Role and Impact

In the middle of March 2020, our world was shaken. Governor Jay Inslee had just announced an emergency proclamation requiring the immediate two-week shutdown of all Washington restaurants, bars, and recreational facilities. This included abrupt cessation of public and private events at our local Duvall Distillery. Despite the tumultuous circumstances, Jason “Jay” Norige, the heart and soul behind Duvall Distillery, refused to let the spirit dissipate. Instead, he ensured it flowed in a new, transformative way.

Responding to the COVID-19 crisis with resilience and creativity, Duvall Distillery began producing “hand grenades in the war against COVID-19” - personal-sized, refillable, glass spray bottles of hand sanitizer. Their story was a beacon of positivity amidst the crisis, and we felt compelled to shine a light on their remarkable efforts.

Deliverables

I formed a collaborative alliance with the talented video crew of King County TV. Our goal was to document the distillery’s incredible work. We filmed, edited, and captured intimate behind-the-scenes moments as Duvall Distillery continued to supply hand sanitizer to hospitals, businesses, and King County Isolation and Quarantine centers. In our multimedia suite of deliverables, we included the following:

• A captivating video featuring the dedicated staff at Duvall Distillery.

• A collection of behind-the-scenes photographs was added to public archives and displayed in a public gallery.

• A comprehensive blog post supplemented with engaging social media content to amplify the distillery’s initiative.

Communications

• Premiering videos on King County TV, YouTube, and multiple social media outlets.

• Collaborating with the City of Duvall and King County Council District Three to circulate the video and blog on their social media channels.

• Establishing a behind-the-scenes gallery on Flickr provided a unique perspective into the distillery’s operations.

Discover More

YouTube: https://youtu.be/BGpXrU-Aqak

Blog: https://dchsblog.com/2020/04/14/duvall-distillery/

Flickr Gallery: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kingcountydchs/albums/72157713820758528

Reflection: “The Duvall Distillery project underscored the power of adaptability and community spirit during crises. Through effective storytelling, we brought their transformation from a distillery to a sanitizer producer to the forefront, inspiring many. This experience reiterated the importance of communication in catalyzing change and fostering resilience, particularly during challenging times.”