OpEd Success

The problem.  A broad coalition of patient advocates and medical researchers wanted to encourage citizens around the country to write opinion pieces (OpEds) in support of embryonic stem cell research. At the time, stem cell research was not a “hot” topic for editors, and had received very little public attention. Moreover, the issue was complex, and not easy to explain quickly and clearly.

The solution.  In a dozen key media markets, the coalition sought out local spokespeople as OpEd authors. Jeff Porro worked with these authors, helping them craft their personal stories into OpEds, and pitching many of the OpEds to local newspapers.

The result.  Stem cell research OpEds were submitted to 20 newspapers. Within 6 months, 14 were published or accepted for publication. Then Porro associates helped local spokespeople across the country with OpEds opposing a ban on therapeutic cloning. In less than 9 months, 20 more OpEds were published . Before long more than 50 OpEds on regenerative medicine, written with the help of Porro Associates, were published in major papers around the country. (See below).