Message Development Posts

Artfully Answering the Wrong Questions with the Right Answers

Robin Hanson asks in a recent post on her blog Overcomingbias, “Why is modest question evasion so often tolerated in TV and radio interviews?” Her question was sparked by a study in the Journal of Experimental Psychology’s April Issue that found that listeners often won’t notice discrepancies between the question that was asked and the answer that is delivered as long as it is done smoothly and confidently.

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Looking Beyond Health Care—the Social Factors That Affect Health

We know that education is important, that a better job and more income can improve our lives, and that living in a neighborhood with sidewalks and grocery stores is convenient. What we don’t often consider is how all of these … Continue reading Looking Beyond Health Care—the Social Factors That Affect Health

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Super Stories: The Hidden Link to What Makes Superbowl Sunday Great

No matter where your allegiance lies, there’s more to the Superbowl than the game itself. Ever notice the hours of storytelling that lead up to the game? They’re stories about the history of the teams, background of the coaches, growing pains and successes from the star players, celebrity fans weighing in—all told to lure you in and hold your attention. This is like anything else. Stories make people feel invested.

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Two Years After CHIP

A new state-by-state scorecard reveals that the CHIP reauthorization and Medicaid expansions in the economic stimulus bill succeeded in preserving and, in some states, even expanding health coverage for kids, in spite of the economic downturn. That’s the good news.

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MLK’s “I Have a Dream”—Best Presentation Training

Great summation of what makes a great presentation…Nancy Duarte outlines the key tips of how to do it using the masterful communicator Martin Luther King.

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Eliminating the “Meningitis Belt”

How many diseases are so devastating that entire regions are named for them? And what if, as early as 2015, we could stop one such disease in its tracks—in the very countries hit hardest? That’s the promise of a new, … Continue reading Eliminating the “Meningitis Belt”

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How Health Insurance Is Different than a Flat Screen TV

There was a discussion between two former solicitors general, Walter Dellinger and Paul Clement, about the recent court ruling that the provision in health reform requiring most Americans to buy health insurance is unconstitutional.

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Documenting the Road to Recovery Using New Media

Dr. Elliot Krane, of the Lucille Packard Children's Hospital and Stanford University Medical School and a Mayday Pain & Society Fellow, has a goal to end children’s suffering from chronic pain. One of the biggest barriers to better care for kids in his pain clinic is the lack of coverage for the treatments that will make them well.

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Announcing BurnessDigital

BurnessDigital is new, but we’ve been crafting online strategy for several years: we have told the stories of exceptional nonprofits in videos, brought attention to their ideas with social media campaigns and dynamic websites, and worked to “move the needle” by crafting online strategies that advance their communications goals. This launch is the next step in the evolution of our communications approach.

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Lessons in Crisis Communications

In a New York Times article by Peter S. Goodman, three corporate giants (BP, Toyota and Goldman Sachs) are scrutinized on the art—or not so much—of crisis communications. Each company facing unique challenges, their experiences are lessons worth learning, as any organization—despite good intentions—is ultimately responsible for appeasing public opinion. The article highlighted things to remember during a crisis.

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