
The Situation
MAP International, a nonprofit organization that provides life-changing medicines and health supplies to people in need, holds an annual global health gala that publicizes its name and serves as a fundraiser. MAP International annually presents the Bill Foege Global Health Awards to recognize people and organizations whose contributions to the progress of global health measure substantially.
The Approach
HBI was hired to plan and execute the 2nd annual Bill Foege Global Health Awards fundraiser and develop a comprehensive media strategy to promote the event. To build relationships with sponsors and the community, HBI utilized its relationships with local leaders in politics, business and health industries to create an executive committee to serve as ambassadors for the awards ceremony. HBI guided the committee, which was chaired by Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines, and Martha Brooks, chair of CARE USA. Honorary co-chairs included Billye and Hank Aaron, Ted Turner and Ambassador Andrew J. Young. HBI created and issued all sponsorship materials needed to get the word out about the Bill Foege Global Health Awards and its mission. Along with executive committee guidance, HBI pitched the media story angles related to the awards ceremony leading up to the event and post event.
The event was emceed by Chief Medical Correspondent for CNN, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, while the guest list was filled with prominent leaders and health industry professionals. The program included testimonies on the progress of global health from Dr. Bill Foege and Former Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary of Administration, John Bardis. The program also included an exciting announcement by The Metro Atlanta Chamber regarding its new initiative, Global Health ATL, which is designed to drive Atlanta’s reputation as the “center for global health.” The 2018 award recipients were President Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter, co-founders of The Carter Center, for their contributions in combating diseases in Africa and Latin America and restoring global health. HBI handled all logistics for the event including sponsorship materials, media interviews, venue location, emcee, catering, videography, photography, the program and run of show.