DO MORE THAN COMMUNICATE. ADVOCATE.

CHALLENGE

Today, stakeholders expect more from brands. Myriad high priority issues demand - and fragment - attention as well as impact. The result is a laundry list of priorities with little progress, little brand differentiation and ephemeral brand equity gains.

OPPORTUNITY

Build thought leadership as differentiated as your brand - strategic, specific, substantive and sustained. The result is a stronger and more resilient brand reputation built on impact, not rhetoric.

SERVICES

Windward supports the full advocacy journey, from narrative development to public opinion polling to owned, earned, and paid media strategy and engagement.

 

1

IDENTIFY THE CHALLENGE, DEFINE THE MISSION

  • Align challenge with business expertise.

  • Define a mission that will be successful, sustainable and reinforce the core business.

2

FORM PARTNERSHIPS, DEVELOP SOLUTIONS

  • Start with the work, not the message. Make it real, make it specific and make it timely.

  • Partner with outside experts to provide credibility and operationalize the work.

3

IDENTIFY STAKEHOLDERS, CONDUCT RESEARCH

  • Identify stakeholders (e.g. customers, investors, media, public officials) integral to credibility, adoption and amplification.

  • Conduct public opinion polling, develop and test messaging.

 

4

DEVELOP THE NARRATIVE, CUSTOMIZE KEY MESSAGES

  • Create a compelling, overarching story. Customize it for target audiences.

  • Explain the urgency of the challenge, why the organization is best suited to tackle it and the plan do it.

5

EDUCATE STAKEHOLDERS, BUILD A COALITION & MOTIVATE TO ACTION

  • Meet key stakeholders where they are. Engage and explain why the issue is important to them and their constituents.

  • Build a diverse and effective coalition. Equip them with simple, actionable ways to get involved.

6

LEAD THE WAY VIA OWNED, EARNED & PAID MEDIA

  • Issue the call-to-action broadly. Share lessons learned so others can partner and replicate it.

  • Solidify reputation built on aggressive goals, substantive progress and long-term brand equity.