Drinking has long been woven into the fabric of our lives, from corporate events to networking gatherings. Whether it’s the Friday happy hour or the celebratory toast at a company…
In recent years there’s been a fitting shift in communications towards more directly engaging communities. However, there is still a lot more work to do, particularly the vibrant and small yet mighty Black Coloradan community.
As I reflect on my journey from founding my public relations firm to joining forces with SE2, a Denver-based agency focused on creating positive change, I am struck by the…
“Recovery starts when stigma ends.” That’s the message of a new local public awareness campaign created to dispel stigma around addiction, including opioid use disorder, and to inspire the community to…
In the ever-evolving landscape of work, just one thing is guaranteed: change. With automation, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation reshaping industries, the demand for a skilled and adaptable workforce has…
She’s a Veteran Engagement Strategist, the founder of Power Maps LTD, and now, part of SE2. Meet our newest principal – Alvina.
In the mid-1990s I was adrift. A child and sibling of newspaper reporters, all I had ever wanted to do was become one too. And then, after a half…
CHALLENGE: The Colorado Department of Early Childhood engaged SE2 to develop a campaign to increase understanding of the safest way for infants under one year to sleep, and encourage families…
DENVER — Alvina Vasquez and her company PowerMap Ltd. have become part of SE2, combining expertise and experience as the Denver-based agency looks forward to its next 25 years of…
In the ongoing effort to address the epidemic of youth vaping, the recent settlement six states plus the District of Columbia secured against Juul presents a groundbreaking opportunity to secure…
1) What’s an issue you’re passionate about outside of work? Mental health advocacy is deeply personal to me. One topic that’s especially important to talk about is the well-being of…
Empathy and understanding are two of the most important qualities we can bring to marketing and life. When we take the time to connect with others on a deeper level,…
Colorado’s new youth fentanyl prevention campaign uses positive social norms to educate youth about the dangers of pill misuse. In October, the effort was highlighted at a national youth prevention summit.
In the ongoing efforts against opioid misuse, one event supports a comprehensive opioid prevention strategy: the Annual Medication Takeback Day on Oct. 28. This initiative, which is supported locally through…
Using Social Media to Support Mental Health: How Users Marshal Engagement on the R/Anxiety Subreddit
It’s no secret that social media can be toxic and exacerbate mental health issues. But can it also offer support? Guest author Isabel Andersons shares her findings on where supportive communities exist on Reddit
Think for a moment about tobacco. For the companies that profit from it, it’s quite possibly the perfect product. Tobacco quickly makes its customers physically dependent – literally addicted…
Rising vaping, alcohol abuse, food insecurity, gun violence, mental health disparities, and social isolation. Public health officials are working hard to find and communicate solutions for these pressing topics. Because…
Climate activists argue that our generations will be the last with a chance to slow climate change before it transforms into a climate disaster. That’s a lot of pressure. This…
Our work for CDPHE’s Forward Together campaign wins a 2023 Heartland Emmy®. See the winning ad!
“I believe that creating and fostering community and connection is essential to the human experience, and I do my best to help others when I can.”
Some say that AI will make more of us obsolete. For most of us, it will free us from tasks that aren’t the best use of our talents.
When former Congresswoman Pat Schroeder passed away last month, Colorado and the nation lost one of our most influential champions of women’s rights.
SE2’s Brandon Zelasko attended South By Southwest this year and brought back several lessons for marketers.
Imagine if an airliner dropped from the sky. It would dominate the news. Yet far more people died from fentanyl in Denver just last year than would fit in a…
The definition of “healthy” is changing. Resources are more readily available for mental health. What about sexual health?
We believe that young people have an important outlook on the world and that they experience unique issues. As we target young folks in our messaging campaigns, it’s important that…
As SE2’s new creative director, he’ll trade pitching products for promoting a broader purpose. We’re grateful he’s chosen to bring his talents to our growing team.
I was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, where I lived most of my life in a colorful, people-powered neighborhood. Our neighborhood was built on immigrant energy, which flowed in my…
Imagine setting up your office in the lobby at Twitter, Meta or TikTok headquarters. Even if they didn’t kick you out initially, they could at any moment. And you’d have…
Forward Together seeks to help Colorado teens feel more connected to their peers, parents and other trusted adults.
I really, really liked Twitter. Want to know how much? Since signing up in 2008, I have tweeted 14,000 times…
Colorado parents have been overwhelmed with things to worry about when it comes to their child’s health over the past few years. New threats and unknowns have raised the stakes…
People who quit tobacco know it can be a difficult process. Often, it takes multiple attempts before someone can quit for good. I have been exposed to secondhand smoke…
SE2 client One Chance to Grow Up sponsored Corey Hutchins’ influential newsletter to reach an informed audience
Recently I had the opportunity to talk with Brooke Istook, vice president/youth and communities at Thorn, a nonprofit and recent SE2 client. Thorn works to protect youth from online exploitation…
Who do you listen to for information about social issues? Your doctor? Your favorite celebrities? Your pastor? Your mom? According to a recent Ad Council study, most people trust close…
Here’s a sobering fact: In Denver, only around 1.4% of businesses are Black-owned. That lands our city at the #6 position for U.S. metropolitan areas with the lowest percentage of…
What started as a ladies group chat to find a solution to hiding tampons in the office bathrooms turned into a Pinterest-fueled endeavor to cater to any bathroom emergencies that…
Recently I sat down with graphic designer Diana Garcia, SE2’s newest team member, during her first days on the job. We talked about her passion for graphic design, designing for…
By Evyn Batie A girl stands on a platform with two boys on her sides. She faces a group of peers who stand in a straight line facing her and…
Lawyers act as zealous advocates for their clients. For some, ensuring everyone has representation means checking their values and opinions at the office door. But embracing personal and firm values…
I couldn’t take my eyes off the refrigerator on the roof. I was standing in front of a storm-battered home in the Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans just seven…
SE2 is proud to have collaborated with the US Center for SafeSport to develop a new campaign that highlights the important role parents and coaches play in helping to ensure young athletes are safe.
