Communications and Engagement

We help clients position their brands with national and local thought leaders, and generate cost-effective PR. We know how to generate positive word-of-mouth – and how to leverage it. Our industry initiatives consistently generate millions of positive media impressions for our underwriters, and our reputation for integrity has garnered the trust of key national associations, and thought leaders. On multiple occasions, our work has received extensive coverage in the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, the Washington Post, USA Today, Newsweek, NPR, MSNBC, CNN, AP and many other national and international outlets. We also work with major Fortune 100 clients and non-profit organizations on their messaging strategy and communications initiatives.

Public Research: Cutting Through the Noise

Many companies and organizations are interested in more effective messaging to customers, key prospects, industry, thought leaders and the public. But reaching these audiences is difficult. Important organizational messages get lost amidst the “noise” from multiple media and a fragmented public. Well designed public surveys are a very effective way of addressing these challenges by cutting through the media noise while simultaneously influencing the debate over complicated issues.

Grunwald creates and executes high impact public studies for clients such as PBS, the George Lucas Foundation, the Educational Testing Service, and the National Cable Television Association. We have an unbroken track record of successfully identifying research topics that yield the most powerful findings – and then teasing out message points from the findings and designing campaigns that promote results. Reports from our studies help deliver often complex messages to national and local thought leaders and the general public. For example, for the past seven years we have conducted PBS’s Annual Survey of Educational Media & Technology. Our recent study for Chorus America was the foundation of a powerful four-minute piece on the CBS morning news. You can view the clip on YouTube. The full report is available as a PDF.

Grunwald Associates also conducts a series of industry-wide studies on subjects such as technology, education, and families. These industry initiatives consistently generate millions of positive media impressions for our underwriters, which include Sesame Workshop, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Educational Testing Service, Verizon, Microsoft, Kodak, News Corporation, BellSouth, and AT&T. Our reputation for research integrity and creativity has garnered the trust of key national education associations and local educators. As a result, we are able to work with partners such as the PTAs, National School Boards Association, CoSN and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Examples of our industry-wide studies can be found on our reports page.

Underwrite a Public Study

Participate in ground-breaking research, cut through media "noise," and reinforce your company or organization’s positioning by underwriting a public study. Here is an example:

Parent/Taxpayer Perspectives on Education

Because the voices of parents are largely absent from the national political dialogue, we’re developing a survey of U.S. parents of K-12 students to capture their views. The survey will be conducted with the Learning First Alliance (LFA), the umbrella group for the nation’s leading education associations. The study will explore parent/taxpayer perspectives on education, technology and aspirations for their children. If you’re interested in this underwriting opportunity, please see our study prospectus.

Corporate Communications: Alliances, Endorsements and Advisory Boards

We help clients obtain industry endorsements, create advisory boards and alliances, and manage stakeholder relationships with key communities, education organizations, information companies, entertainment producers, and thought leaders. Our team members have worked with major telecommunications companies in creating successful coalitions with leading associations, information provider companies, and others. In fact, our team members built the original relationships between the Regional Bell Companies and leading educational associations, and we have performed the same function for many technology companies since then. Examples of our work include:

• Creating a coalition of independent movie/TV producers on behalf of telecommunications clients.
• Conducting the cyber-promotion (and building the website) for theatrically released movie “The Deal” starring Christian Slater, Selma Blair, and John Heard.
• Design, creation and maintenance of a website for the National Science Foundation promoting best practices in ‘citizen science’ and informal science education.

Our role includes everything from identifying potential partners and screening candidates, to suggesting deal points and participating in discussions as appropriate. Clients have included: the Regional Bell Operating Companies, Fleet Financial Group, Family Education Network, and other local and national companies. Whether you are interested in creating a new advisory board, reaching industry leaders, or establishing media relations, Grunwald Associates can help you develop the strategy, message and relationships to accomplish your goals.