Airfoil Explores Digital Media's Power in Shaping Health Care Policy Reform

Detroit – Oct. 16, 2009 – Airfoil Public Relations, an independent public relations agency specializing in public relations and marketing communications for both leading and emerging companies, today announced the publication of its latest Point of View (POV), "Engage, Embrace, Empower: Influencing Health Care Policy in the Digital Era." This thought leadership publication explores digital media's impact on the speed, volume, risks and rewards of policy reform dialogue, as well as a recommended plan of action that health care communicators can use to define their organizations' voices in the debate.

"The health care policy reform discussion transcends the business-as-usual approach that may have historically worked for other types of reform, and the digital environment in which it's taking place both advances and complicates the debate," said Airfoil Public Relations Account Director Keith Donovan. "This POV brings to bear our deep understanding of health care communications; the public affairs discipline and how to leverage digital media as an agent of influence. We explore more than the undeniable impact digital media has on public policymaking, and equip health care organizations with immediately actionable steps to ensure their business interests are considered."

Topics covered within "Engage, Embrace, Empower: Influencing Health Care Policy in the Digital Era" include:

- The first steps to mobilizing a constituency: issue definition and agenda setting

- The "small acts" of social media engagement that can have great impact on policy reform

- The importance of employing both offensive and defensive digital communication strategies in order for a health care organization's message to be heard during the policy change process

- A 5-point plan of action that reinforces fundamental communication and public relations practices, while urging adoption of the new online tools available to organizations and constituents

The Airfoil health care POV is part of the agency's series of Points of View issued regularly to keep clients and other businesses advised of the latest trends impacting companies of all sizes.

About Airfoil Public Relations
Airfoil, with offices in Southfield, Michigan and Mountain View, California, is an independent firm specializing in marketing communications and public relations for both emerging and technology companies. Airfoil Industry Leadership Groups serve a growing client roster across a multitude of technology segments in consumer, enterprise, health care, industrial/green and automotive. The agency's client solutions group provides depth of experience to inform and accelerate clients' marketing communications, digital and social media, brand strategy and public affairs programs. Airfoil has been named Technology Agency of the Year by the Holmes Report and recognized as a top firm in numerous industry rankings. For more information about Airfoil Public Relations, please call 866.AIR.FOIL.

Contact:
Jane Berger
Airfoil Public Relations248.304.1468
berger@airfoilpr.com
Airfoil Public Relations – High Tech PR – www.airfoilpr.com