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Have you ever had to...

spark a statewide movement around one of the biggest social issues facing us today? change a cultural norm that could literally save lives?
harness the voices and energy of 30,000 professionals into a coherent whole? conduct five simultaneous campaigns with one of the most controversial issues in recent memory – all in 14 weeks?

Have you ever had to spark a statewide movement around one of the biggest social issues facing us today?

We have, and we're poised to help you.

Despite being ranked as the leanest state in the country, obesity rates in Colorado continued to climb. In fact, Colorado’s current obesity rates would have made it the fattest state in the nation just fifteen years ago.

READ MORE.
LiveWell Colorado Case Study
 
  • “Maren's ability to build a coalition of diverse stakeholders and create a unified voice around obesity was paramount to LiveWell Colorado's rapid success.”
    Ned CalongePresident & CEO of The Colorado Trust and founding board chair of LiveWell Colorado

Effecting comprehensive policy and culture change around an issue like obesity is a big challenge, but that is precisely what Maren accomplished in her former role as President & CEO at LiveWell Colorado (LWC). Charged with building an organization that would set and align strategies, develop and promote key messages and serve as the unifying force among various constituencies, Maren turned a public health problem into a public advocacy campaign that quickly gained momentum.

LWC became known as an innovative model and credible thought leader both in Colorado and nationally. The first step was to develop a compelling and approachable brand for the issue that would engage people in a statewide movement to drive sustainable change. Utilizing earned, paid and social media, in conjunction with a robust website, strategic partnerships and community outreach efforts, LWC developed a successful culture change campaign that resonated with a wide spectrum of individuals as well as the community-at-large. In addition, LWC created and cultivated a multi-sector, statewide coalition which engaged diverse stakeholders – many from unexpected industries – to advance its mission with a collective voice.

Finally, coordinated grassroots and media advocacy supported public policy efforts at the local, state and federal levels, as well as organizational policies in schools and companies throughout the state. Under Maren’s visionary leadership, public awareness and will-building strategies were leveraged and maximized, resulting in the only statewide obesity prevention movement in the nation.

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campaign management | coalition building | message development | public will building | stakeholder + public engagement

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    Have you ever had to change a cultural norm that could literally save lives?

    We have, and we're poised to help you.

    Not that long ago it was common for small children to ride in cars without booster seats. Parents thought simply using a seat belt was safe and unfortunately, many children suffered serious injuries and often died as a result.

    READ MORE.
    The Children’s Hospital Case Study
     
    • “Maren's strategic ability to develop and execute successful, multi-faceted advocacy campaigns is outstanding.”
      Dori Biesterformer President and CEO, The Children's Hospital

    As the VP of External Affairs at The Children’s Hospital (TCH), Maren developed and executed a statewide campaign to change behavior and make kids safer. This required educating parents, as well as the broader community, mobilizing constituencies, identifying key partners and advocating for public policy change.

    Employing traditional earned and paid media methods, including securing editorial news coverage, placing print ads and pitching stories featuring families impacted by the use and nonuse of booster seats, the media advocacy effort amplified the public awareness and education campaign and supported the legislative advocacy effort. At the same time, various internal communication channels – newsletters, magazines, emails and forums – were utilized to engage stakeholders such as employees, board members and donors. And, more than 2,000 grassroots advocates throughout the state were armed with facts and key messages to extend influence and reach.

    Finally, capitalizing on the power of community outreach, coordinated strategic partners hosted educational events, trainings and opportunities to distribute booster seats in communities where access was an issue. Kids in Colorado are much safer thanks to this successful integrated advocacy campaign.

    community outreach | issue advocacy | media relations | partnership cultivation | strategy development + execution

    Have you ever had to harness the voices and energy of 30,000 professionals into a coherent whole?

    We have, and we're poised to help you.

    Public education in Colorado faces many challenges; huge funding gaps, policy turmoil, classroom disruptions. At the center of our public education system, as it has been for over 100 years, is the Colorado Education Association (CEA).

    READ MORE.
    Colorado Education Association Case Study
     
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    Confronting and shaping the new world of public education, while honoring its past, has been among the main challenges facing CEA’s 30,000 members.  And while members share a common love of education and our children, they experience the responsibilities of education in many different ways.

    iQu serves as the agency of record for CEA, providing an extended range of strategic and communications services.  But at the outset of 2014, with the implementation of statewide evaluations systems about to begin and the onset of more and more standardized testing, CEA leadership challenged iQu to respond with a new kind of campaign that would unite the concerns of CEA members with the priorities of parents and students.

