2008 Press Releases
Independence Blue Cross to Host Annual Direct Marketing Conference for Independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans
Conference devoted to Blue Cross Blue Shield plans and direct marketing is in its 17th year.
WAYNE, Pa. - March 17, 2008 - Independence Blue Cross will serve as the host plan for the 2008 Annual Direct Marketing Conference for Independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans. The conference series, to be held April 16-18, 2008, at Charleston Place in Charleston, South Carolina, is now in its 17th year.
The first direct marketing conference in 1992 was organized by Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans eager for continuing education in the direct response marketing specialty and for help in developing strategies and tactics for meeting industry challenges.
This year's conference will open with a welcome and remarks by John Butts, Director, Medicare Sales and Retention at Independence Blue Cross. Mark Olsen, Managing Partner of ChapterHouse, LLC, Strategic Health Care Consultants, is slated to present the opening keynote, "The Health Care Market Outlook."
Two days of roundtable discussions will delve into such relevant topics as community outreach to the ethnic markets; marketing to SNPs; techniques to close the sale; marketing to the young and healthy; how to use internal sales staff to full advantage; what's working in MA Open Enrollment; partnering with pharmacies and grocery stores; and marketing to Boomers.
Other conference topics include:
- The Web - How to untangle its mysteries and use it to snare both Under- and Over-65 prospects
- Marketing to Generation Next, Gen X, Gen Y, Trailing Boomers, and Leading Boomers
- An update on limited benefit plans, mini-meds, and new Under-65 products
- Marketing Multiple Over-65 Products: How to limit the confusion
- Retention Strategies: How are you keeping what you have in both Under- and Over-65 markets?
- Direct Mail, TV, Newspaper, Interactive: the right mix for each market
- Pass It On! (audience participation session)
Preceding the conference will be a bonus workshop with a theme in keeping with the fact that Charleston was the site of America's first golf course in 1786. "How to Ace Your Direct Marketing Campaigns (and Avoid the Rough)" will be conducted by conference organizer DMW Worldwide LLC. DMW is a full-service direct response advertising agency with a specialty practice devoted to assisting Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans using direct-to-market products to individual consumers, Medicare beneficiaries, and small groups.
Topics for the bonus workshop include:
- The Front Nine - Addressing the ball properly and using a set of clubs that doesn't cost a fortune: How to produce cost-efficient leads
- The Back Nine - How do you wrap up the game using the best back-end strategies?
- How to Keep Your Trophies: Retention strategies
DMW has worked with Blue plans in nearly 40 states and has handled event planning for this annual direct marketing event since its inception in 1992. Prior to joining DMW, the agency's Chairman and CEO, Warren Hunter, had been Vice President of Direct Marketing for BlueCross and BlueShield of Florida. Previous conference hosts have included Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans from Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Maine, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia.
For more information or to register for the conference, contact event organizer Allegra Craig at 843-379-9191 or via e-mail at conference@dmwdirect.com.
About Independence Blue Cross
Nationwide, Independence Blue Cross and its affiliates provide coverage to nearly 3.4 million people. For 70 years, Independence Blue Cross has offered high-quality health care coverage tailored to meet the changing needs of members, employers, and health care professionals. Independence Blue Cross's HMO and PPO health care plans have consistently received the highest ratings from the National Committee for Quality Assurance. Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Visit Independence Blue Cross' Website at www.ibx.com.
About DMW Worldwide LLC
DMW Worldwide is a full-service direct response advertising agency with offices in Wayne, Pa., and Plymouth, Mass. The ECHO Award-winning agency - which ranks 37th in the prestigious Advertising Age "Top 50 Direct Marketing Agencies" list - provides strategic planning, creative, database management, broadcast, media, production, fulfillment, and Internet marketing. Industries served include insurance, financial services, consumer products, B2B, and non-profit. DMW's Chairman and CEO, Warren Hunter, can be reached at 610-407-0407 or via e-mail at whunter@dmwdirect.com. Visit DMW's Website at www.dmwdirect.com.