Codington County Taps Aberdeen Firm “Production Monkeys” for Opioid Awareness Campaign

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - Codington County is putting its share of national opioid settlement dollars to work. On Tuesday, the Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a $40,000 contract with Production Monkeys, an Aberdeen-based marketing and production firm, to spearhead a comprehensive community awareness campaign to tackle the local opioid crisis.

The initiative is funded through a $50,000 South Dakota Opioid Settlement Funding grant, which the county secured to address the rising challenges of substance use disorder and the stigma that often prevents residents from seeking help.

Choosing the “Monkeys”

Sarah Foust, Codington County Community Service Director, appeared before the board to explain the selection process and the partnership’s strategic goals.

“The total grant is $50,000,” Sarah explained to the commissioners. “Our community awareness group has chosen Production Monkeys as the production company they want to work with... we’re just asking for county approval to utilize the funds through that way.”

The decision to hire Production Monkeys follows a review of their expertise in handling sensitive public health messaging. The firm will be responsible for creating a multi-platform media blitz that includes video and audio PSAs, social media content, print materials, and a dedicated landing page for resources.

Beyond a Billboard: A Multi-Phase Strategy

The contract outlines a detailed scope of services that goes beyond simple advertising. The campaign will be built on a foundation of local research to ensure the messaging resonates with Codington County residents.

According to the partnership agreement, the campaign will focus on:

·         Research & Strategy: Developing a strategic communications plan to reach target demographics.

·         Creative Development: Designing branding and messaging that is “empathetic, inclusive, and motivational.”

·         Implementation: Executing the plan across social media, local radio, and digital platforms.

Sarah noted that $40,000 of the grant is earmarked for this professional production and placement, while the remaining $10,000 will be held for additional campaign needs and local outreach efforts.

Commissioners Seek Clarity on Costs

During the discussion, Commissioner Lee Gable asked for a final confirmation of the financial commitment.

“So, what’s the amount again?” Gable asked. “Forty thousand dollars,” Sarah confirmed. “The total grant is fifty thousand, so there is another ten thousand remaining.”

The board expressed support for the initiative, noting that the settlement funds are legally required to be spent on remediation, prevention, and education efforts related to the opioid epidemic.

Tackling the Stigma

A central theme of the upcoming campaign will be reducing stigma surrounding recovery. Local health officials have long argued that fear of judgment is a primary barrier to individuals seeking treatment.

The Production Monkeys contract officially commences on April 1, 2026, with the first wave of media expected to hit the airwaves and social feeds by early summer.

The motion to approve the contract was made by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Gable, and it passed with a unanimous vote.