Couldn’t make it to San Francisco for the 2008 Society for Healthcare Strategy and Market Development’s Annual Conference and Exhibits? Let us bring you up to speed.

Here are just a few of the intriguing insights, ideas, and commentary shared by speakers during the 2008 Society for Healthcare Strategy and Market Development Annual Conference.

“To be successful, healthcare marketers must start getting inside the skins of those people who will actually be reading our messages. We’re in the midst of a healthcare revolution. It’s no longer good enough to simply throw out a few ads and hope women respond. They want to have an ongoing conversation with your hospital—and it’s up to us as marketers to create and continue that conversation.”
Lisa McCluskey, MBA
Vice President, Marketing Communications
Memorial Health Care System, Chattanooga, TN

“When you select an ad agency or any other marketing partner, you’re putting your career in their hands. If you can’t trust your partner, you’re never going to have a win-win situation. On the other hand, when you have the right partner and find the right mix between them and your hospital administration, you’re going to get great results.”
Nicole Baxter, Director of Marketing
JFK Medical Center, Atlantis, FL

“You always know about two years before the Republication primary who will be the party’s nominee. It’s always the oldest white guy in line.”
Paul Begala, political consultant, CNN commentator, and former advisor to President Clinton

“No matter how busy you are, always give yourself and others the gift of your presence. In other words, be in the present. Also, when attending a business meeting keep in mind that the positions of least influence at a table are the four corners; by sitting there, you in essence putting yourself out of sight and out of mind. All of these nuances have a composite affect on positioning ourselves for success.”
Geri Evans, President
Evans PR Group

“When it comes to the Gen Ys, it’s basically the have and have-nots. Some are barely eeking out a living; some are experiencing a transference of wealth. You have to learn how to market to both by communicating with them in ways that are completely different—including the use of Web tools like Facebook, Twitter, and others. If you’re not on Facebook, then you’re not marketing to Gen Ys—or even to Generation X.”
Greta Sherman, Senior VP, Healthcare Strategy
TMP Worldwide Advertising & Communications, LLC

“Technological advancements haven’t just impacted the way we treat and heal patients, they have radically changed how we must market to them. Customers are shopping and engaging companies via multiple channels and developing more control over receiving messages. A single touch point no longer motivates them. Digital media is mainstream. Effective marketing strategies today mandate an integrated approach that addresses the ever-increasing importance of the digital world and the power of the new consumer at all points of brand contact.”
Pamela Henderson, Chief Marketing Officer
St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital, Pontiac, MI