As a well-known regional hospital, Inova was set to open its new world-class cancer treatment center located in Northern Virginia – the Schar Cancer Institute. Inova Schar wanted to shift perceptions from a community-oriented cancer facility to a nationally recognized comprehensive cancer care center.

 


As a well-known regional hospital, Inova was set to open its new world-class cancer treatment center located in Northern Virginia – the Schar Cancer Institute. Inova Schar wanted to shift perceptions from a community-oriented cancer facility to a nationally recognized comprehensive cancer care center.

Challenge


The Inova Health System is a beloved “community hospital” brand in the northern Virginia. Inova made a $150 million investment in a new state-of-the-art facility for its comprehensive cancer care center to serve the growing northern Virginia region. But would patients go to their “community hospital” brand for care when academic institutions like Georgetown and Johns Hopkins had cancer facilities nearby?

Insight


Thanks to the growth in searchable data on cancer facilities and movement towards patient empowerment, more patients and caregivers are “self-directed,” relying less on physician referrals. Research revealed a perceived trade-off in the marketplace between either inconvenient and less personal regional researched-based institutions or local-area competitors known for compassionate care.

Execution


To break through the crowded market, we developed a multichannel media campaign focused on one central idea: “Cancer Care Built Around You” positioning Inova Schar as the best of both worlds: compassionate care to treat the patient and cutting-edge science-based care to treat the disease. We supported the launch with live events as well as with a local, regional and national media relations campaign.

Impact


Leveraging a concentrated, multichannel media strategy, the campaign delivered over 97M impressions to build awareness

New website sessions

Increase in patient visits post-campaign

Subscribe to our newsletter

Let's connect! Sign up for Powell Tate Insights for monthly fresh takes on disruptions, innovations and impact in public affairs.