Heart Rhythm Society

Challenge

Support and strengthen the Heart Rhythm Society’s position as the international leader in science, education and advocacy for cardiac arrhythmia professionals and patients, and the primary information resource on heart rhythm disorders.

Solution

Develop a comprehensive action plan to support multiple communications initiatives on behalf of the society.

Program components include:

• Elevating visibility of the society’s HeartRhythm Journal
• Delivering a comprehensive media relations program for annual Scientific Sessions
• Increasing consumer awareness of key heart rhythm disorders
• Raising overall awareness of the profession
• Improving member awareness regarding Society’s health policy initiatives

Results

• Secured more than 300 million media impressions and over 2,000 placements in trade and consumer media outlets on an annual basis, demonstrating an average of 5 percent increase in media impressions from year to year since 2008.
• Developed and managed communications strategy for annual Scientific Sessions over the past four years. Scientific Sessions attracts more than 8,000 medical professionals and includes over 200 sessions. Media relations and communications activity results in extensive coverage of ground breaking science from Sessions.
  • An average of 40 media representatives on site for Sessions each year.
  • Dozens of unique stories placed annually, touting research presented at meeting.

Results Continued

• Coverage in high profile national outlets including New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, ABC News, MSNBC, Associated Press, Bloomberg, Reuters and more.

• Leading heart rhythm specialists, including Society leaders and members, conducted more than 70 interviews every year elevating the Society’s position as a leading international organization of medical professionals.

Results Continued

• Created comprehensive public relations plan to launch the first Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month – Apples and Oranges campaign to education educate the public on Sudden Cardiac Arrest:
  • Plans include a consumer survey, New York media tour and aggressive media outreach.
  • Resulted in more than 200 million impressions and 1,300 media placements.
• Developed a comprehensive messaging platform for the Society’s health policy efforts that offered key messages for various target audiences.