Addressing the challenge of an industry talent shortage by challenging conventions.
The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) is the world's largest professional membership organization for pathologists and laboratory professionals. Its mission is to provide excellence in education, certification and advocacy on behalf of patients, pathologists and laboratory professionals across the globe.
Addressing the challenge of an industry talent shortage by challenging conventions.
The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) is the world's largest professional membership organization for pathologists and laboratory professionals. Its mission is to provide excellence in education, certification and advocacy on behalf of patients, pathologists and laboratory professionals across the globe.
gather
Gather insights and information to better understand the desired outcomes, the audience mindset and the available tools and channels.
Business insight
Having such a pulse on the industry, ASCP began to see a pattern of lab technician vacancies and future talent shortfalls across the country. Knowing the work these committed men and women do every day is essential to a healthy public, ASCP partnered with Kindle to address the challenge head on.
Communication Opportunity
ASCP had built connections to many technical schools as well as a strong reputation in math and science programs by supporting STEM initiatives. It was important to leverage these opportunities as a point of access for recruiting qualified students that would soon be eligible lab candidates while, at the same time, gather support from ASCP members and strategic partners to fund the effort.
Audience profile
High school students, guidance counselors, science teachers, all ASCP members and strategic partners
spark
Spark a sound strategy with informed, cohesive creative and design recommendations to maximize engagement and effectiveness.
Approach
Many high school students approaching graduation are asking themselves a lot of questions - trying to identify and understand their next step in life. To address this mindset and communicate the viability of a career in laboratory medicine, we aimed to create a multifaceted campaign that touched every related stakeholder and empowered ambitious students to "find their next".
Recommendations
ignite
Ignite audiences by delivering best-in-class experiences that are thoughtfully-managed and expertly-executed.
Phase One
Phase One development included extensive interviews with pathologists and laboratory professionals as well as visits to innovative medical centers where the lab is in full force. Armed with medical writers and our team of learning experts, we set out to develop guided classroom activities, online Lab Hero learning modules and quizzes as well as quick-start conversation guides for counselors.
At the same time, it involved creating captivating presentations to get key members and strategic partners on board as we looked ahead to even bigger opportunities.
Phase Two
In Phase Two we developed and deployed a system of eye-catching collateral for distribution to high schools across the country. A responsive website backed the campaign - providing students with next steps and teachers and counselors with promotional and educational materials.
Phase Three
Phase Three saw all of the campaign components and constituencies come together at the ASCP Annual Meeting in Tampa. Here, we introduced the NEXTPO as a way to market specifically to the students in attendance and create content that was relevant to them. Members were able to interact with the students and see firsthand the commitment made by ASCP to address the industry's most pressing challenges.
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