Academia
Media Relations
Strategy
Stakeholder Relations
Writing
HELP, an inter-university network of early childhood learning researchers headquartered at UBC, wanted to raise the profile of the organization’s research in early childhood development and promote a greater understanding of the public policy changes needed to better meet the developmental needs of young children.
Epic PR was contracted to devise a targeted media relations program that would raise more awareness of HELP’s research with a broader audience and create interest and support for public policy change with the business community.
Epic PR undertook a number of activities, which included executing two proactive media outreach campaigns across the province. These campaigns involved identifying and promoting newsworthy angles, developing key messages, preparing media materials, providing media coaching and arranging a multitude of media interviews. The first campaign focused on new research findings, the other centered on a report commissioned by the BC Business Council about how early vulnerability is a critical economic issue in BC. To further garner stakeholder support, Epic PR identified business leaders willing to be third party supporters of HELP’s policy recommendations. Another key component of the program included an invitation-only breakfast meeting and presentation with influential business leaders to solicit their support.
Epic PR’s media relations campaign resulted in widespread television, print and radio media coverage throughout the province with every major media outlet and some two dozens news stories in the Vancouver Sun, Province, Times Colonist, CBC, CTV, City TV, Global TV, CKNW, CFAX Radio and multiple community newspapers. In the ten year history of the organization, it was the most profile ever garnered. HELP received new attention from major stakeholders and the media profile helped them advance their mission with the general public, business community, and early childhood / education audiences. Epic PR also successfully identified several influential business leaders who agreed to be third party supporters for HELP’s policy recommendations and research findings.
