Schaefer Advertising Co.

Healthcare

For the TearCare® System, a crucial step in promoting their solution was to become an advocate for change.

Situation

At first glance, dry eye disease (DED) sounds like a mere inconvenience. However, left untreated, this chronic, progressive condition can impact the vision, surgical outcomes and quality of life of millions of patients. Even though meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is the most prevalent form of dry eye, in-office procedures to address it are relatively new — and none are reimbursed by insurers. As a result, only patients who can cover the out-of-pocket expense receive treatment.

The TearCare® System is designed to address MGD by evacuating obstructed glands using therapeutic heat and natural blink responses. However, to gain wider adoption, fair reimbursement was needed. The company sought to change reimbursement policies and broaden access to care by raising awareness of the situation. TearCare® tapped Schaefer to lead this effort.

Tearcare magazine ad and staff holding signs

Goals

  • Reiterate the threats associated with MGD
  • Raise broad, industry-wide awareness of current compensation and reimbursement limitations
  • Reach an array of stakeholders with a message of “Fair Access”
  • Rally the market to support reimbursement and accessibility for the benefit of patients, practices and payors
  • Increase awareness of the TearCare® System
Tearcare magazine ad and staff holding megaphones

Strategy

The client was ready to promote the need for change and had allocated resources to do it. However, to truly influence the market, the brand also needed to demonstrate the growing support of this movement from eye care professionals (ECPs), patients, employers and other key constituents.

Solution

To convey this message, Schaefer created a campaign that captured the feel of a public protest or political rally. In each execution, a real ECP, patient or eye care industry figure appeared with a sign that read “MGD Care Is Not Fair For All.”

Using precise targeting, Schaefer reached optometrists, administrators, payors and other audiences with a “protester/spokesperson” relevant to them. Using faces and names that are known throughout the industry helped build momentum over time, and, ultimately, drove awareness over the top. 

Tearcare ads

Results

By cutting through the clutter of standard medical device advertising, the campaign achieved a high degree of visibility and effectiveness. Within the first few months, the brand realized noticeable results, including:

  • 31K new users to the mytearcare.com site
  • 228 new requests for information on the TearCare® System from qualified users

More importantly, the industry is becoming aware of the need to recognize MGD as a reimbursable procedure — which is a crucial first step to change.

Summary

In this campaign, we effectively humanized a client’s treatment. Rather than promoting features and benefits of a specific solution, we showed the basic need for access to care — and the simple lack of fairness of not covering a widespread condition. We made the cause personal by featuring people our audiences knew — and who unquestionably held the best interests of patients and ECPs as a top priority.

How we helped NCODA translate membership benefits into an actionable message —
and surpass goals by 3X.

trade show

Situation

NCODA is an organization that provides resources, events and educational opportunities that enable oncologists, oncology pharmacists, healthcare professionals, pharmaceutical companies and healthcare students to connect and collaborate for optimal cancer patient outcomes. However, low awareness was keeping the organization from realizing its full potential as an information hub for HCPs seeking unbiased information on innovative oral and IV cancer treatments, as well as career-building tips to keep them engaged in this vital specialty.

Initially, Schaefer Advertising was enlisted to help drive awareness of the organization and its full suite of benefits. As the campaign progressed, internal business priorities shifted from awareness to membership growth. Schaefer partnered with NCODA to determine how to best adapt the current in-market campaign to aligning with the goal of growing the organization’s base through new member sign ups.

doctors

Goals

  • Expand awareness of the organization, its mission and its extensive array of
    member benefits
  • Distill an extensive and complex array of member benefits into a succinct,
    motivating message
  • Adapt to changing priorities by shifting the campaign focus from brand awareness
    to new memberships
  • Drive new memberships through paid media

Strategy

To drive awareness, Schaefer initially developed a strategy that helped humanize the organization by speaking directly to the membership about the difference that interaction and collaboration can make. The aim was to communicate that by joining NCODA, you’re collaborating and connecting with the best minds in the industry – and helping further advances in cancer care. The message was delivered through an omni-channel campaign — a first for the client.

name tags

Solution

Schaefer delivered a campaign and helped control creative costs by photographing actual NCODA members who were attending a scheduled conference. By using actual members, we were able to communicate in a realistic and convincing manner how NCODA helped members benefit by staying connected and tuned in to the latest developments in oncology.

