success story : launching a nonprofit

Challenge

Our client, Champions Committed to KIDS, a nonprofit organization that pairs children suffering from serious illnesses with high school- or college-level sports teams, decided to open the second chapter of its organization in Denver. In preparation for the announcement, our client asked for our logistical and media-relations expertise in order to create a smooth transition into a new locale.

The nonprofit organization decided to hold a press conference in order to announce its launch into the Denver market, as well as to connect and establish relationships with athletic directors and the parents of eligible children from across the state.

Strategy

dovetail solutions met with both Champions Committed to KIDS and three of its supporting sponsors, in order to best understand the goals of each group. Based on the organization’s prior experience of successful press conferences, dovetail solutions provided a communications strategy as well as coordination services. Following are the planning and execution elements of each:

• An advisory announcing the details of the press conference to the media
• A press release providing background information about the nonprofit organization
• Research into and contacting all of the high school- and college-level athletic directors from major cities or towns across Colorado
• Strategic partnership meetings with Children’s Hospital and the University of Denver

Results

Over the course of two weeks, dovetail solutions organized and implemented a successful press conference. The announcement of the organization’s chapter launch was reported across media outlets, while athletic directors and the parents of seriously ill children formed relationships with Champions Committed to KIDS.

success story: diffusing employee tensions

Challenge

Our client, a nonprofit jazz radio station in Denver, released an employee from one of her responsibilities, although wanted to continue to employ her as an on-air host. The employee and a family member who also worked at the station both quit the following day.

The radio station was concerned that the sudden departure of a prominent employee would lead to negative consequences for the fundraising event to be held the upcoming weekend.

Strategy

After meeting with the client and analyzing the options, dovetail solutions provided a crisis communication strategy to the client to help diffuse the situation. Elements of such a strategy included the following:

• Talking points designed for internal audiences.
• Talking points designed for external audiences.
• Preparation of back-up messaging documents.
• Counsel as to how the client should proceed in each step of the process.

Results

In a matter of four hours, dovetail solutions was able to successfully advise its client through a stressful circumstance. The use of immediate communication allowed the client to quell the issue without needing to draw attention to specifics. Little to no backlash occurred and the fundraiser was a success.

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success story: brand messaging/community partnership

Challenge

A local university contracted dovetail solutions to enhance the brand, community partnership and public relations initiatives for their College of Business. While the business college was one of the best in the state, it lacked a distinct identity from the rest of the university as well as a rigorous presence in community involvement.

The College of Business wanted to position itself as a leader in business education and a community partner. To provide a united image, dovetail solutions, in accordance with the college, decided to utilize the business college’s dean as the university representative.

Strategy

dovetail solutions identified the following short-term goals:

1. Increase the recognition and distinction of the business college.
2. Increase the college’s level of community engagement, both locally and nationally.
3. Assist in the development of an annual awards event, highlighting a business or community leader that exemplified the values of the business college.

dovetail solutions identified the following long-term goals:

1. Expand awareness of the College of Business and create visibility in new audiences.
2. Solidify the business college’s brand identity internally and externally, including internal communications and messaging as well as media relations.
3. Develop opportunities to educate relevant audiences and build collaboration for the College of Business with business and government.

Results

Through dovetail solutions’ comprehensive marketing, brand strategies and community involvement initiatives, the College of Business and its dean were provided with numerous strategic introductions and opportunities to increase visibility, including media placements and local event attendance as well as options for worthwhile community involvement. Overall, both the short- and long-term goals of the College of Business were accomplished. The business college and its dean were provided with strategic and lasting relationships that will continue to benefit the university and community.

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success story: public relations/branding

Challenge

A local water-solutions provider approached dovetail solutions for assistance in increasing its media relations, Strategic Community Investment, brand enhancement and public relations initiatives. As a leading water-solutions provider, the company wanted to increase its visibility, both locally and nationally.

Strategy

dovetail solutions identified the following goals:

Increase the visibility and recognition of the water-solutions company as the leading water-solutions provider for the energy exploration and production industry.

Enhance customer awareness to reinforce brand position and generate business prospects through media outreach to both trade and general publications.

Facilitate introductions and establish relationships with local, state and national government leaders and industry representatives to support regulatory and permitting processes and identify possible strategic alliances.

