Steve Smith Charitable Fund
Former NBA and Michigan State University basketball star Steve Smith relies on Truscott Rossman to manage communications for his charitable activities. The Steve Smith Charitable Fund began as a scholarship to those students from Steve’s alma mater, Detroit Pershing High School, who wished to attend Michigan State University. The charity has since grown to meet broader needs in the communities that have supported Steve throughout his life. Truscott Rossman guides the fund’s media relations and online communications activities and supports the outreach needs of fundraisers like the several Steve Smith Charity Challenge golf outings throughout the state of Michigan.
Sparrow Hospital Contract Negotiation Crisis Communications
In 2010 Sparrow Hospital was in the middle of tense contract negotiations with its nurses union. The nurses had been threatening a strike over the Thanksgiving holiday that would have cost the hospital millions of dollars. Truscott Rossman was brought on board to provide a trusted media relations and crisis communications strategy to ensure the hospital’s offers were accurately presented in the media. By acting as the credible, independent voice of the hospital to the community and keeping the media informed with the latest information at all hours of the day – even 11pm news conferences – Truscott Rossman was able combat misinformation and maintain Sparrow’s reputation in the community. This allowed hospital executives to focus on successfully resolving the contract dispute and avoid a strike.
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America
In 2007, America’s pharmaceutical research companies launched the Partnership for Prescription Assistance, a nationwide effort to raise awareness of patient assistance programs and the need to effectively address the rising and alarming rates of chronic disease. Truscott Rossman provides a range of services to PPA, ranging from media relations to travel plan assistance, site selection and coalition-building. We’re also proud to serve as the main contact for Michigan residents and organizations seeking more information about PPA.
Knapp’s Centre Redevelopment
When Lansing-based developer The Eyde Company needed to secure city approval of tax incentives for the redevelopment of the historic Knapp’s Centre building - one of Lansing’s most recognizable buildings and among the largest economic development projects in the city’s history – they turned to Truscott Rossman to build the public support needed to ensure a quick approval process. Truscott Rossman secured multiple days of positive front page headlines when the $30 million redevelopment was first announced and didn’t look back. Our media relations strategies ensured positive editorial support both from the Lansing State Journal and from several key influencers via letters-to-the-editor and guest viewpoint columns. In the end, the Lansing City Council unanimously supported the Knapp’s Centre at every stage of the approval process.
2008 Detroit Zoo Millage Campaign
In 2006 the city of Detroit withdrew all funding for the Detroit Zoo, forcing it to “sink or swim” based on its own development capacity. The zoo survived 2007 without public funding but approached Truscott Rossman to help it plan, manage and execute an integrated communications campaign to win the support it needed to pass a regional property tax millage in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne county. Truscott Rossman developed an “Our Zoo is Worth Keeping” campaign that led to increased zoo attendance, editorial endorsements from every newspaper outlet in the metro region and overwhelming election victory with 67 percent support in traditionally “anti-tax” Macomb County, 75 percent support in Oakland County and 73 percent support in Wayne County.
Boji Group
The construction of a new office building in downtown Lansing created more than simple construction obstacles for development company Boji Group. To build the Capitol View complex, the company had to negotiate a complex agreement with both the City of Lansing and the State of Michigan for the property. The project actually required special legislation to be passed before it could go forward. Boji Group had to negotiate a complex land-swap between the city and the state to put this land to productive use with a new 160,000 square foot building. Truscott Rossman used its contacts and experience in local and state government to smooth the process, also handling all media relations for this project.
Michigan Jobs & Energy Coalition
Michigan’s need for reform of the flawed electric deregulation law of 2000 was well documented in several studies that concluded, absent legislative action, Michigan’s public utilities would be unable make the major investments needed to deliver reliable and affordable supplies of power. Deep ideological and political divisions in the legislature and well-funded opposition made legislative action highly unlikely.
Truscott Rossman was brought in to compliment DTE and CMS Energy’s corporate communications campaign and launch the Michigan Jobs & Energy Coalition (MJEC). The MJEC was composed of several thousand individuals and nearly 400 organizations and included the state’s most influential business, economic development and community and labor organizations. DTE, CMS and Truscott Rossman – through the MJEC – engaged in a broad spectrum of public advocacy activities including advertising, media relations, outreach to employees, retirees and shareholders, grassroots advocacy and direct lobbying. This intensive statewide strategic effort resulted in overwhelming bipartisan votes in the Michigan House and Senate. Governor Jennifer Granholm signed the comprehensive energy law on Oct. 6, 2008. Today, Truscott Rossman and the MJEC continue to fight to support the timely implementation of the state’s 2008 comprehensive energy law.
Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative
Truscott Rossman was brought on in 2010 to provide strategic communications consulting and services to support the Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative (GLSI). The Great Lakes Fishery Trust established the Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative in 2007 to develop stewards of the Great Lakes. The GLSI is a 10-year, $10 million program designed to increase awareness and understanding of the ecology of the Great Lakes. It will enable Michigan residents to become effective stewards of the Great Lakes and advocates for the long-term sustainability of their fisheries.