When the business priorities changed the focus of the campaign from awareness to membership enrollment, our media efforts easily adapted to the new direction; it was a matter of moving an already interested audience toward signing up. The Schaefer team responded with speed and agility, making seamless changes to the existing digital assets. We then quickly set a tangible new member goal using estimates based on our experience with average costs per acquisition (CPA).

The revised media strategy was launched — and quickly surpassed expectations.

doctors

Results

All clients have finite resources. For NCODA, the limitations of total media dollars were more pronounced than usual. This challenge was something Schaefer was ready and able to overcome. As a result, building a symbiotic creative and media strategy was key to expanding the brand’s awareness and significantly exceed membership goals in record time.

  • Exceeded paid media membership projections by 3X
  • Surpassed assisted conversion goal
  • Attracted new users to the NCODA website through paid media
  • 74% of all member enrollment page views were generated from paid media

Summary

Schaefer met the initial task of distilling a very robust array of benefits into an easy-to-digest creative and media strategy. But when the strategy shifted to membership, we illustrated our ability to provide significant real bottom-line value. Our agility and flexibility enabled us to quickly re-tool our approach, then develop a media strategy that exceeded all projections. Working within a limited budget, the agency was able to leverage the client’s marketing dollars as effectively as possible. In the end, we clearly illustrated the type of ROI that could be generated by a smart, results-oriented campaign.

Podimetrics had a strong story to tell
— and a new brand to build

Podimetrics Brand Logos

Situation

Diabetes is one of the top health issues in the United States. In fact, costs for diabetes care are more than 400% higher than cancer. One of the leading drivers of that cost is amputation resulting from Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFUs), which results in a limb being amputated every four minutes due to diabetes.

To combat this, Podimetrics developed a web-enabled, remote temperature monitoring system designed to identify the risk of DFUs before symptoms are visibly present — and drive significant cost savings by avoiding costly amputations.

Schaefer took the reins on translating this innovative system into a compelling narrative that would reach key audiences and encourage payor adoption.

Goals: 

  • Support the market launch of a new, breakthrough product
  • Differentiate Podimetrics from competing solutions
  • Explain the system and its benefits to payors and HCPs
  • Support rollout to a low-tech patient base with clear, user-friendly materials
Podimetrics Materials

Strategy

Our team was tasked with creating a new brand and executing multi-channel communications to differentiate Podimetrics and drive sales conversations.

To reach the various audiences, we decided that two specific objectives must be achieved: First, the brand story must be humanized and brought to life in a manner that would resonate with payors, physicians and patients. Second, communications and user pathways should be simplified, to ensure that the relevant messages were reaching each audience and business objectives were being reached.

Podimetrics Website Mockup

Solution

Viewing Podimetrics’ system as something akin to a “canary in the coalmine,” Schaefer used this metaphor to create a consistent brand story that clearly conveyed the benefits of early detection — including the estimate that more than 70% of diabetic foot amputations could be prevented through early detection.

From there, Schaefer conducted a User Experience audit to find opportunities to improve communication throughout the customer journey. We then launched a full suite of materials to support the sales team, including an updated website, product videos, stationary package, and other sales support materials.

For end users, Schaefer also created product packaging that was as user-friendly as the device itself. Knowing the patient profile was less tech-savvy, we scrutinized every aspect of packaging and product setup to ensure everything remained simple, intuitive and frictionless.

Podimetrics Device

Results

Schaefer effectively positioned Podimetrics as a new, holistic system that uncovers and prevents extremity complications from diabetes. This differentiation is allowing Podimetrics to compete for significant national payor contracts, as well as establish notable partnerships with strategic allies such as the American Diabetes Association.

