Pictured above: (front) Juliet Betterton; (back) Mary
Whitehouse, Nicola Cocker, Claire Morris
The UK's largest group of leading NHS consultants Alliance
Surgical plc has called in Midlands agency betterpr to deliver an
integrated communications programme.
Twice ranked one of Britain's fastest growing private
companies*, Alliance Surgical has retained betterpr to plan and
implement national media, marketing and digital strategies
targeting major health insurance companies, brokers, GPs and the
company's 1250 members.
Against a background of controversial NHS health reforms, part
of betterpr's brief is to build awareness of Birmingham-based
Alliance Surgical's consultant-led approach to standardising the
treatment of private patients, avoiding unnecessary interventions
and significantly reducing costs for insurers and private
patients.
Key elements of the campaign involve national and trade media
relations, direct marketing and e-marketing, as well as running a
social media and 'blogging' programme.
Bromsgrove-based betterpr has been retained without a
competitive pitch because of its previous media projects and web
work with Alliance Surgical over the last five years.
The company's founder director Ann Copsey said: "Delivering high
quality healthcare on a professionally managed basis is more
relevant today than ever before with health insurers facing
increasingly challenging conditions.
"Communicating our message is not a straightforward task and
betterpr has demonstrated they have the right expertise and the
competence to deliver our requirements effectively and
creatively."
Head of betterpr Juliet Betterton said: "Our programme will see
us working with the most eminent surgeons and professors in the UK
to affirm Alliance Surgical's place as the country's leading
independent doctors' group.
"We have many years of expertise in professional services and
healthcare sectors with campaigns designed for business growth, and
we look forward to supporting Alliance Surgical's ambitions."
betterpr was previously voted Midlands 'Outstanding Small
Consultancy' by the CIPR (Chartered Institute of Public Relations)
and a national finalist three times running in the CIPR's
Excellence Awards.
The consultancy offers a full range of communications services,
including media relations, web-based marketing, brand management,
social media and crisis management.
*Source: Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100