News and Insights
FINN Partners Global Health Impact Group
March 6, 2024
Each thread in the tapestry of public health represents a challenge, an opportunity, and a responsibility.
The formation of the Global Health Impact group marks a pivotal moment in FINN Partners’ journey – taking all of the resources of one of the world’s top marketing communications agencies and channeling them to focus on making the world healthier and more sustainable.
The Mission of the Global Health Impact Group
At the core of our mission lies a transformative vision: to equip our clients with the tools and strategies necessary to make a meaningful difference in global health. Our approach is designed to amplify our clients’ capabilities. Contributing to global health can go hand in hand with achieving business success. Our integrated approach ensures that our clients’ investments in health initiatives support their branding, market access, and overall business strategy. By aligning social impact with business objectives, we help our clients build a legacy of responsibility, innovation, and leadership in their industries.
Our focus spans across continents, touching lives in over 130 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas – a testament to the scale of our ambition and the breadth of our reach.
Our team has one common goal: to save lives and improve healthcare wherever the standard is below what’s expected in the developed world.
My experiences and personal journey resonate deeply with the group’s mission. Having navigated the complex landscapes of public health communication and advocacy for years, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of practical, empathetic, and strategic communication. It’s a power that informs policies, changes public attitudes, and saves lives. Being part of the leadership of this new initiative, I see an unparalleled opportunity to leverage this power, catalyse change, and drive a health-forward narrative that transcends borders and barriers.
The Genesis of the Global Health Impact Group
From the beginning, FINN Partners has been a hub of innovation and collaboration with a deep commitment to making a tangible difference in the world. This ethos laid the groundwork for forming a specialised group drawn from across the agency’s talent pool and dedicated to global health. The need has become critical due to emerging health crises, environmental challenges, and growing global socio-economic disparities affecting health outcomes.
A New Strategy
Our strategy is built on a foundation of collaboration, integrating various practices within FINN Partners to offer our clients a comprehensive suite of services. We bring diverse expertise to address the complex landscape of global health: education, technology, sustainability & ESG and public affairs. Our clients benefit from tailored strategies leveraging media connections, stakeholder engagement, and advocacy to drive social and business outcomes. Together, our mission is to elevate the most pressing health and economic development issues of our time, transcending traditional boundaries of public health communication.
As we embarked on this venture, it became clear that the group needed to be more than just a coalition of experts. It had to be a dynamic, adaptive force capable of addressing the diverse public health needs of over 130 countries.
The Global Health Impact group is not just a new division but a manifestation of a long-held belief at FINN Partners – that communication can change the world.
The Team and Collaborative Approach
The Group is defined by the people who bring these goals to life. Our collaborative approach is the keystone of our strategy, acknowledging that the complexities of global health cannot be addressed in silos but through the synergy of diverse expertise. We’re not just consultants but partners committed to co-creating innovative solutions that address health challenges while advancing our clients’ strategic interests.
Our collaborative approach extends beyond the internal team. We actively seek partnerships with NGOs, pharmaceutical companies, vaccine manufacturers, governments, healthcare providers, and grassroots communities. These partnerships are not mere alignments of interests but deep-rooted collaborations to achieve shared goals. They allow us to tap into local knowledge, expand our reach, and enhance the effectiveness of our initiatives.
This ethos of collaboration is also reflected in our approach to problem-solving. We believe in co-creating solutions for those most affected by health issues. Together, we can develop evidence-based, culturally sensitive, and contextually relevant strategies.
As a leadership team member, my role is pivotal in steering this collaborative approach. It involves aligning our team’s diverse skills and expertise and nurturing external partnerships that can amplify our impact.
Public Policy and Communications Support for Health
At the heart of the Global Health Impact group’s mission is a deep-seated commitment to advancing public health globally through research into the drivers of change and its barriers. We use that research to develop targeted communication strategies that steer public discourse and policy decisions. Our approach is rooted in a deep understanding of the diverse cultural, socio-economic, and political landscapes across the countries we serve. This objective extends beyond mere information dissemination – it is about igniting dialogues, challenging norms, and fostering an environment conducive to positive health outcomes.
Meeting client objectives
Our clients want to make the world better. They focus on a wide range of issues. Some of those that excite us most involve access to health services and the economic opportunities that better health can generate.
Health Inequities Across Continents
A core tenet of our mission is to bridge the health equity gap. We aim to ensure that our initiatives and campaigns are inclusive, addressing the needs of the most vulnerable and marginalised populations; focusing on equity, we strive to contribute to a world where health prospects are not dictated by geography, economic status, or social standing.
Emerging Health Threats
We want to address emerging health challenges in an era marked by rapid changes in global health dynamics. This includes being at the forefront of efforts against new and re-emerging infectious diseases, understanding and mitigating the health impacts of climate change, and preparing for the inevitability of future pandemics.
Building Resilient Health Systems
Many global challenges stem from fragile health systems, particularly in developing countries. We are part of efforts to strengthen these systems by improving healthcare infrastructure, supporting workforce training, and improving supply chain mechanisms for essential medicines and health products.
Supporting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Our work aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to health and well-being. We are committed to contributing to the global agenda of eradicating poverty, ensuring healthy lives, and promoting well-being for all.
Global Collaboration for Local Impact
Global health challenges require global solutions. Our collaborative efforts extend beyond national boundaries, involving partnerships with international organisations, governments, and global health bodies. We leverage these collaborations to bring about local impacts, tailoring our approaches to the unique needs of each region we serve.
The Road Ahead
We want to make an even bigger impact in future. Our roadmap is defined by ambitious plans and aspirations that seek to make a lasting impact on communities worldwide.
Expanding our Reach
While we have made significant strides in over 130 countries, a vast landscape remains to explore and impact. We will focus on penetrating deeper into regions where health disparities are most pronounced, bringing our expertise and resources to those who need them most.
Innovating for Health
We aim to be at the forefront of technological advancements in healthcare communication and policy advocacy. This includes harnessing digital tools and platforms to enhance our outreach and impact and exploring new media strategies to engage with diverse audiences more effectively.
Strengthening Partnerships
We plan to forge new alliances with global health bodies, local governments, and NGOs, enhancing our collaborative approach. These partnerships are about expanding our network and creating synergies that can drive substantial change in public health.
Empowering Communities
We aspire to develop programs that address immediate health needs and build capacity for long-term health resilience. This involves education initiatives, community health programs, and advocacy campaigns that enable communities to take charge of their health outcomes.
Driving Policy Change
Our goal is to be a key influencer in shaping health policies that are equitable, sustainable, and impactful. We will continue to advocate for policies that address the root causes of health challenges and promote the well-being of all sections of society.
Conclusion
The challenges in global health are formidable, but the opportunities and potential for impact are even more substantial.
As part of this groundbreaking group’s leadership, I am constantly reminded of our immense responsibility. Our mission goes beyond the conventional boundaries of public health communication. It is about sparking change, advocating for the underserved, and pushing the frontiers of what is possible in global health advocacy and policy. The Global Health Impact group is not just an entity within FINN Partners; it is a movement towards a healthier, more equitable world.
In a world where business and social responsibility increasingly intersect, the Global Health Impact group stands ready to empower our clients to make a lasting impact on global health. Through strategic communication, advocacy, and collaborative partnerships, we provide a unique platform for our clients to address critical health issues while achieving their business goals. Together, we can shape a healthier future for communities around the globe, demonstrating that business success and social impact are not just compatible—they’re inseparable.
I am honoured to be a part of this journey and am filled with hope and determination for what we can achieve together. The road ahead is long, but the future is bright with the promise of improved health.
POSTED BY: Christopher Nial