Summary

For diabetic foot wounds, early detection is essential for avoiding amputation and reducing costs. The “canary in a coalmine” solution helped humanize and simplify a complex technology and gave both internal and external audiences a better understanding of its purpose and its benefit. Today, a growing number of payors, physicians and patients are becoming aware of the potential benefit of the Podimetrics system.

Differentiating products with a consistent messaging platform

jenga body collage

Situation

Argon Medical Devices faced a challenge that is not uncommon among large and diverse manufacturers: Their core audience of surgeons and clinical staff knew the names of their more successful product lines (such as Skater™, Option™ and Cleaner™), but had little awareness of their corporate brand. This made expansion and cross-selling across their 2,000-product portfolio more difficult.

This was particularly true of their soft tissue biopsy division which, as their largest U.S. division, accounted for a significant portion of the total soft tissue biopsy market. However, the biopsy market had remained stagnant as a category and Argon and Schaefer saw an opportunity to differentiate the lead product, BioPinceTM, by selling against an emotional benefit for the interventional radiologist. Schaefer leapt at the challenge to set the biopsy division apart from the crowd — while providing a consistent platform that would support the various biopsy products and areas of specialization including lung, kidney, liver and breast.

Goals

  • Differentiate the Argon biopsy division from competitors
  • Provide a consistent platform to support the various biopsy products
  • Create a campaign to allow Argon to demonstrate the versatility of its soft tissue biopsy portfolio across multiple organs

Strategy

The agency developed a breakthrough campaign around a simple insight — interventional radiologists need to get in, out and achieve a clean sample for accurate analysis. Minimal disruption, maximum confidence is the goal.

While a feature-heavy product-selling message was table stakes in this market, no one had really
tapped into what a device really delivered — confidence that comes from a better sample.

Solution

Working closely with the soft tissue biopsy team, Schaefer developed a messaging platform that elevated the brand above product attributes, and tied into the corporate Argon tagline, “The Pursuit Of Better.” Using the theme of “Sample Better,” we developed a campaign designed to “cut through the clutter” – in this case, the endless barrage of look-alike devices that exemplified the category’s advertising.

Images drawn from the popular “Jenga” game were used to represent the delicate balance and precise execution required to obtain optimum biopsy samples. The “Sample Better” theme also carried a dual message: It implied the superior quality of the Argon products, but also spoke to the cares and concerns of radiologists, for whom better sampling meant fewer patient call-backs, as well as easier and more accurate diagnosis.

phone mock-up

Results

By developing this flexible and relevant platform, the Argon soft tissue biopsy division was able to:

  • Establish a consistent positioning that will stand the test of time
  • Strike a balance between a consistent platform and customizable messaging
  • Cut through the clutter of “product/feature” advertising
  • Provide an extendable platform that all biopsy product lines can embrace
  • Leverage all product and division communications to create greater awareness and recognition of the Argon name.

Summary

The messaging for the Argon soft tissue biopsy division is a prime example of Schaefer’s commitment to delivering solutions that work harder and provide extended value. By creating a “better” message, Schaefer was able to establish a foundation for the biopsy division could easily adapt for their own products and audiences. As a result, the various team members were free to operate somewhat autonomously, while still reinforcing the overall Argon brand. This approach also freed them from an endless cycle of product/benefit advertising and enabled them to launch and support products with a campaign that would continue to build brand awareness with each and every future execution.

How humanizing a “free screening” offer helped a client achieve 95% of their 3-year goal — in just 8 months.

Situation

Healthcare inequity is perhaps the most pressing social issue facing the medical community today. To help combat unequal access to care, and make up screening ground lost to COVID-19, Moncrief Cancer Institute partnered with Schaefer to help encourage underserved and uninsured members of the community to sign up for a free cancer screening. 

moncrief billboard

Goals

  • Craft messaging and materials that would drive cancer screenings among the target patients (3rd-grade reading level)
  • Develop tactics that would reach the audience throughout their day-to-day movements
  • Leverage the screening to build brand awareness among the underserved community

Strategy

While the offer of a free cancer screening may seem like an easy sell, the initiative faced several challenges: members of the targeted, underserved audience were often hard to reach. Many were skeptical of receiving healthcare services, for fear that they would reveal conditions that are terminal, untreatable, or expensive to treat. Many also suspected that a “free screening” might come with hidden costs or fees. And, to address health literacy, all materials needed to be flexible enough to reach our various audiences in the media channels they use every day, and in their preferred language. 

