Challenge
The Shanti Project (Shanti), a nonprofit organization dedicated to the well being of people with life-threatening illnesses, retained LCI to manage communications efforts for its merger with Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS), a nonprofit that supports people living with disabling illnesses and disabilities in caring for their pets.
Strategy
LCI worked in tandem with Shanti’s executive director to devise a series of strategic steps ensuring the right messages would be conveyed – and at the right time.
- LCI developed talking points addressing all key stakeholders – donors, volunteers, media and the staffs and boards of directors for both organizations – as well as a strategy and timeline for dissemination of the news to each audience
- LCI developed a merger announcement for news media, external and internal audiences
After the boards of both organizations officially agreed to the merger, LCI worked with Shanti to determine timing for the announcement – first to relevant internal and external audiences, followed by an announcement to the press shortly thereafter.
Results
Once the merger was fully approved, LCI secured coverage with key local media outlets. The result was two separate media announcements/stories: one which announced the approval of the merger and a follow-up announcing its completion. In addition, the new Shanti successfully completed implementation of LCI’s internal communications recommendations and the announcement received unilaterally positive coverage.