With so many important health and cultural issues deservedly demanding and captivating the public’s attention, team Intesa has had to come up with new ways to advance our clients’ projects while staying safe at home. Our health-conscious team is (still) working from our kitchen tables and avoiding face-to-face contact, but we have not skipped a beat when it comes to client success. Here are a few highlights:
Philanthropic features
In the midst of several crises, our clients are stepping up. We’re proud to support the work of Nicolette Louissaint, Ph.D. and her team at Healthcare Ready, a D.C.-based nonprofit that helps coordinate the efforts of healthcare companies, governments, and community organizations during natural disasters and disease outbreaks. While Intesa was initially brought on to support their public relations program strategically and tactically, our role was recently expanded to assist in their fundraising program. As a result, Nancy secured a prominent feature of the organization and its executive director in the July 2020 issue of The Chronicle of Philanthropy.
We’ve also helped Healthcare Ready announce financial contributions to support their response efforts to COVID-19 from the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP), The AmerisourceBergen Foundation, the Pharmaceutical Researchers and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) and the PhRMA Foundation along with donations of $500,000 from Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. and $100,000 from Stanley Black & Decker to help expand Healthcare Ready’s work to build and enhance the resiliency of communities during the pandemic.
Virtual “brown bag” briefings
Last November, when we on-boarded Healthcare Ready, we knew that we wanted to deepen their relationships with reporters within their sector. Though they had a good reputation with media, they frequently found inconsistent reporting on features of the US health supply chain and the public/private partnerships they foster as an NGO. We pitched the idea of hosting a “brown bag” session with media, which is literally what it sounds like; an informational gathering of reporters over lunch while asking the client questions on background and discussing the nuances of their field.
Little did we know that just a few months later, we’d be in the midst of a historic pandemic and faced with a completely different social and media environment but we didn’t want to give up on the concept. We pivoted and adjusted the format to an online convening and invited select media to participate in a series of conversations with industry leaders at the Strategic National Stockpile, PhRMA, BIO and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, to name just a few.
Due to Healthcare Ready’s important role in the pandemic response, one “brown bag” has now turned into multiple separate convenings, each with its own theme. We’re proud to create these opportunities for media relationship-building. They underscore the challenges our client faces in securing and strengthening our nation’s healthcare supply pipeline so that patients have access to the medicines and personal protective equipment they need during natural disasters and pandemics.
Celebrating South Bay superhero grads!
What does media coverage look like in a pandemic? Surprisingly familiar! Even though we’re not shepherding our clients around the news studios like we’re used to, we’re still lining up media coverage of significant moments in our communities. In June, long-time client South Bay Community Services celebrated their students’ academic accomplishments throughout several of their programs, including Chula Vista Promise Neighborhoods.
One of the highlights was honoring the big accomplishments of their tiniest gradates, the newly-minted kindergarteners graduating from Mi Escuelita therapeutic preschool. Mi Escuelita is Southern California’s only therapeutic preschool designed specifically to support children and families affected by relationship violence. Intesa’s PR team was pleased to help celebrate this incredible program and its graduates. Through a combined proactive media outreach effort, several local news stations covered the event. The successful event underscored the fact that we can socially distance, wear a mask and still do interviews and tell important stories. Grab some tissue and check out the heart-warming, superhero-themed event here.
What’s your pivot?
We’re apart, but we’re still connected, engaged and want to hear from our friends both near and far. Hit us up in the comments with some fun, creative ways you’ve been able to pivot strategies to keep the ball moving during these dynamic times. If you’re feeling stuck, that’s okay! Reach out to us here and let us know how we can help.
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