Ministry Health Care launches new marketing campaign

Last month, one of the Midwest’s largest health care organizations launched an extensive new campaign featuring “real” people and an iconic ‘60s tune.

The Youngbloods’ 1969 hit “Get Together” formed the sonic signature for a series of new TV and radio spots from Ministry Health Care, which operates hospitals and clinics throughout Wisconsin and Minnesota. Highlighting the strong relationships Ministry caregivers have with their patients, the campaign utilizes “knowing you better means treating you better” as its tagline. It was filmed on location using actual Ministry patients along with their doctor, nurse or therapist. Broadcast versions of the ads begin running the week of May 17, while outdoor versions were launched a week later. Interactive components rolled out shortly after that.

“This campaign concept and theme song really encapsulates the patient-centered approach that Ministry is all about,” says Ministry Health Care CEO Nick Desien. “It’s pretty sharp departure from what almost any other hospital system is doing.”

The new campaign is being launched in tandem with a system-wide alteration to the way the system’s hospitals are referred to. Each hospital reference will now begin with the word “Ministry,” to better communicate the component parts of the larger system.

Ministry Health Care was founded over 120 years ago by a Catholic organization, the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother. It operates 12 hospitals and 21 clinics in communities throughout central and northern Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota and employs more than 9,000 people. Ministry Health Care is also a joint sponsor (with Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare) of Affinity Health System in Wisconsin’s Fox Valley region and sponsors Flambeau Hospital in Park Falls and the Diagnostic and Treatment Center in Weston with the Marshfield Clinic. In addition to hospitals, the system provides primary and specialty medical services, home health care, hospice, long-term care and dialysis services.

Youngbloods founder Jesse Colin Young re-voiced “Get Together” for the campaign, which was produced by Boelter + Lincoln of Milwaukee. To see the complete campaign, visit www.ministryhealth.org/knowingyoubetter.

Nominations now sought for Superior Business Awards

Officials from The Chamber, the Development Association, the Northeast Entrepreneur Fund, the Superior Business Improvement District, the Superior Business Center and the University of Wisconsin-Superior Small Business Development Center issued a call for nominations for the 2010 Superior Business Awards.

“As the oldest business member organization in Superior/Douglas County, the Chamber is honored to participate with our partners in the 2010 Superior Business Awards Program,” says David Minor, chamber president/CEO. “Last year’s inaugural Superior Business Awards Program was a huge success.”

The Superior Business Awards encompasses six award categories: Business Hall of Fame; Historical Business Hall of Fame; Small Business of the Year; Large Business of the Year; Emerging Innovative Business; and the Business Plan competition.

“Recognizing the success of local businesses and entrepreneurs is an important part of our business retention and expansion efforts,” says Andy Lisak, executive director of the development association. “Approximately 80 percent of all jobs created in our community are created by existing businesses. It is imperative that we recognize the businesses that have been responsible for creating a vibrant, local economy.”

Eligible businesses must be located in, or entrepreneurs must reside in, Douglas County. Hall of Fame nominees must be
individuals (living or deceased) who reside/resided in or who own/owned and operate/operated a for-profit business in Douglas County. Businesses nominated must be for-profit businesses.

The deadline for nominations is July 16, 2010. Awards will be announced at a September 16 banquet. Nomination forms are available on-line here or by calling the Chamber at (715) 394-7716 or the Development Association at (715) 392-4749.

MOVERS

>> Noel Eggebraaten is the new executive director at Momentum West.

>> Clifton Gunderson’s Stevens Point office has added Roy Alexander as an associate on the assurance team.

>> Mark Porlier, an electrical engineer at Clark Dietz Inc in Wausau, was presented the 2010 Airport Engineer of the Year award by the Wisconsin Airport Management Association.

>> Mike Powell has joined Bauman Associates, a regional accounting and consulting company based in Eau Claire, as firm manager.

>> Thomas Pulse was named president of Ayres Associates effective May 10, replacing Patrick Quinn, who will retire at the end of 2010.