> About us > Annual Report 2006 > Marketing and promotion

Marketing and promotion are vital to PHC RIS as our resources and services are not useful unless our stakeholders are aware of them. The marketing and promotions group within PHC RIS is responsible for maintaining consistent 'badging' of all services and products, and developing and maintaining multiple strategies to ensure the successful promotion of all PHC RIS products, services and events.

Strategies new in 2006 designed to market the value of specific products and services include:

• PHC RIS announcements: These are promotional emails sent to stakeholders to encourage awareness of a specific product or service. Email topics in 2006, include the Divisions Mapping Tool and the Divisions Benchmarking Tool.
• Journal articles: In 2006 we began writing regular articles for the Australian Journal of Rural Health, designed to inform the readers of our products and services. Topics covered thus far include, PHC RIS website, PHCRED, GP & PHC Research Conference, and Orientation Packs.
• Greater media presence: In 2006 PHC RIS experienced a greater media presence and had articles published regarding Annual Survey of Divisions data and the GP & PHC Research Conference.
• Logos and icons: Use of coloured logos or icons on the PHC RIS website increased during 2006, making pages visually more attractive and enabling quick identification of relevant sections.

Marketing strategies that were continued in 2006 and have worked well in the past include:

• PHC RIS brochure: The PHC RIS brochure, updated in 2005, is frequently used as a promotional tool at conferences and as part of the PHC RIS orientation packages.
• Conference fliers and calendar: While these promotional items primarily promoted the GP & PHC Research Conference, they also included the PHC RIS website and logo.
• Promotional items: This year PHC RIS promotional items included pencil cases, business card cases, paper clip holders, PHC RIS mugs, laser pointers and pens. These products were designed to be functional while providing vital information to our stakeholders such as our web address and the PHC RIS Assist number.
• Orientation packs (further refined and promoted): In 2006 orientation packs became the cornerstone of our communication with new stakeholders. The packages were designed to introduce new staff members in our stakeholder groups to PHC RIS products, services and staff. In 2006 the packs became very popular due to promotion in PHC RIS infonet and the Australian Journal of Rural Health (AJRH). Over 30 packs were sent out to stakeholders throughout the year. In addition packs were also sent to new PHC RIS staff, and handed out at workshops.