    The Free Our Teachers-Value Our Students campaign has received statewide recognition for its ‘cut-through-the-clutter’ messaging and visual impact.  The campaign presents the frustrations many have with too much standardized testing and too little emphasis on letting teachers teach, using a humorous touch to drive home the message. The integrated campaign included a statewide media relations push, social media yielding nearly 10,000 active followers, outdoor billboards, two video spots, and engagement among a cohesive statewide network of members and educators. Additionally, the reach of this work has been extended through a partnership with Rocky Mountain PBS’ Super School News. The next phase of this campaign will focus on engaging parents and voters. Stay tuned.

    “Simply put, the iQu team makes us better.  They’re great partners – not only willing to serve, but also to challenge and help guide us.”   Amy Baca-Oehlert, Vice President at CEA.

    communications planning | creative content + production | media relations | message development | social + digital media

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    Have you ever had to conduct five simultaneous campaigns with one of the most controversial issues in recent memory – all in 14 weeks?

    We have, and we're poised to help you.

    In 2013, five Colorado municipalities faced proposed ballot measure bans on hydraulic fracturing. The bans posed an imminent economic threat to the targeted communities and an even greater challenge to the state’s energy industry.

    READ MORE.
    Energy Interests Case Study
     
    • “The iQu team approached the difficult issue of hydraulic fracturing as if they were part of our community. By listening closely, they differentiated themselves from the typical consultant. The result was reflected both in the quality of their work and the success of our campaign.”
      Jay HardyVice President of Governmental Relations & Corporate Communications at McWhinney and Steering Committee Member of the Loveland Energy Action Project

    This had never happened before in Colorado – or anywhere else that we’re aware of. Five local ballot measures, dropped like an avalanche at virtually the same time, all aimed at making illegal the safe and proven practice of hydraulic fracturing. And in 2013, the frenzy of negative (and distorted) information around hydraulic fracturing was peaking.

    Leading energy interests in Colorado selected iQu and several key Team+ members to implement campaigns opposing the bans. We endeavored to mount fiercely intense and honest campaigns that took the industry in a wholly different direction – acknowledge community concerns, present objective information and challenge every voter to understand the implications of the illegal bans.

    Working at a massive level with iQu Team+ partners and connecting the varied assets of the state’s energy companies, we outperformed expectations in all our campaigns. Dozens of direct mail pieces, multiple video and radio ads, door-to-door canvassing operations and full-scale campaigns in four municipalities were just part of the effort iQu mustered.

    Four of the measures went to the ballot, and all four passed. One, in Broomfield, has gained a small measure of mythical status based on being decided by 13 votes after a months-long recount battle managed by iQu. Through concerted effort the proposed Loveland 2013 measure was pushed to June 2014.  With extra time and lessons learned, we prevailed in Loveland and the ban was defeated. Justice triumphed in three of the other communities as well, where the fracking bans were overturned by the courts this year. The battle, however, rages on and iQu is involved extensively in supporting responsible energy development in Colorado.

    campaign management | creative content + production | media relations | message development | public opinion research

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      Portfolio


      • Colorado Education Association Digital Banners
      • Colorado Education Association Digital Banners (#2)
      • Colorado Education Association Print Samples
      • Colorado Education Association Print Samples (#2)
      • Colorado Education Association Print Samples (#3)
      No Ban TV - October 2013
      Colorado Education Association 'Wende Curtis' TV Spot
      Colorado Education Association 'David Oliver' TV Spot
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      Our Team

      Connect With Us.


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      Dominic DelPapa
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      ddp@iqustrategies.com303 888 8556READ BIO »
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      Kim Kasulke
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      kim@iqustrategies.com213 925 5746READ BIO »
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      Dominic DelPapa

      President

      • Coffee or Tea?

        Coffee

      • Fiction or Nonfiction?

        Nonfiction

      • Alpine or Nordic Skiing?

        Snowshoeing

      • Tacos or Sushi?

        Sushi

      Nothing frustrates Dominic more than a tired, old and un-imaginative campaign. Well, maybe a cookie-cutter formula that doesn’t address unique aspects and needs. He knows that a little unconventional thinking can go a long way. And he knows that blending tried-and-true strategies with innovative and creative strategies is the key to success. With experience in the private and public sectors, on campaigns of local, state and national scope, and with varying budgets up to multi-million dollars, Dominic has done it all. Campaign and project management? Check. Stakeholder and public engagement?  Check. Creative content and production? Check. Message Development? Social and digital media? Public opinion research? Check. Check. Check.

