“We estimate those broadcast hits alone are worth $166,320 for our clients — the Shriners,” said Christine Kleha, President & CEO of esd&associates. “We worked with our media contacts and cultivated new sources. The esd team did an outstanding job,” she said.
More than 10,000 Shriners attended the convention in San Antonio. The esd Public Relations team was selected by Shriners International to manage publicity and achieved tremendous results. esd coordinated coverage for the Shriners opening ceremonies, colorful competitions, a downtown night parade, Shriners patients success stories and an official end-of-convention news conference. The team reached out to KABB and Fox News First Meteorologist Shaun Stevens and organized live weather hits during the Shrine Motor Corps competition.
“KABB was live for two hours straight. Shaun Stevens did his weather segments with mini-cars and motorcycles in the background. Besides that, he had four live interview hits each hour. It was a terrific way to showcase our client.”
The Shriners support Shriners Hospital for Children, a one-of-a kind international health care system of 22 hospitals. Since 1922, Shriners Hospital for Children have significantly improved the lives of more than one million young children. Children up to the age of 18 with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip and palate are eligible for admission and received all care in a family-centered environment at No Charge – regardless of financial need.
The esd team wore many hats during the 5 day Imperial Session (the real red fezzes are reserved for Shriners), handling calls from reporters from CNN, the Associated Press, FOX News, National Public Radio and newspapers and television affiliates in the 22 markets where a Shriners Hospital is located.
The team secured appearances from Mayor Julián Castro and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff for the opening days of the convention which enhanced the importance of the Shriners Imperial Session.
During the convention, the Shriners voted to continue providing expert pediatric specialty care at 22 locations throughout North America. And, Shriners Hospitals for Children will implement the process for accepting reimbursement from insurance companies and government agencies.
esd&associates provides public relations, marketing, communications & web development to a long list of client-partners including SeaWorld, WellMed, KCI and Community First Health Plans to name a few.