Health Promotions and Media Liaison

Health Promotions aims to gain exposure for the vision and mission of the SSISA and the UCT/MRC Exercise Science and Sports Medicine (ESSM) Research Unit and to build the brands. This is achieved through relationship building (particularly with the media and sponsors), and also by substantial content provision and dissemination. This promotes the credibility of SSISA and also increases awareness of SSISA, ESSM, commercial partners and others. Health Promotions actively engages in project management of initiatives related to SSISA’s mission as well as for corporate associations.

Health Promotions achieves this through:

• Informative workshops on health or sport-related topics or popular sports events.
• Credible health journalism - for magazines, newspapers, radio and websites.
• Editing articles and obtaining relevant articles on ‘hot and happening’ health issues.
• Involving the media in special events, media conferences, informative workshops etc.
• Involving the media in special events, press conferences etc.
• Media liaison and social networking to remain connected with all players in the industry.
• Providing answers to health and fitness-related queries for magazines and websites.
• Being a SSISA spokesperson where applicable, for television, radio and media interviews.
• Developing and sustaining key relationships with role players including national, provincial and local government, the media, corporate and educational institutions, to mention but a few.

Workshop series

Annually Health Promotions runs many informative workshops, some of which are linked to events such as the Old Mutual Two Oceans half- and full-marathon as well as the Pick n Pay Knysna half-marathon, XTERRA, trail races, triathlons and cycle races. Other health and wellness topics covered include women’s wellness and “making your life over”. Highly topical workshops are held regularly.

Article writing

The articles that Health Promotions writes or edits include:

• Training guidelines for major sporting events (usually for websites, newspapers or for radio stations).
• Informative articles submitted to newspapers for media campaigns leading up to key events.
• Articles on health issues in magazines such as Shape, Fairlady, Cosmopolitan, Women's Health, Longevity, O Mag, Femina, Runner's World and Men's Health, Fitness, You Pulse, Huisgenoot, Modern Athlete, Drum and Discovery Magazine.
• Sports-science related topics in journals such as Modern Medicine and Modern Pharmacy.
• Media releases prior to events and the launch of new programmes at the SSISA and for research subject recruitment for ESSM research studies.
• Contributions made to numerous websites including www.health24.com, www.fairlady.com and www.discovery.co.za.
• Articles to be published by magazines to ensure they are scientifically accurate.

Other event organization and involvement

Health Promotions is always looking for opportunities to promote health via events, hence the development and implementation of various events, such as:

1. The Move for Your Health event as part of the Don Lock Memorial 8km and 5km fun run and walk
2. The Schools Mass Participation Competition as part of the Move for Your Health event
3. Our workshop programme/series
4. The SSISA/Fairlady makeover initiative (www.fairlady.com/makeover-challenge) – Health Promotions project-managed this highly successful initiative where four women transformed their lives.

Health Promotions and commercial partners

Health Promotions manages the Woolworths account, which includes developing strategies with their management as well as the implementation of projects. Current initiatives include the successful Making the Difference Project; parent talks on health issues related to children as well as the introduction of the 1km Health Track concept to educators and learners through the Making the Difference Edumodules. Other projects include the Schools Mass Participation Competition as part of the Annual Move for Your Health Don Lock 5km and 8km event. Health Promotions has also developed exercise-related material for a new parent talk. It has project-managed research for Woolworths, conducted by ESSM, to determine the efficacy of the Making the Difference programme.

Health Promotions co-manages the SSISA/New Balance apparel sponsorship, and provides New Balance with excellent marketing opportunities through several workshops held annually. These workshops specifically focus on events which New Balance sponsors e.g. the Pick n Pay Knysna half-marathon, several triathlon and trail running, as well as multi-stage trail running events.

Health Promotions and ESSM

With ESSM doing such integral work at the SSISA, Health Promotions attempts to publicise information they generate that is of public interest; for the purpose of;

1. educating the public via articles and workshops
2. promoting ESSM
3. linking them with key event organisers for research opportunities
4. strengthening the link between ESSM and SSISA

Health Promotions plays a role in the editing and dissemination of media releases to the media for ESSM research subject recruitment. Having developed an extensive media and sports contact database, Health Promotions is also able to provide ESSM with access to specific target markets and networks within the media.