Industry Thought Leader Highlight: April 2020
Throughout the year, a series of Industry Thought Leader Highlights will recognize members of the team who are elevating Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals as a leading organization within the industry.
Congratulations to Clark Sweat, Chief Experience Officer, for publishing an article on Forbes, as well as having a guest appearance on HouseSmarts radio, and Mike Kinney, Managing Director of Digital Fundraising & Extra Life, for presenting at The Digital Pivot Virtual Conference.
Clark expertly speaks to Compassion And Creativity In Times Of Crisis in his most recent Forbes article, where he provides examples of how CMN Hospitals is overcoming the effect of COVID-19, as well as daily challenges. He shares the importance of authenticity in communication and methods for innovatively tackling crises head-on when “business as usual” isn’t feasible. In his HouseSmarts radio interview (April 4), Clark raised awareness of the need for funding children’s hospitals, explaining the value of unrestricted funds. He also highlighted how listeners could support Children’s Hospitals Week.
Children’s Hospitals Week occurred virtually April 6-12, focusing on the impact donors make when supporting children’s hospitals and raising awareness that kids can’t wait. Over 130 celebrities participated and stood alongside CMN Hospitals to speak to the importance of changing kids’ health to change the future. CMN Hospitals had a social reach of 619.5 million impressions across Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, which was a 77% increase over last year.
Mike Kinney presented at The Digital Pivot virtual conference, speaking to the value of live stream fundraising and how to build an effective program. Highlighting the success and learnings of Extra Life and Extra Life United, Mike educated attendees on how to shift in-person events to digital activations and the benefits live streaming can have.
Additionally, Julie Breckenkamp, Managing Director of Corporate Partnerships, and her team hosted a corporate partner webinar highlighting the need for fundraising dollars during COVID-19. They also introduced the new “Kids Can’t Wait” POS material along with the COVID-19 Relief Fund. Dr. Tina Cheng with John’s Hopkins Children’s Hospital and Dr. Emily Sterrett with Duke University Health System shed light on personal experiences and challenges that many children’s hospitals are faced with today and in the times ahead, showing the impact their donations make. Many partners have been on the frontlines of COVID-19. CMN Hospitals recognizes their efforts through the article series Supporting Those That Support The Kids.
If you would like to learn more about CMN Hospitals’ leadership within the industry, please view the most recent articles in our series: Industry Thought Leader Highlight: February 2020, Industry Thought Leader Highlight: March 2020