The Hatcher Group employs thoughtful strategies to build successful campaigns that bring an organization’s issue to the forefront. Through creative and traditional means, The Hatcher Group reaches target audiences and spurs them to action.

 

The key to successfully launching an initiative is a comprehensive communications strategy. Beginning with a communications audit, The Hatcher Group works with clients to identify and reach target audiences with a clear, compelling message in the most efficient and effective way possible. This may include:

   • A full-day message development session to create a clear mission statement and tag line
   • Branding to create a consistent look in brochures, reports, online and print materials
   • Planning and executing dissemination activities
   • Targeted press outreach
   • On-camera media training sessions

CASE STUDIES

NATIONAL CAMPAIGN
MOVING AN ISSUE TO THE NATIONAL FOREFRONT: YOUTH AGING OUT OF FOSTER CARE

The Hatcher Group has worked with the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative to draw awareness to theissue of youth who “age out” of foster care. This extensive campaign included national polling, message sessions, branding, a book written by a journalist with the Initiative’s executive director, and a film broadcast on PBS stations nationally. The Hatcher Group also worked with the University of Chicago’s Chapin Hall Center for Children to publicize a major study about youth who age out. We garnered extensive media coverage, including in The New York Times, National Public Radio, the Associated Press, Nightline and local newspaper, radio and TV outlets.

 

The campaign has paid off: More and more states are extending services for foster youth until they turn 21.

 

STATEWIDE CAMPAIGN
MARYLAND CITIZENS AGAINST STATE EXECUTIONS: WORKING TO END THE DEATH PENALTY
Targeting media, lawmakers and the public in 2007 and 2008, The Hatcher Group worked with Maryland Citizens Against State Executions to successfully build momentum to eliminate the death penalty in the state.
The Hatcher Group identified key swing legislators and targeted media in their district, placed op-eds and arranged radio interviews. The Hatcher Group also organized numerous press conferences at the State Capitol. The events were timed to specifically target lawmakers who were pivotal votes in key House and Senate committees. The media coverage and policy work proved successful when Gov. Martin O’Malley testified in favor of anti-death penalty legislation. 

 

CAMPAIGN ACROSS STATES
EXPANDING STATE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDITS FOR WORKING FAMILIES

The federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable tax credit targeting low- and moderate-income working families, mainly those with children. It annually lifts more than 4.4 million Americans out of poverty. Its success triggered state governments to enact state versions of the credit.

 

To assist state groups advocate for EITC legislation, The Hatcher Group launched the State EITC initiative in 2002 with support from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. The Hatcher Group developed StateEITC.com, filled with resources, research and tools on state EITCs. A 50-state resource map summarizes information about each state’s EITC. The Hatcher Group also writes and disseminates a quarterly electronic policy update and works directly with state coalitions on communications plans to reach targeted legislators and audiences. We also provide extensive strategic advice and editorial services.

 

Since 2002, 17 states have either enacted new EITCs or expanded existing credits. In 2007, the Annie E. Casey Foundation provided additional funding for the initiative.

 

CITYWIDE CAMPAIGN
LAUNCHING PROJECT MY TIME: BUILDING A CITYWIDE OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME CAMPAIGN
The Hatcher Group provided extensive communications support to the DC Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation for its major after-school initiative, which was supported by The Wallace Foundation.

 

We conducted focus groups and research to develop a project name that would appeal to parents and youth. We also designed and developed a logo, messages, Web site, e-newsletter, flyers and posters. We also organized a press conference announcing the new initiative, created press releases and pitched targeted local media to gain significant coverage, including The Washington Post KidsPost, the DC Examiner, Philanthropy News Digest, WAMU-FM, and WTOP-FM.

 

The worked helped to spur interest and enrollment at Project My Time schools and to raise awareness about quality after-school programming.