Winner: Henson Consulting Inc. – HC has Heart: 2nd Annual Open Hearts Foundation Event Creates Buzz, Changes Lives
The Open Hearts Foundation, created by award-winning actress and philanthropist Jane Seymour and her husband, producer James Keach, is a nonprofit charity designed to enrich the lives of children through health, education, arts and sports. Its philosophy embraces selfless giving even in the face of adverse conditions, and funds those organizations and individuals who exemplify that philosophy in their service to others. In 2012 Open Hearts called on Henson Consulting (HC) to plan and execute the foundation’s second annual event at Seymour’s Malibu home.
HC’s mission was not only to raise awareness about Open Hearts Foundation, but also locate honorees who have overcome adversity by living with an “Open Heart.” HC deployed a full suite of PR efforts to reach those goals, starting with an extensive round of media relations to help get the word out about Open Heart stories. The agency also crafted press materials to leverage Jane Seymour’s celebrity as an expert spokesperson and put the spotlight on the various charities receiving donations from the Open Hearts Foundation. In addition to targeting top-tier national outlets the PR team also focused the pitch to each honoree’s hometown.
The second annual Open Hearts Foundation was a smashing success, with HC garnering 168 million media impressions, including coverage on CNN and the Today Show as well as stories in The Washington Post and Seymour’s hometown Malibu Times. —Matthew Schwartz
Honorable Mentions:
• American Society of Clinical Oncology - 2012 ASCO Annual Meeting Press Program
• American Society of Landscape Architects - Landscape Architect's Guide to DC Campaign
• CropLife America - 2012 National Policy Conference, "The Politics of Food and the 2012 Farm Bill: Are YOU Being Served?"
• dashTHIRTYdash - The Death of the Daily Times-Picayune & the Unification of a City