Denver-based nonprofit bike shop Bikes Together gets more people on two wheels through its low-cost bike shop and bike maintenance classes. We recently announced that we would match up to…
Can you remember when you got your first bike? Mine had high handlebars and a banana seat. I thought it was the coolest thing ever. What would you do if…
As the climate change conversation heats up, federal and state policymakers will increasingly incentivize consumers to switch to electric vehicles. President Joe Biden’s infrastructure bill, which passed the U.S. House in November with…
In early September, the Food and Drug Administration faced a deadline. It was due to respond to applications from e-cigarette brands on whether they could remain in the U.S. market. Though the FDA had…
Change is hard. It’s even more challenging to sustain and build on positive change over time. These 10 steps offer a roadmap for creating and maintaining Perpetual Movements that drive change for good.
In 2020, as concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic rippled worldwide, youth audiences turned to digital campfire platforms.
Across the country, state-run agencies create programs and resources to advance their missions. Their goals typically center on supporting the health, happiness, prosperity and well-being of their states and residents.
The sea change on smoking shows how combining policy reform, behavior change and evolving social norms can start a virtuous cycle of profound and lasting improvements.
Across the country, state-run agencies create programs and resources to advance their missions. Their goals typically center on supporting the health, happiness, prosperity and well-being of their states and residents.
Instead of recklessly cutting costs while alienating readers, creating a death spiral, the new mission-driven Colorado News Conservancy will embrace a long-term, sustainable model to grow a loyal audience and keep local journalism in local hands.
Government and health care organizations must overcome understandable skepticism toward the vaccine among some minority groups. Following three basic communications practices can help.
As we think about life post-pandemic, organizations and government entities can turn to the Colorado Resiliency Framework for guidance. Explore the framework and see how it can put Colorado back on the path to recovery.
As we think about life post-pandemic, organizations and government entities can turn to the Colorado Resiliency Framework for guidance. Explore the framework and see how it can put Colorado back on the path to recovery.
An SE2 leader raises provocative questions about media in museum exhibition.
A new statewide campaign is empowering Coloradans with the facts so that they can make an informed choice when it’s their turn to get vaccinated.
Audience-targeted key messages helped Denver’s BIPOC LGBTQ+ community overcome stigma and get tested for STIs
A powerful, but little known, model for youth engagement came to life through a new brand and creative storytelling
Eric Anderson, our co-founder and senior strategist, interviewed SE2 Director of Content and Creative Juan Cabrera about how effective Spanish language communications can help address the pandemic.
During my time at SE2, I’ve been blessed to work on important issues such as preventing kids from smoking and vaping, strengthening community hospitals, providing quality preschool for more young…
Think back about nearly every drug prevention campaign you’ve seen and you’ll notice a common strategy. Most utilize scare tactic…
Reddit, the social media platform that has coined itself “the front page of the internet” and is home to endless social forums, isn’t as dark and disturbing as some might…
Membership and trade association professionals are struggling to manage escalating member expectations. One organization used influencers to raise its profile and delight members.
Integration of bots, artificial intelligence and rich communication services may signal the end of the website and app era…
While only 7 percent of high school students currently smoke cigarettes, one in four Colorado adolescents vapes nicotine. See how we kicked off a youth movement to end youth vape use.
If you’re putting all your eggs in the social media basket, you may to think again. The rise of the social media sabbatical is here. It’s time to diversify your communications tactics.
Americans – particularly Millennials and Gen-Z – increasingly don’t identify as a specific gender. What does that mean for how we try to reach and engage people on issues?
LiveWell Colorado hired SE2 to develop a mass media campaign that drove advocates in communities across Colorado to advocate for change and improve the health of kids.
In Colorado, youth tobacco usage rates continue to decline, yet a shocking one-in-four high school students in the state vaped within the last 30 days.
There is one place where we’re “winning”: It’s our use and addiction to tobacco products. In fact, we’re killing it.
Colorado Shines is the state’s quality rating and improvement system used to assess, improve and communicate the level of quality in early childhood care and education programs.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment engaged SE2 to develop a mass media campaign to reach kids who feel like they have heard the same messages about not using tobacco before (yet many use tobacco anyway).
SE2 took the tobacco industry’s own research on how to market to young adults and used it against Big Tobacco.
With a membership of 15,000 in more than 100 countries worldwide, this international professional society faced challenges similar to other large associations in a shifting social, technological and political landscape.
Working closely with the State Tobacco Education and Prevention Alliance and its partners, SE2 developed an extensive toolkit of materials for communities around the state to use in their local policy efforts to strengthen clean indoor air laws and reduce youth access to tobacco products.
Instead of trying to convince young adults to listen to what the state health department has to say about tobacco, we engaged the people young adults trust to carry the message.