Case Study
Williams Institute
Building Capacity to Improve and Manage Communications
About the client
The Williams Institute conducts rigorous, independent research on sexual orientation and gender identity law and public policy. A national think tank at UCLA Law, the Williams Institute produces high-quality research with real-world relevance and disseminates it to judges, legislators, policymakers, media, and the public.
Raben helped assess the Williams Institute’s internal communication needs and identified technology or other infrastructure needs to build its capacity to improve and manage communications. Our work with the Institute was complemented by our own intelligence and outreach within the Washington, DC, New York, Los Angeles, and other key markets and, with our contacts in government, business, education, media, and other key LGBT organizations.
The Williams Institute partnered with The Raben Group to render media relations and provide strategic communications work. We have successfully developed and implemented communications strategies across many policy fields — including issues that impact the LGBT community — which placed us in a strong position to assist the Williams Institute with press outreach, project management, and capacity building.
Through our partnership, we provided strategic guidance in planning rollouts of Institute reports and promoting Institute events to ensure research reaches targeted audiences. We developed and increased the Institute’s media presence in mainstream, ethnic, and issue/discipline-based media, as well as in social media and blogs — building their relationships with and ensuring repeated coverage by the Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Associated Press, and Washington Post. During our first year working with the Williams Institute, we more than tripled their media mentions from 383 mentions to 1,146 mentions. We also engaged Congress on behalf of the Williams Institute by hosting briefings and facilitating connections with members of Congress and relevant congressional staff.
Raben helped assess the Williams Institute’s internal communication needs and identified technology or other infrastructure needs to build its capacity to improve and manage communications. Together, we put systems in place to ensure that the Williams Institute can proactively shape the news through effective communication and media relations.
Our work with the Williams Institute has been complemented by our own intelligence and outreach within the Washington, DC, New York, Los Angeles, and other key markets and, with our contacts in government, business, education, media, and other key LGBT organizations.
