BARKER AIMS TO REINVENT PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF THE HOSPITAL EXPERIENCE WITH BOLD NEW CAMPAIGN FOR HOLY NAME MEDICAL CENTER

TAKES A UNIQUE STANCE ON HEALTHCARE MARKETING WITH BRIGHT, SPIRITED MESSAGING

(NEW YORK, NY – July 25, 2018)– New York-based independent advertising agency BARKER today launched a campaign for Holy Name Medical Center, with the aim of reinventing the public’s perception of the typical hospital experience, which often includes somber-toned healthcare marketing ads.  The new work is based on individual’s real-life stories, but the agency has taken a radically different approach to the traditional healthcare testimonials we are accustomed to. BARKER has moved away from the tired language, imagery and tone of past  healthcare campaigns, and instead created messaging that is bright, positive and raw in emotion.

“We are so excited about the work BARKER has done for this campaign, making it so different from anything else in the marketplace,” said Jessica Griffin, Director, PR, Holy Name. “Using patient testimonials is not a new concept, but BARKER has flipped the idea on its head. Healthcare can be a difficult topic, but we are certain that the eye-catching colors, conversational tone and bold headlines BARKER created will reinvent the public’s perception of the overall hospital experience.  For more than a decade the industry has been stuck in a rut, and BARKER changed that.”

BARKER spent weeks with patients, understanding their stories and how the treatment they received at Holy Name Medical Center was different, hence the campaign tagline titled, “This Place is Different.” BARKER credits the unusual tagline as a platform for the positive patient experiences portrayed in the campaign. Whether a cancer survivor, a new mother, or someone recently diagnosed with MS, the ads highlight how Holy Name treats patients as people, not numbers, and go the extra mile to make sure everyone’s needs are met.

The creative, which features lines like “This is What a New Lease on Life Looks Like,” and “This is What Three Years Cancer Free Looks Like,” will be featured across social, digital, local billboards and print, as well as on the Holy Name microsite. BARKER also handled media buying and planning.

“BARKER is excited to launch this new campaign with Holy Name Medical Center, and help shake up a market that desperately needs it,” said John Barker, Chief Idea Officer at BARKER. “Healthcare should be about the patients, and the level of care they receive, so we are happy to help showcase these amazing real life stories of people overcoming their health obstacles thanks to Holy Name in a positive, emotional and vibrant way.”

About Holy Name:

Holy Name Medical Center is a comprehensive, 361-bed acute care facility providing technologically advanced and leading edge care across a continuum that encompasses education, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and wellness maintenance. Nearly 1,000 physicians, representing dozens of medical specialties, provide personal attention in a culturally-sensitive environment, creating an exceptional health care experience for every patient.

About BARKER:

New York-based indie advertising agency, BARKER is an alternative to the Madison Avenue mindset, refusing to build brands on an assembly line. Founded in 2003, it represents the intersection of marketing and management consulting where bold innovation changes the course of brands and builds businesses.  A hands-on team composed of cross-functional talent and inspired by a “no definitions” internal culture, BARKER has been honored with over 100 international awards, including Clios, OMMA Awards, Midas, Pro Max North America Awards, Davey Awards, Communicator and Webby Awards. Clients include Bausch + Lomb, Miele, Totes Isotoner, IDB Bank, Petro Home Services and Parx Casino.

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