Schaefer knew we needed to develop a campaign that was driven by a straight-forward invitation for people to call in and see if they qualify for the free screening. However, knowing that many members of our demographic would be more likely to do something for their family rather than for themselves, we delivered a secondary message that leveraged this emotional connection.

Moncrief case study social spanish

Solution

The creative for the campaign tapped into a core motivation for the audience and featured screening patients who proudly showed “I Voted”-like stickers, proclaiming that they did it for their kids, their families, their spouses, or their friends. The end effect was a message that communicated that a screening isn’t just something you do for yourself; you do it for the people you love.

This solution helped accomplish two very important things: It turned a straightforward offer into an emotional appeal, which drove engagement. And it also helped the campaign speak more effectively with our key demographic – primarily patients over the age of 40, across a diverse array of tight-knit communities. 

Moncrief Cancer Institute Website Layout

Results

Ambitious goals were set for the campaign—and an avalanche of responses followed:

  • Generated 1,000+ online appointments and 4,600+ calls to schedule—or 95% of the total 3-year goal—in the first 8 months of the campaign
  • Drove more than 16,000 visits to the screening landing page
  • More than 8,800 clinical services were provided to nearly 6,000 individuals in the first year

The tremendous success led to a decision to raise Year 2 program goals and allowed the client to secure additional on-the-ground resources to reach more people in the community.

Moncrief case study social

Summary

By humanizing their appeal to an underserved audience, Moncrief Cancer Institute was able to move one step closer to alleviating healthcare inequity. In the process, they generated brand awareness and community goodwill — a very healthy outcome for both themselves and the communities they serve.

Lead Generation 101

Today, consumers want easier and more convenient access to care—including options that let them choose online scheduling and virtual visits. While 65% of the general public are interested in communicating with physicians through digital channels, this demand is even greater among younger patients: 92% of Gen Z say that care provided via telehealth is the same as—or even better than—in-office visits.

For TimelyMD, a virtual health and wellness provider focused solely on the higher education market, this creates an anticipation of increased competition from other providers seeking to capitalize on this demand. Their two most pressing challenges: proactively cement their market penetration, and to improve lead generation and response from their core audience. Schaefer Advertising was tasked with accomplishing both.

Goals

  • Increase lead generation
  • Defend TimelyMD’s niche as the leading telemedicine provider for higher education
  • Communicate key brand differentiators to campus decision-makers
  • Sustain brand equity and awareness

Textbook targeted messaging

Most telemedicine providers use a “one size fits all” approach to virtual health and wellness. TimelyMD, however, designed their service offering specifically for higher education students. Because of this, we were able to laser-focus our messaging to a select group of administrative decision makers at 5,000 colleges and universities.

An omni-channel campaign was developed that spoke to our audience on a deeper, more empathetic level by addressing the specific needs of students and universities. Using the umbrella theme of “Wellness Is Now In Session,” we delivered sub-messages that pointed out how TimelyMD had a proven track record of improving and enhancing programs at nearly 250 institutions by enabling them to:

  • Offer 24/7 access for students, on and off campus
  • Fill the gaps in their existing wellness programs by treating more than 120 conditions
  • Tap into a network of providers and mental health professionals as diverse as their student body
  • Further their initiatives to promote healthcare inequity by providing access for all

Helping universities help students

At the heart of the effort was an end-to-end campaign that used digital, video, email and social media to lead prospects to an updated, re-designed website. On the website, they were met with a variety of targeted messages, each designed to optimize lead conversion and steer them toward a product demo request.

