Authored by Jason D. King, SVP, Corporate Communications, Clear Channel Outdoor and Jason Barry, Director, Communications, Maricopa County
As another sweltering summer descends on Arizona’s Valley of the Sun, Clear Channel Outdoor has once again joined forces with Maricopa County and local partners to connect people with vital, life-saving information. Together, we’ve launched a powerful digital billboard campaign that serves one urgent purpose: to help prevent deaths from extreme heat by making sure residents and visitors alike know where to turn for relief.
This isn’t just a matter of communications; it’s a matter of public safety. Last year, Maricopa County saw its first decline in heat-related fatalities in over a decade. That progress, hard-won and deeply meaningful, coincided with the first year of our campaign. We’re committed to building on that success again in 2025.
The effort spans over 200 designated cooling centers across the Valley and is a true community endeavor, powered by collaboration with the Maricopa Association of Governments, 211 Arizona and the City of Phoenix. Together, we’re getting the word out on highways, in neighborhoods and throughout the region about where residents can find shelter, water and other support during the brutal heatwaves that define our summers.
When Seconds Matter, Visibility Saves Lives
Extreme heat can be just as deadly as any natural disaster, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly, the unsheltered and families without reliable access to air conditioning. In Arizona, temperatures exceeding 100°F are not an anomaly, they are the norm. Last year, the region endured 113 straight days at or above that threshold.
In these moments, access to information becomes as critical as access to shade or water. Clear Channel’s digital billboards direct people to 211 Arizona’s free, 24-hour resource line, available in both English and Spanish. Live operators, supported by automated systems during off-hours, help connect callers to the nearest cooling sites, transportation, utility assistance and even emergency A/C repair.
The Power of Partnership
What we’ve seen in Arizona is a blueprint for how municipalities across the country can harness private-sector innovation for public good. Clear Channel Outdoor’s medium, high-visibility digital billboards in strategic locations provide an unparalleled platform to reach residents when and where they need help. But our message is only as strong as the partnerships that amplify it.
Local governments bring invaluable knowledge of community needs, infrastructure and emergency response. Nonprofits like 211 Arizona bring empathy, coordination and trust. And private sector partners bring tools to reach the public at scale and in real-time.
These collaborations don’t require major investments from municipalities. Our Arizona campaign is delivered at no cost to taxpayers. What it requires is a willingness to sit at the table together, align on shared goals and move fast when lives are on the line.
Looking Ahead
As extreme weather events become more frequent, the burden on local governments to protect residents will only grow. Elected leaders must act not only with urgency but also with creativity. Public-private partnerships such as this one provide an immediate and scalable solution to one of our most pressing challenges.
From Phoenix to Philadelphia, and from Austin to Atlanta, the formula is the same: meet people where they are, communicate clearly and consistently and ensure the message gets through.
Because in times of crisis, every degree matters. Every minute counts. And every partnership has the power to save lives.
Visit the NLC Strategic Partnerships page to learn more about the organizations like Clear Channel Outdoor dedicated to making NLC the premier resource for local governments.
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