In the fall of 2001, Flagstone Properties, an unknown developer vying to build a $281 million mega-yacht marina on Miami’s Watson Island retained the services of Kiskinis Communications. The developers sought to create Island Gardens, a waterfront urban village along one of the last pieces of undeveloped waterfront property in the City. They answered an RFP issued by the City of Miami, and were one of three development teams submitting proposals competing to enter a unique public-private partnership with the City. Kiskinis Communications developed a strategic communications program that would include the following objectives:

Objectives
a. Educate target audiences about the strength of the developers’ world-class development team.
b. Create an environment where the City Selection Review Committee viewed Flagstone Properties as the number-one candidate.
c. Position Flagstone Properties as the lead candidate to develop Watson Island in the eyes of the Miami City Commission who were scheduled to vote on the choice of developers.
d. Have the project win Miami voter approval in the Nov. 6 referendum.

Action
1. Implement media relations effort to communicate the strength of the Flagstone Properties world-class development team.
2. Execute public affairs program targeting South Florida influentials gaining their endorsements and support for the project by development and delivery of key messages.
3. Implement crisis communications plan to mitigate the efforts of a misinformation campaign by providing factual information on the Flagstone Properties developer that could be substantiated by independent third-parties.
4. Execute editorial board meetings, interviews and develop an ad campaign that highlighted the attributes of Island Gardens capitalizing on its appeal as a world-class family destination featuring ample amounts of open public space and the creator of jobs.

Results
1. The City Selection Review Committee selected Flagstone Properties as the number-one developer to the City Commission.
2. The Miami City Commission unanimously recommended Flagstone Properties as the developer of Watson Island.
3. On Nov. 6, a resounding 64.8 percent of Miami voters showed their support for Flagstone Properties as project developers by voting to endorse the City Commission’s choice.