Best of CASE District II Award
 

Institution: McMaster University

Title of entry: Preventing the next pandemic

About this entry: The goal of this ongoing COVID communications strategy is to support and promote the research and medical advances of Canada’s Global Nexus for Pandemics & Biological Threats, a McMaster-based hub that brings together international experts, researchers, industry partners and government.

This includes:
o Highlighting important pandemic-related research through media campaigns, social media and content marketing
o Guiding key researchers in writing and placing opinion and analysis pieces which strategically highlighted the work under way at McMaster and provided critical guidance to the public.
o Supporting the work of our Public Affairs colleagues to ensure research is highlighted in key publications read by government advisors and officials (Toronto Star, Hill Times, for example)
o Promoting our experts to comment on COVID-related issues in the media, which has resulted in a number of media-savvy superstars who are regularly called upon for their analysis including international outlets such as Reuters, NBC, and other American news services
o Targeted media pitching to specific national and international reporters, over many months, to build new relationships and create awareness about our research and our scientists (NY Times, Reuters, NBC, CNN, CBC, G & M, TO Star, National Post, Canadian Press and others)
o Doubling down on our efforts as pandemic-weariness sets in and the media slowly moves onto other issues

· This work has culminated in millions of dollars in funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research for Nexus-related research, including the most recent funding for Phase 2 human trials