Strategic Communications and Public Affairs
How will your story get told?
In this day of instantaneous communication and real-time media campaigns, every project and issue needs a sophisticated, unique communications strategy. That means developing a robust digital communications platform that can micro-target the audience and pivot instantly.
Public and media relations efforts must address many specific communities to win. If neighborhoods or other public interest groups are affected, they need to be informed and coordinated, regularly and strategically. If an issue's public policy implications generate media interest, media outlets need to be given facts and perspective. Allies must be cultivated, the public must be educated, and opponents must be neutralized. These Case Studies highlight some challenges large and small.
International Business Development
The Issue: North America's largest short-line railroader, OmniTRAX Inc. was seeking approval to purchase a large Canadian intermodal transportation network.
The Solution: Welchert developed a clear and credible plan for Canadian and U.S. media focused on the unique business strategies and financial strength of the railroad while navigating international regulatory sensitivities with the Canadian government. These innovative efforts brought widespread positive coverage of the purchase on both sides of the border, highlighted by feature articles in the Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post.
Economic Development & Tourism
The Issue: The Irish Ambassador to the United States was in Colorado to promote tourism and trade.
The Solution: Welchert provided executive-level counsel to the ambassador and implemented a targeted media relations campaign highlighting his trip. The campaign prominently featured the ambassador in print and electronic media cementing business and cultural relationships with Ireland—we may have had a Guinness or two along the way.
Foreign Relations & International Trade
The Issue: Denver had been chosen by the U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S.T.R. to host the inaugural Western Hemisphere Trade Ministerial and Commerce Forum for leaders from 34 democracies.
The Solution: With just three months’ notice, Welchert was selected to be Chief of Staff and Executive Director of the Host Committee. Welchert built a team that raised over $1million and managed logistics and hundreds of staff/volunteers at multiple locations who often handled high-level tasks. The efforts culminated in our selection as the “Best Earned Media Campaign” in the country and the President directly pointed to our team’s success as he awarded Denver the G-8 Summit two years later.
If you have an important point to make, don’t try to be subtle or clever.
Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again.
Then hit it a third time--a tremendous whack
--Winston Churchill