for which it is prepared.