City Council voted unanimously Monday night to authorize a one-year, $3.4 million marketing and communications contract with the Sherry Matthews Group. The new effort aims to rebuild the public image of Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) and encourage riders to return following a series of violent incidents, including the July killing of Iryna Zarutska on the Blue Line.
The city began searching for an outside marketing firm in September, receiving 18 proposals. Staff selected Sherry Matthews Group for its experience in crisis communications, branding, digital outreach, advertising, and community engagement…