Porter Novelli had helped the Coalition launch a podcast focusing on depression called the Down & Up Show. The program, hosted by noted psychologist Dr. Ellen Frank, features information and commentary on the many faces of depression. The Coalition’s public relations representative wanted to know what I thought about the program and if I would consider writing about it on HealthCareVox.
At First I Wasn’t That Interested, But . . .
I often receive e-mails from people alerting me to new podcasts, social networks and other forms of social media so at first I wasn’t very interested in pursuing the story. However, two things got me thinking it might be worth focusing on the Coalition and the podcast:
1. The Coalition Is Receiving Support From Wyeth Pharmaceuticals: I had just published a report focusing on Americans’ perceptions of alliances between non-profit organizations and drug firms. According to a national survey produced by my firm Envision Solutions, many are skeptical of pharmaceutical companies’ motives for supporting non-profits. They think drug firms fund these groups solely to increase sales of their medicines.
Given my interest in this subject, I viewed Porter Novelli’s invitation to cover the podcast as the perfect opportunity to explore issues relating to cause alliances with a drug firm and a non-profit it is supporting.
2. The Down & Up Show Is A Good Social Media Case Study: I am always on the lookout for healthcare industry specific social media case studies. I thought that focusing on the podcast would provide my readers with information about how Wyeth and the Coalition planned, produced and measured the effectiveness of a social media campaign.
Given this, I decided to contact representatives from Wyeth and the Coalition. They were kind enough to answer some very tough questions about their cause alliance and the podcast. Over the next few weeks, I will publish a six part series focusing on these issues. The titles of these posts appear below:
-Depression Education, Big Pharma & Cause Alliances: An Overview Of The Issues
-Examining Drug Firms’ Motives For Supporting Non-Profits:
Wyeth Talks About The Depression Is Real Coalition
-Preserving The Independence Of Pharma-Supported Depression Education: A Conversation With Barbara A. Hylard Of The Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance
-The Depression Is Real Podcast: Wyeth’s View
-The Depression Is Real Podcast: The Coalition Speaks
-Depression Education, Cause Alliances & Social Media Communications: My Thoughts
As always, comments and questions about this series are welcome.
» Depression Education, Cause Alliances & Social Media Communications -- Part I from HealthCareVox
This article is part of a six-part series focusing on the Wyeth-sponsored non-profit coalition Depression Is Real. To learn more about this series, please click here.... [Read More]
Tracked on: July 24, 2007 1:38 PM | Permalink to Trackback