Identify and increase participation in key industry groups, community organizations (i.e., nonprofits), government grants and funding programs that help to establish the company’s leadership role.

Results

As a result of dovetail solutions’ comprehensive marketing, media outreach and Strategic Community Investment abilities, the water-solutions provider was able to increase its community partnership, local and national visibility and leadership role in providing water solutions that were cost effective, with long-term sustainability. The plan also provided tactics to execute the media and brand strategy and detailed timelines for future implementation.

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success story: crisis communications management

Challenge

Our client, the largest academic medical center in the Rocky Mountain region, had planned to shut down one of its inpatient wards, potentially detrimentally affecting not only its patients but also the staff. The closure would ultimately jeopardize the hospital’s reputation not only in the Metro Denver community and the Rocky Mountain area, but also nationally.

Despite the closure, the center wanted to continue to position itself as an enduring partner within the community. dovetail solutions was hired to aid in the announcement of the closure as well as to maintain and protect the client’s rapport within the community.

Strategy

Crisis Communications Plan: After meeting with our client and assessing the desired outcome, dovetail solutions created a Crisis Communications Plan, a Continuity of Care Plan and Staff Transition Plan surrounding the closure.

Elements of the brand plan included the following:

Media relations

Stakeholder analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Internal and external FAQs with appropriate answers

Internal and external speaking points

Continuity of care

Staff transition

Results

Through the use of dovetail solutions' customized Crisis Communications Plan, the announcement was highly successful. The use of the suggested elements provided the desired outcome, and the announcement was received positively, with minimal backlash from the media and the public.

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success story: personal branding/networking

Challenge

Our clients, experienced and acknowledged designers and architects, created a unique company that specializes in architectural investment, acquisition and sales of properties with hidden potential. Despite the talent and experience of the two owners of the company and its comprehensive professional services offerings, the company lacked entry into the market and needed full-scale marketing services, including brand creation, website design and content, and business development strategy.

Strategy

Comprehensive Brand Plan: After assessing the needs of the company and the personal branding needs of the owners, dovetail solutions created a comprehensive brand plan, including a customized marketing package and business development strategy.

Elements of the brand plan included the following:

• Creation of logo and a tagline.
• ID package, including business cards, letterhead, note cards and envelopes.
• Website, design and content.
• Positioning statement and support messaging.
• Network map.

Results

The combination of logo, ID package and website, along with the cohesive strategy to streamline and enhance existing business development efforts resulted in a highly successful overall presentation. The company’s brand plan was met with great success, elevating its professional image and securing multiple new business opportunities. The client is able to speak confidently and fluently about the business value proposition and differentiating factors, targeting potential clients and securing new business.

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success story: personal branding/networking

Challenge

Our client, the regional head of a major financial institution, had extensive responsibilities managing the private, commercial, retail and small business components of his institution through more than twenty direct-report employees. He wished to become better known outside of his industry in order to complement his success in business.

Strategy

After meeting with our client and assessing the institution’s needs, dovetail solutions created a strategy to promote community investment and personal networking. Our strategy centered on his overall goal to become well known outside of the financial industry through his community involvement and personal networks.

With this in mind, dovetail solutions set the following goals:

1. Develop and solidify our client’s personal brand.
2. Identify opportunities for our client to further engage with and increase his exposure in the Denver community.
3. Facilitate introductions and meetings with community leaders, focusing on top-level decision makers.

We have achieved these goals in a number of ways:

• Creation of promotional talking points, focusing on his core values and community interests.
• Development of a creative and distinctive leave-behind.
• Recommendation for participation in a number of senior-level executive committees and groups.
• Construction of a Network Map, which identifies direct influencers, close contacts and the “web” of people with whom he is connected.
• Identification of opportunities for our client to author op-ed pieces on business issues for local media outlets and specialty publications.
• Facilitation of one-on-one meetings with CEOs and well-known community leaders.
• Creation of opportunities for our client to address a targeted audience on his areas of expertise.

Results

The results of the strategic community integration and personal branding for this client were a great success. The innovative leave-behind for personal branding was highly effective in keeping him top-of-mind for new and previous contacts. The widely attended speaking engagements and selective introductions that dovetail solutions facilitated for our client have served to plant the seed for his future self-sustained community involvement.

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