November 2025 Board of Health Meeting - August 15 - September 14, 2025 Communications Update Information Report
PREPARED BY: Communications Department
DATE: 2025-11-20
SUBJECT: Communications Report September 2025
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE:
Provide regular marketing and communication updates to the Board of Health.
| SOURCE | August 15 – September 14 | July 15 – August 14 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| News Releases, Media Advisories and Statements, or Notices Issued | 6 | 16 | -10 |
| Media Requests Received | 10 | 20 | -10 |
| Wechu.org pageviews | 87,912 | 110,031 | -22,119 |
| YouTube Channel Subscribers | 1,852 | 1,843 | 9 |
| Email Subscribers | 6,649 | 6,664 | -15 |
| Emails Distributed | 10 | 20 | -10 |
| Facebook Fans | 20,034 | 19,996 | 38 |
| Facebook Posts | 71 | 88 | -17 |
| Twitter Followers | 8,312 | 8,312 | - |
| Twitter Posts | 70 | 86 | -16 |
| Instagram Followers | 2,119 | 2,104 | 15 |
| Instagram Posts | 38 | 36 | 2 |
| LinkedIn Followers | 1,979 | 1,962 | 17 |
| LinkedIn Posts | 17 | 31 | -14 |
| Media Exposure | 231 | 245 | -14 |
Data Notes can be provided upon request.
Media Exposure Overview Graph
Notes: From August 15 – September 14, we experienced three main peaks in media exposure related to the weekly provincial measles summary article. Additionally, on August 27, we had a peak in exposure related to the expansion of a mental health service in partnership with the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board. A smaller spike in coverage on August 22 was related to the issuing of an opioid alert.
Website Overview Graph
Notes: Darker blue line is current timeframe. From August 15 – September 14, we saw very steady web traffic at a slightly lower level compared to the previous month. This may be explained by the fact that we issued fewer news releases to drive traffic to our site.
Social Media Overview Graph
Notes: Lighter blue line is current timeframe. From August 15 – September 14, we saw an increase in followers across all platforms, except for X, which saw no change.
Discussion – Reels Performance
Through the Meta platform (Facebook and Instagram), the use of short videos (i.e., Reels) has been available globally since 2022 but is a novel tool to the WECHU. Throughout 2025, the Communications Department worked with the Medical Officer of Health, members of our leadership team, and various department managers to produce videos discussing our programs and services or sharing important public health information.
| Reel Topic | Reach | Reactions | Comments | Shares |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avian Flu** | 7,000 | 144 | 99 | 33 |
| Measles Update** | 16,000 | 154 | 31 | |
| Tick Dragging | 2,250 | 27 | 0 | 6 |
| Ice Bucket Challenge | 2,900 | 33 | 3 | 0 |
| Annual Report | 2,200 | 44 | 2 | 4 |
**These Reels were financially boosted for 7 days, extending their reach further than organically posted Reels
Overall, the Reels have performed very well and have proven to be an effective way to share information. In comparison to traditional (image-based) organic social media posts, the Reels have reached 25 – 50% more accounts and generated more engagement by way of reactions, comments, and shares.