PUBLIC RELATIONS · 2025

Arcadia Health.
Crisis in.
Confidence out.
Six weeks.

A post-merger identity crisis threatening patient trust and media reputation — resolved with a single, unifying narrative and 68 earned placements.

68
Earned media placements in 6 weeks
+41%
Patient trust scores (post-campaign)
0
Negative stories published after launch

The brief

Arcadia Health had just completed a merger with a regional competitor — and the press wasn't kind. Two brands, two cultures, two patient bases, and a board demanding a unified public face within the quarter. The wrong move would accelerate the narrative. The right one could flip it entirely.

Our approach

We didn't try to change the story. We changed the frame. Instead of defending the merger, we made it the lead: "Two networks. One mission." The message acknowledged the disruption and pivoted immediately to what it meant for patients. Press-first, then community, then digital. Speed and consistency above all.

What we made

01 — Narrative architecture

Crisis messaging framework, key message hierarchy, and spokesperson talking points across 11 scenarios.

02 — Media relations

Proactive outreach to 200+ health, business, and regional journalists. Earned placements in WSJ Health, Modern Healthcare, and local markets.

03 — Community comms

Town hall preparation, patient letter series, and community liaison programme for both legacy networks.

04 — Rebrand rollout

Unified visual identity launch coordinated across 23 facilities simultaneously, with a press event and live media Q&A.

"In six weeks they turned the worst story in our history into the best one we've ever told." — Dr. Marcus Reyes, CEO, Arcadia Health
The numbers
3.2×
Media reach vs. pre-merger baseline
92%
Positive or neutral media sentiment
14%
Increase in new patient inquiries
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