Along the way, we humanized the brand’s message by reinforcing TimelyMD’s empathy toward the urgent, growing need for easy access to campus wellness programs: Last year, 41% of higher education students reported major or moderate depression, and 13% reported suicide ideation. 63% of students say that campus therapy helped them stay enrolled, while 64% of those who dropped out claimed that mental health issues played a role in their decision. In short, it was a case of targeted messaging, delivered through an understanding and empathetic voice. By humanizing TimelyMD’s mission to deliver the care students need, we were able to reach our audience on both a rational and emotional level.

Results

With this humanized approach, Schaefer was able to help TimelyMD generate more leads and effectively differentiate them from the other telehealth services.

Even as the telehealth market grows more competitive, decision makers at colleges and universities across the U.S. are growing more aware that TimelyMD is the leader who specializes in their world, and who has a proven understanding of the physical, psychological and emotional needs of today’s students.

Performance Snapshot

  • Surpassed campaign click and lead goals for campaign (112% and 100% respectively)
  • Over 80K new users driven to the splash page
  • Search campaigns performed 4x industry benchmarks
  • Social campaigns performed 2x industry benchmarks
  • E-mail campaign open rates were 2x industry benchmark

By taking an emotional and empathetic approach to the issues faced by students and campus care professionals, Schaefer was able to drive solid, measurable results for TimelyMD. It’s a textbook example of how humanizing healthcare isn’t just about creating good feelings; it’s also good business.

October 22, 2022

What lies beneath

An Unbranded Campaign to Educate ECPs on the Benefits of Early Surgical Intervention for Glaucoma

Surgical treatment for glaucoma has dramatically changed in recent years. For decades, eye care providers (ECPs) have known the only way to manage glaucoma is to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP). They also know that many patients struggle with compliance, adherence and the long-term side effects associated with drop therapy. Along with educating ECPs on safer, less invasive sight-preserving surgery, OMNI® needed ECPs to consider patients for surgical intervention earlier than ever before — especially as a stand-alone (outside cataract surgery) procedure. But asking them to make that leap is less effective coming from a brand than a resource. Doctors trust research and clinical studies, so the best approach is sometimes unbranded.

Omni Magazine

Goals

  • Educate ECPs on the benefits of MIGS
  • Advocate for earlier intervention for pseudophakic eyes
  • Highlight the benefit of a stand-alone procedure like the  OMNI® Surgical System

Role

  • Campaign Concept
  • Messaging
  • Illustration 
  • Event Activation

Omni Top Down Illustration
Omni Illustrations

Increasing Referrals Through Provider Education

Unbranded campaigns have many benefits. They raise awareness, provide independent education on disease states and treatment options, drive patients to providers and help providers better identify patients. 

Omni Chalk Drawing

For OMNI®, the goal was two-fold. Educate providers on the dramatic benefits of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) as a stand-alone procedure and pull demand from the optometric referral channel earlier. In lockstep with a branded campaign for the OMNI® Surgical System, the two campaigns worked together, growing market share among surgeons and shifting the point of surgical intervention to be earlier for patients with mild to moderate glaucoma patients. 

What Lurks Beneath the Surface 

Glaucoma has been dubbed the “silent thief of sight.” During the early stages of the disease, symptoms often go unnoticed. But the damage caused to eyesight as glaucoma progresses is irreversible, causing permanent vision loss and even blindness. While there is no cure, the best way to manage glaucoma is to consistently and proactively lower pressure within the eye (IOP).

To illustrate the often undetectable signs of glaucoma, we asked ECPs to consider what danger lurks beneath the ocular surface –  representing the disease with a legendary sea creature who is phantom as much as monster. The Kraken lurking beneath an unsuspecting kayaker on the surface mirrors the progression of glaucoma – just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it isn’t there. 

The introduction of MIGS to a critical optometric referral market as an alternative to first-line drops, combined with a branded approach extolling the benefits of the OMNI® Surgical System as a stand-alone intervention,  gives ECPs more impetus to treat their patients with a reliable surgical option that may lower IOP safely and sustainably with minimal recovery time. Better still, is the ability to proactively manage the disease and preserve as much of a patient’s sight as possible. 

