- The “Covered in Art” bus tour was named a finalist in two categories for PR News’ Platinum Awards.
- Multicultural media outreach efforts focused on target segments are in the running for Best Multicultural Campaign.
- “Issue briefs” and reports outlining elements of Covered California’s practices and the implications of federal policy changes are finalists for Best External Publications.
“We are pleased to be recognized and to be in the running for these national awards,” said Peter V. Lee, executive director of Covered California. “We take pride in our robust outreach and education efforts to get the word out to everyone in California about the importance of getting health insurance. Our work to get media coverage is a core component of our broader marketing and outreach efforts, which are essential ingredients in boosting enrollment and making sure healthy people get insured.”
Platinum Award winners set industry benchmarks for excellence across all areas of communications. Entrants include U.S.-based and international public relations (PR) agencies, corporations, nonprofits, associations and government organizations worldwide.
Covered California was recognized in four categories: Best Multicultural Campaign, External Publications, Media Event and the WOW! Award, PR News’ recognition of “the most innovative, out of the box PR or marketing communications campaign.”
As finalists, Covered California is competing with nationally known public relations firms and companies such as HP, MasterCard, 21st Century Fox and KFC, among many others.
The following Covered California campaigns were named finalists Tuesday:
“Covered in Art” mural bus tour named finalist for Best Media Event and WOW! Award: These two categories were represented by Covered California’s “Covered in Art” bus tour and mural campaign illustrating that health care is part of the fabric of every community in California. To promote enrollment in health insurance during Covered California’s fifth open-enrollment period, the “Covered in Art” bus traveled throughout California visiting clinics, enrollment centers, public parks and insurance agents’ offices to unveil murals celebrating health and wellness. Covered California worked in partnership with its public relations contractor, Ogilvy, on the Covered in Art tour, which took place between Nov. 1, 2017, and Jan. 31, 2018.
Target segment media relations in the running for Best Multicultural Outreach: Covered California’s in-house communications team planned and executed successful targeted outreach and media activities to reach Latinos, African Americans, Asian/Pacific Islanders (API) and LGBTQ communities throughout the state with the goal of increasing enrollment among these often-underinsured groups. Covered California team members cultivated relationships with editors, producers and on-air personalities. Staff conducted frequent interviews with ethnic TV, radio and print media about Covered California. Staff coordinated phone banks, organized ethnic media roundtables featuring Covered California leadership and developed print-ready, in-language news articles and graphics that were published statewide. Covered California also coordinated faith-based outreach activities to promote enrollment at churches, mosques, synagogues and temples throughout the state.
Series of Covered California reports and analyses recognized for Best External Publications: Covered California regularly shares its experiences and lessons in implementing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in a series of studies, reports and analyses. These reports highlight the implications of federal policy changes, the benefits of legislative and administrative changes being considered at the state and federal level, and the value of marketing and outreach. These issue briefs and reports illustrate key elements of Covered California’s approach to creating a successful competitive marketplace in California, where the rate of the uninsured has been cut by more than half since 2013, and premiums for those who do not receive subsidies have increased by only modest amounts over the past four years.
“We couldn’t do this great work without the talented team of communications professionals and policy experts working in-house at Covered California, as well as the energetic team at Ogilvy, who helped execute the Covered in Art tour,” Lee said.
Platinum Award winners will be announced Sept. 21 in New York City.
About Covered California
Covered California is the state’s health insurance marketplace, where Californians can find affordable, high-quality insurance from top insurance companies. Covered California is the only place where individuals who qualify can get financial assistance on a sliding scale to reduce premium costs. Consumers can then compare health insurance plans and choose the plan that works best for their health needs and budget. Depending on their income, some consumers may qualify for the low-cost or no-cost Medi-Cal program.
Covered California is an independent part of the state government whose job is to make the health insurance marketplace work for California’s consumers. It is overseen by a five-member board appointed by the governor and the Legislature. For more information about Covered California, please visit www.CoveredCA.com.
