The Brazilian Cochrane Centre new communication and marketing strategies

Article type
Authors
Fioretti B1, Reiter M1, Torloni MR1, Riera R1, Martimbianco ALC1, Torres MFS1, PorfĂ­rio GJM1, Parra MT1, Silva AAD1, Pesavento TF1, Freitas CG1, Atallah AN1
1Brazilian Cochrane Centre, Brazil
Abstract
Background:
In 2013, the Brazilian Cochrane Centre (BCC) implemented activities for professionals and consumers in order to increase its dissemination. We emphasized considering systematic review (SR) information for health decision making. We report these activities after a year of work.

Objectives:
To report the results of one year's work on new communication and marketing strategies implemented by the BCC.

Methods:
The BCC volunteer collaborators implemented activities from the communication and marketing strategies plan.

Results:
The actions resulted in:
- 18-year identity: the BCC logo has been modified to celebrate the Centre's 18th anniversary.
- We standardised the 18th anniversary logo in all the materials used in virtual and paper communication.
- Improvement of language used on the BCC webpage, in continuous updating of events, and promotion of workshops and activities (including links to new translations and online courses).
- Social media: in its first year the BCC Facebook account had 314 followers. On 27 March 2014, it had grown to 607 followers; 135 posts were published and the top 10 posts had 14,708 accesses. Linkedin, YouTube and Pinterest accounts are being developed.
- Development of a new institutional website: the layout was created to facilitate access to health professionals and consumers. We elaborated the new content by organizing new sessions. The newest version offers more information, it is more functional and allows more communication with other Cochrane Collaboration websites.
- The press: we hired a press adviser to inform the general public and opinion formers about BCC actions and evidence-based health culture. We held an Evidence-Based Health workshop for journalists with more than 20 communication professionals attending.

Conclusions:
The communication and marketing plan activities developed by volunteer collaborators promoted visibility and interaction between the BCC and different sections of the public. It increased recognition of the BCC as a research pioneer center in Brazil. It disseminated the concepts of evidence-based health in Brazil when making health related decisions.