Omni Chalk Drawing

Diving Deeper

By reinforcing the benefits of early intervention with vibrant visual language and messaging that encourages open dialogue, they were more likely to research, ask their peers and consider MIGS and products like the OMNI® Surgical System when treating a patient with mild to moderate glaucoma. 

To make a true impact in the industry, we developed and deployed a full omnichannel engagement strategy, leveraging paid, personal/non-personal promotion and earned channels. We brought the conversation where our audience was most likely to seek education – online, on social and among their peers at events such as the American Academy of Optometry. Leveraging each interaction as an opportunity to dive deeper into the research and generate leads.

Omni Chalk Drawing

Results

  • Engaged 50% of the optometric referral market, within 90 days (14,000 engaged users)
  • Generated significant word-of-mouth equity at key trade shows
  • Created demand for branded efforts to fulfill
  • Contributed to the overall brand strategy that moved OMNI from start-up to top-2 devices in 18 months

For too long, medicine has focused on the symptoms of an illness rather than the person experiencing them. Since 1970, the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth (HSC) has been hard at work, pursuing new and innovative ways to approach the full spectrum of health. And while HSC is one of the nation’s premier graduate medical schools and research centers, the community it serves was still in the dark about all the ground-breaking work they were doing to secure a healthier future for everyone in North Texas. 

HSC needed a campaign to not only strengthen its brand but promote whole health and build a relationship with the community they serve.

Goals

  • Raise awareness
  • Increase brand equity
  • Define what HSC is and does
UNTHSC Campaign Billboard

Owning whole health

As HSC expands its clinical focus to the community, Schaefer helped express its distinctive approach to medicine – shifting the conversation about health in our community from isolated and reactive to whole and inclusive. Complete with proactive ideas, treatments and solutions that have the potential to radically improve people’s lives and the future of medicine as a whole.

UNTHSC Campaign Billboards

As an institute of higher education, HSC fosters an environment that empowers innovative ideas and research, expanding the meaning of care from patient to lifestyle and community. So we reframed the brand around their commitment to improving total health – not just health care – and positioned HSC as a model and leader in the whole health initiative. 

HSC boldly and bravely pursues all paths to health.

UNTHSC Campaign Advertising

An approach to care that connects

HSC’s identity was long tied to its name rather than its impact. In rethinking the brand, we uncovered how their approach to medicine literally connects health to everyday experiences and provides new opportunities for innovation. So we introduced people to a bigger picture of health – one that considered jobs, nutrition, access to public transportation and other influences beyond symptoms that affect a community’s health.

UNTHSC Campaign Signage on Campus

Results

The initial campaign launch covered the city of Fort Worth, securing the HSC brand firmly in local conversation. Between June and August of 2021, we were able to establish HSC’s distinct position and instill a sense of pride and community around whole health.

  • 116,736,316 Impressions  for Traditional + Digital
  • 84,667 Clicks
  • 46,539 New Users to Website
December 3, 2021

Engaging Diverse Audiences

UNTHSC Covid Vaccine Website

Opportunity

Changing perceptions can be accomplished in many different ways. When it comes to public health, facts must play a key role in education, which can lead to change.  In 2021, a general lack of vaccine confidence was causing concern and hesitancy among specific communities. UNTHSC partnered with Tarrant County and Schaefer Advertising to assist with vaccine education, communication and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in North Texas. The primary objective was to reach and convince those who may not have heard, have access to, or are opposed to getting vaccinated. 

UNTSHC Tarrant COVID-19 Vaccine Social Posts

Goals

  • Education and awareness in the greater Tarrant County region
  • Increase vaccinations in historically underserved markets outlined by Tarrant County:
    • Rural communities
    • Lower HHI
    • Black, Hispanic and Vietnamese neighborhoods

Knowing that education is the first step, we saw an opportunity to engage with community-based organizations, faith leaders and other trusted members of these communities to design a campaign that drove awareness and, most importantly, access. The ultimate goal was to help the public feel informed and confident about getting vaccinated and empower people to make that decision for themselves and their families.  