      After more than 30 years of leading public affairs and communications initiatives, Dominic never approaches a project the same way twice.  For him, it’s all about listening first and then thinking through a comprehensive approach tailored to each client. From communications planning to strategy development and execution, Dominic’s approach is thoughtful and collaborative.  With more than 200 political and communications campaigns under his belt, Dominic has experience working in a wide variety of industries including energy, education and consumer goods. Early in his career, Dominic had stints with a technology communications firm and a specialty media research firm. As a partner with a Washington-D.C. based public affairs firm, Dominic was tapped to open the western regional office in Colorado and then went on to start his own firm in 2012.

      Aside from helping clients advance their organizations and achieve their business objectives, Dominic is busy cooking Italian feasts and hosting friends in his backyard. He also keeps busy cheering on his son’s college lacrosse team (go Brown!).

      Dominic holds a B.A. in Political Science and Economics from Allegheny College.

      CONNECT
      ddp@iqustrategies.com303 888 8556
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      121
      Kim Kasulke

      Manager of Operations + Logiistics

      • Coffee or Tea?

        Coffee

      • Fiction or Nonfiction?

        Fiction

      • Alpine or Nordic Skiing?

        Downhill

      • Tacos or Sushi?

        Tacos

      Glue: a strong adhesive substance. That’s what she’s been called. Not only does Kim take this as a compliment, but she also takes it as a professional challenge. Holding things together is what Kim does, and she couldn’t be happier with the reference.

      For 20 years, Kim has been helping to keep projects – and people – on track. Throughout her career, Kim has worked with numerous companies in a variety of different industries including real estate investment, premium apparel and financial services, as well as in the nonprofit sector. Each opportunity provided Kim with additional skills and broadened her knowledge of the business environment. From preparing client invoices to preparing financial reports and from coordinating calendars to coordinating production of marketing materials, her experience and skill set is critically important in keeping things running – and running smoothly. Kim brings a unique ability to take care of myriad things in fast-paced campaign environments – from the smallest detail to a large event. In fact, in addition to working as an executive assistant and office manager Kim has managed her own event planning business, staging weddings, bar mitzvahs and charity events for several high-profile clients.

      Given the fact that she takes care of everything and everyone around her, it’s probably not surprising that Kim holds an associate degree in nursing. She enjoys cooking and reading, and loves hiking in the mountains near her home.

      Kim has an Associates Degree in Nursing Practice from Santa Ana College.

      CONNECT
      kim@iqustrategies.com213 925 5746
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      Our Team +

      Expanding the Depth and Breadth of our Services.


      JDS Professional Group

      Supporting projects and campaigns by working closely with staff on preparing budgets, tracking income and expenses, and preparing and filing required issue committee reports for city, county or state agencies.

      Can of Creative

      Produces insight-based conceptual design that visualizes a client's brand story in a language spoken by their audience, from logo designs and complex data visualizations to advertisements, trade show booths and marketing materials.

      Peak Creative

      SMALL SHOP < HUGE CREATIVE A collection of artists, planners and builders dedicated to design with purpose—informing, increasing awareness and building relevance.We listen. We collaborate. We strategize. We design. We code. We deliver.

      Vertical Strategies

      A holistic digital communications firm combining psychology, technology, and data analysis. We want to spread your message, engage your supporters, and turn their energy into action and their actions into results.

      Skew Media

      A full service media production company serving a variety of clients across platforms. Our focus is on impactful storytelling and strategies that illuminate the message you need the world to hear

      Laurus Media

      An agency that provides strategic planning and buying services across all mediums. We have a proven track record for driving results for our partners through innovative media solutions.

      WizBang Solutions, Inc.

      Providing print and direct mail services. Wizbang: One that is conspicuously effective, successful or skillful / Solutions: An answer to a problem. When timing matters, WizBang delivers.

      EIS Solutions

      Proven success in delivering solid grassroots and coalition building support to ensure that legislation, regulatory reforms, permitting processes and projects come to fruition.

      4 Degrees

      4 Degrees is a full service online marketing & communications firm, delivering results with precision messaging. We’re motivated to provide the best and most innovative services. We take pride in our work, and together with the experience and talent we’ve gained in the field we can help deliver victory for you or your organization.

      meme, inc

      Offering extensive advertising agency experience, we specialize in creating video content that's strategically guided and always on brand. Whether it's for television or online, we work with clients every step of the way to develop scripts then to creatively bring those scripts to life emphasizing maximum production value.

      Bryan Blakely, Turn Corps

      Leading strategic partnerships and building impactful coalitions across Colorado, Bryan has more than 15 years experience in government and business relations, nonpartisan policy and economic development.

      Sara O’Keefe

      Designing and executing strategic communications, community relations and marketing efforts created to engage consumers in complex topics and issues, Sara has more than 15 years experience with marketers, nonprofits and government agencies leading campaigns and programs that educate, inspire and incite action on some of the most critical issues facing our state.

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