Receiving the Pepperpot for the Know Your Mind campaign are, left to right, Grant Gegwich, director of Corporate Communications with Independence; Denise Porter of SteegeThomson Communications; Britni Zahodnick, digital communications manager with Independence; and Jill Wacker of SteegeThomson Communications.
Three Independence Blue Cross (Independence) public health campaigns were honored with first-place Pepperpot awards by the Philadelphia chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. The Beat COVID-19, Our Community. Our Health., and Know Your Mind campaigns were recognized at last week’s ceremony in Philadelphia.
The Pepperpot Awards recognize best-in-class public relations campaigns and tactics in greater Philadelphia.
- Beat COVID-19 won in the COVID-19 External Communications category
The Beat COVID-19 campaign educates the public on ways to limit the impact of COVID-19 through the stages of the pandemic. Key themes include telemedicine, mental health, thanking our essential workers, mask wearing, vaccines, and much more. The campaign is highly targeted to a wide range of demographics in Greater Philadelphia through television, radio, print, digital, out-of-home, and social media content. - Our Community. Our Health. won in the Multicultural Communications category
Independence and The Philadelphia Tribune worked together on the Our Community. Our Health. campaign to advocate for a healthier Philadelphia by addressing health disparities facing the African American community, including the prevalence of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. The campaign also addressed COVID-19. - Know Your Mind won in the Public Service category
The Know Your Mind campaign began in 2020 to bring mental health to the forefront in conversations about health and well-being. In 2021, media partners NBC10 and iHeartRadio helped encourage dialogue on topics like anxiety, depression, mental health disparities, and isolation during COVID-19. The educational campaign promotes self-care, reduces mental health stigmas, and provides information and advice from diverse local mental health professionals.
Independence’s Corporate Communications team led these campaigns with the support of agencies Brian Communications and SteegeThomson Communications. Independence is appreciative of all ambassadors, influencers, experts, and professionals who committed to participating in these initiatives.