Get Creative this Budgeting Season: Creative PR Campaign Ideas

Here at Abel, we like to start brainstorming sessions with the phrase, “How might we?” As in:

  • How might we engage with our clients in more meaningful ways?
  • How might we help (insert client name) become more well-known for (insert area of expertise)?
  • How might we enjoy our work more?
  • How might we create and deliver the kinds of programs that crush our clients’ goals?
  • How might we, how might we, how might we?

As the calendar flips to the fall and budgeting season, I’d like to inspire you to develop creative PR Campaign ideas. Get creative as you consider how to invest your valuable time, energy, and money, using the phrase “How might we…” to inspire possibilities.

I believe in experimentation over sweeping, concrete decisions that might change things all at once. The phrase, “How might we…” provides the freedom to try something different and allows new thinking to explore creative PR campaign ideas.

Here are three quick creative PR campaign case studies that came about as a result of an effective “How might we?” conversation:

Creative PR Campaign Idea 1: Little Builders, Big Ideas

We’re always looking for ways to help longtime client Modjeski and Masters stand out among other engineering firms using creative content and coverage. For our latest project, we asked ourselves, “How might we create a video to humanize the firm in a memorable way?” Our solution?  This video is an adorable interview series in which the children of M&M employees sketched iconic bridges that the firm has designed or maintained. In addition to being great content, the video increased employee engagement and reinforced the brand’s employee-centric culture.

Creative PR Campaign Idea 2: Baltimore’s Take on Prestige TV

For the AFRO, the oldest Black-owned business in the state of Maryland (founded in 1892!), our charge is to help the publication reach new audiences and share its perspective and reporting in diverse media outlets. We asked ourselves, “How might we intersect the unique history of the AFRO with modern news and culture?” And came up with the idea for publisher Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper to provide context and commentary on the Apple TV Series, “Lady in the Lake,” which includes many references to the AFRO in the series. Dr. Draper was interviewed by WYPR’s, Sheilah Kast. This unconventional approach showcased the AFRO’s place in history and furthered its mission to increase awareness of the importance of Black media in Baltimore.

Creative PR Campaign Idea 3: Good Will, Great Coverage

“How might we?” is a phrase that can help you—and has helped us—think BIG. For UnitedHealthcare, Abel Communications helped UHC answer the question “How might we improve community goodwill in Richmond, Va.?”  by developing a new Community Cares competition. The competition encouraged businesses and nonprofits in Richmond to nominate themselves for a $10,000 award for the organization that worked most effectively to make Richmond a healthier city. The idea generated an entire platform of coverage, from announcing the competition to notifying the finalists, to staging a “Shark Tank” like finals competition. Along the way, we generated dozens of media hits and tremendous opportunities for genuine connection.

I hope these examples and that simple phrase, “How might we?” encourage you to take a few calculated risks in the next budgeting season. If we can help you think through some of those opportunities, drop me a line anytime at greg@abelcommuncations.com. 

Let’s ideate! Fill out a quick inquiry form. We look forward to getting creative with you.