Chatham County’s Public Information Office was named the winner of a 2026 National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Excellence Award.

The award honors Chatty Chatham, Chatham County’s first animated series, created, directed, and produced by Media Production Manager Evan King. Chatty Chatham’s first episode “Zoning Schmoning” won NACIO’s Audiovisual Long Video Excellence award for mid-sized counties.

As an active affiliate of the National Association of Counties (NACo), NACIO works to promote the value of professional PIOs and communicators to county governments. This contest recognizes and awards outstanding public relations and public information work being done in counties and state associations across the nation.

Chatty Chatham is an original animated series from Chatham County Government, and was created for 2nd and 3rd grade students. The show explains how local government works in a fun, easy-to-understand way. Chatham County partnered with a local educator to ensure the content aligns with Georgia’s learning standards for this age group.

Children can follow along and enjoy free educational materials, including a word search. Click to download Chatty Chatham coloring page and word search.

The debut episode, “Zoning Schmoning,” introduces viewers to the basics of land use and planning. When Melvin the Mosquito stirs up chaos, the characters of Team Chatham step in to explain how zoning helps keep communities safe, organized, and thriving.

Episode 2 of Chatty Chatham, “Hurricane Havoc” released in July 2026, and highlights Chatham Emergency Management Agency’s hurricane response efforts, and encourages viewers to do their part in preventing the spread of misinformation, especially during emergencies.