We leveraged in-depth research and population data outlining key neighborhoods and zip codes for localized media placements and outreach events and behavioral trends to reach these audiences with empathetic and culturally relevant messaging backed by science. 

Additionally, we implemented proven best practices for copy and visual solutions for reaching these audiences, including simplified text, negative space, multilingual advertising and featuring key members from each target community to build trust.

UNTHSC COVID-19 Advertisements

Solution

  • Developed a new microsite that served as a resource for community partners, vaccine registration and community education
  • Launched a hyper-focused, omnichannel media campaign consisting of OOH, print, direct mail, paid search, social, display, radio, streaming radio and direct buys with local publications directing users to the new microsite
  • Partnered with influential members and popular media outlets to not only reach but resonate with each community
  • Curated content in three languages to build trust and targeted ads to Spanish and Vietnamese websites and high-traffic neighborhood establishments. 
Tarrant County Strong COVID-19 Vaccine Billboard

Results

  • 127,108,089 total impressions served in our market in just 3 months
  • 20,000+ vaccines administered to key zip codes designated as populated with  residents who were  unaware, unable and/or unwilling to get vaccinated

Let’s start by getting to know you a little better. Tell us about yourself.

Hi! I’m Siera. I graduated from Georgia Tech, but I am not an engineer. I wanted to be a biology major, but I was terrible at chemistry, despite the fact that my dad is a chemist. We had a guest speaker in one of my college courses, Lisa Galanti a leader of a local Atlanta ad agency, and her presentation convinced me that advertising was the career path for me. She helped me get my first internship, and I have been on the agency side of things ever since.

What’s something you love to do?

I love to read and travel to really scenic destinations. My husband and I went to Tuscany and it’s definitely one of the most beautiful places that we’ve visited. We stayed at a winery where I was able to sit and read overlooking a valley with a glass of wine, incredible.

What’s your favorite place?

My favorite place is the library – I really love the library – the smell, the quiet and of course the books. I love books – not audiobooks, or e-books, but physical books.

What do you love about the job?

I like solving problems for brands – I like solving people’s problems, generally speaking. I’ve been fascinated with branding since I was young and love being able to find creative solutions to brand’s biggest (or smallest) challenges.

If you could do anything besides what you are doing now, what would you do professionally?

I’d be a photographer so that I could travel and photograph. I went to a performing arts high school, and was a ballet dancer for 17 years. Creativity is a part of me. Growing up, I took photography classes and I just loved it. I find the dark room and developing film very therapeutic.

What is the last thing you binge-watched?

I am ashamed to admit I watch a lot of TV. My biggest binge watch was Law & Order: SVU – all 490 episodes. On this trip, I’ve been binge-watching “Girlboss,” and I’m re-binging “the Handmaid’s Tale” right now.

What’s your favorite book?

“Pride & Prejudice.”

If you could live in any sitcom, which would it be?

“Parks and Rec.” I see a lot of myself in Leslie Knope and I find it really funny. I’m not nearly as enthusiastic as Leslie, but I think I have as much drive as she does.

Are you a listener or a talker?

Listener. I’m very introverted. As a kid, I was really quiet in social settings and wouldn’t talk a lot, but it was because I was observing and taking everything in. Afterwards, I would tell my parents about all of the things I had heard and seen, and they would be surprised about the number of things that I saw that they didn’t notice.

If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Tacos – because you put anything in a taco.

What’s the scariest thing you’ve done for fun?

We went whale-watching in Vancouver right before the pandemic. It doesn’t sound scary, but I’m terrified of whales. We were in more of a little motorized raft than a large boat, so it was pretty scary for me.

What’s your favorite children’s story?

“Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse,”because she wears red boots, and I had red cowboy boots growing up, so I thought that we were the same.

If you had an extra hour of free time every day, what would you spend it doing?

Sitting in the sun with my Labradors, probably reading or drinking a glass of wine.

Why Schaefer?

I chose Schaefer because of the people. Everyone that I spoke with seemed like good humans, which you think would be the norm in most organizations, but it’s not. Throughout the interview process, every interaction I had was positive. The people here are fantastic.