Ellis Strategies Success Stories
Since 2005, Ellis Strategies has worked with a diverse group of outstanding businesses, institutions, associations and individuals. Please view some of our recent success stories from various public relations, video production and media training clients.
John F. Kennedy Library and Museum
Public Relations
The JFK Library contracted with Ellis Strategies to support a robust media relations effort spanning the four months leading into the birthday celebration over Memorial Day weekend. ES allocated two account reps, plus Matt Ellis, to create, execute and manage the media plan. Working in concert with the Library’s internal team, ES identified the events, themes and media targets that would yield the most meaningful coverage. Some stories that were placed were event-driven – like the weekend of touch football games organized around the country to highlight President Kennedy’s commitment to physical fitness (as well as his family’s enjoyment for the backyard game) or the Library’s newly curated exhibit highlighting 100 artifacts from JFK’s life – while others were more thematic, like JFK’s enduring legacy in the field of public service and his favorite haunts around the City of Boston.
In all, ES generated media attention around more than 15 events, ranging from a naturalization ceremony for 200 new Americans, to the presentation of the 2017 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award to President Barack Obama, to the preparation (and cutting) of a one-of-a-kind birthday cake for 1,000 Library guests. ES helped the JFK Library create a “drumbeat of coverage” around the centennial, which also included placing opinion articles from notable sources that would further the four key themes of JFK’s life.
Beyond just pitching stories and coordinating logistics, ES worked carefully to determine how different media entities could receive exclusive photos, interview or access to pieces of the JFK story so that coverage of JFK’s life and legacy were differentiated in print, broadcast and web-only media. For example, a piece published in “Women’s Wear Daily” focused on JFK’s effortless style and how it shaped a generation, while another article in the Boston Globe examined the legacy of Kennedy’s famous “Ask not” inaugural speech, which ushered in a period of national ambition and pride.

Citizen Schools
Public Relations
During its three-year engagement, Citizen Schools has gone through a number of changes, which has demanded a careful media strategy. The organization shuffled its top management; eliminated services in some regions while expanding in others; and started a process to reimagine how it utilizes public and private money to have a greater impact. Ellis Strategies focused on highlighting and publicizing educational successes, partnerships that bring civic and business leaders into the classroom, and public policy initiatives aimed at improving opportunities for all school children. ES successfully minimized “bad news,” while maximizing opportunities to tell good stories. As a result of the work, Citizen Schools has been highlighted for its unique approach to experiential learning in major news organizations like Forbes Magazine, The Chicago Tribune, WCVB TV in Boston and YES! Magazine, among others.

Urban Land Institute
Public Relations
For the past several years, Ellis Strategies has successfully increased ULI’s pubic visibility. On several occasions, ULI programs and research studies have been featured on the front page of the Boston Globe as well as on WBZ Newsradio 1030, four local television stations and two local National Public Radio affiliates. In one particular case, media attention surrounding ULI’s Hub and Spoke report on public transportation prompted hearings at the Massachusetts State House aimed at increasing funding for bus, subway and commuter rail service.
View the full Boston Globe article

Perkins School for the Blind
Public Relations
We have assembled a team of professionals to create content and conduct media outreach. We produce press releases, newsletter articles, magazine articles and public service announcement scripts. We also work closely with state partners to highlight consumers who are benefiting from the program. It is gratifying to be involved in this project because we are meeting and talking to people whose lives have been transformed by technology. People who lived as shut-ins with little outside contact are now connected to friends, family and community.
Ellis Strategies provides additional public relations support to the Perkins Braille and Talking Book Library and to Perkins Products, a retail division providing the latest tools and technologies allowing people with all levels of vision the ability to read, write and enjoy an improved quality of life.

Northeastern University
Media Training
Ellis Strategies has conducted several media training sessions for members of Northeastern’s cabinet, deans and spokespersons. We work closely with the Office of External Affairs to craft questions that match what Northeastern’s spokespeople would face from reporters at the local newspapers, radio and TV stations.
The results speak for themselves. Northeastern continues to make news in Boston and communicate effectively through the local media.

Elliot Health System
Media Training
Ellis Strategies works with the hospital’s Public Affairs Department to help prepare hospital leaders, section chiefs and spokespeople for all types of media interviews. Our deep understanding of the Boston media landscape ensures EHS is prepared for a promotional interview with a local newspaper reporter as well as probing questions from Boston’s investigative journalists.

Tufts Medical Center
Video Production
For the past few years, Ellis Strategies has been proud to work with Tufts Medical Center to produce videos for the Working Wonders event. We have had the opportunity to meet some amazing patients, care givers and hospital leaders and share their stories. The Tufts Medical Center Trust uses these videos to illustrate how the work being done in the hospital and throughout research facilities results in cutting edge care and healthier families.

Institute for Healthcare Improvement
Video Production
Starting in 2010, IHI partnered with Ellis Strategies to create IHI TV as a vehicle to feature in-depth video presentations that highlight quality improvement initiatives from organizations delivering patient care across the U.S. and overseas. We have been honored to meet and profile the leaders who are shaping a better patient experience, improving outcomes and promoting healthier communities.
The IHI TV stories are featured on a network of video screens around the conference site and on dedicated hotel TV channels during the annual Forum. They also reside on a special IHI TV website and on the websites of the featured organizations.
