We are thrilled to announce that our health + wellness agency, VIVA! Communications, has been named a finalist in three categories at the prestigious 2019 Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) Golden Target Awards (GTA), to be awarded next month.

Since 2002, our Australian-owned, owner-led agency has coordinated a plethora of highly successful strategic communication campaigns in partnership with organisations from the local and international medical, pharmaceutical (medicines and devices), biotech, community health + wellness and lifestyle sectors.

VIVA! Communications Managing Director Paul Jans, believes the finalist nominations are a reflection of the dedicated and talented staff, and the partnership we have with our exceptional clients.

“I am very proud of our energetic team of healthcare communications specialists, who through hard work, determination and creativity, aspire every day to make our clients shine.

“Thanks also to our great clients who trust us to execute highly creative, integrated communications campaigns within a highly regulated environment.

“The three finalist nominations across such a broad range of categories showcases VIVA!s wide-ranging healthcare experience and extensive knowledge of the complexities of this highly specialised field,” said Mr Jans.

By remaining true to our core four values – collaboration, integrity, respect and innovation –we have managed to attract, train and retain experienced health practitioners and compete with a wide range of communication agencies, to deliver effective, results-driven campaigns. 

Our communication campaigns announced as finalists for the PRIA Golden Target Awards include: 

1. Community Relations: Urging at-risk Australians to vaccinate against “Killer Lung Infection”; and
2. Health Campaign: Community Pharmacists Public Health Plea To Protect Against Devasting Flu Virus.
3. Small Consultancy of the Year: Australian consultancies with one to nine staff.

We developed our Community Relations campaign in concert with Lung Foundation Australia, to raise awareness of the seriousness of pneumococcal pneumonia, and to educate Australians about the importance for at-risk populations to vaccinate against pneumococcal pneumonia.. Our campaign generated a substantial 40,915,597 ‘opportunities to see’ across more than 445 Australian news media outlets – the largest media outreach in VIVA!s 17-year-long history – whileGPs conveyed a spike in patient bookings to discuss the vaccination. 

Our finalist Health Campaign created in partnership with the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, heightened public awareness of the seriousness of flu, and urged adult Australians to vaccinate against the virus.

Our campaign generated 38, 872, 387 ‘opportunities to see’ across 795 media outlets and served to enhance ‘community immunity’ against flu.

The PRIA 2019 Small Consultancy of the Year finalist award nomination reflects VIVA!s success in  attracting and retaining both incredible clients and staff.

According to Mr Jans, VIVA! is up against some fantastic, diverse and equally deserving competitors in the category.

“This year we are one of 10 agencies recognised nationally and we are delighted to have been nominated again as one of Australia’s Best Small Consultancies at the National PRIA GTAs.

“I genuinely believe our independence, specialisation in health + wellness, unrivalled passion and determination to make a tangible difference to the lives of Australians, is what sets us apart. We look forward to continuing to deliver best practice work for our clients for years to come,” said Mr Jans.

VIVA! adopts various tools and strategies in order to achieve its main objectives – business growth, diversification of market penetration, a solidified team, a strengthened leadership position and increased employee wellbeing workplace training and accreditation.

“Our increased focus on employee well-being and development has seen the introduction of several new and exciting initiatives, including Mental Health Movement phase one accreditation, VIVA! Vision App, office expansion and appointment of a VIVA! Culture Coordinator,” Mr Jans said.

Upon entering our 17th year, we will continue to strive to improve employee and client retention, expand and evolve our skills and service offering, enhance our industry thought leadership and elevate communications in the health + wellness sector.

VIVA! Communications for Small Consultancy of the Year!