Idea!s, Philippines
As a non-profit consultancy, Idea!s empowers non-profit organizations by using ICT as the most effective communication tool to create a positive change where the society is aware of the different social issues and causes.
1. The new idea
Marielle sees a great need to introduce professional communication tools within the non-profit sector. Idea!s focuses on what non-profit organizations (NPO) can do to receive further attention. The originality of Idea?s activities resides in communication strategies adapted to the non-profit sector with a holistic approach. By providing NPO with communication consultancy, needs assessments, communication plans and creative media solutions, Idea!s is changing the way non-profit organizations communicate. With a professional message connected to their mission, organizations will be able to collect funds, produce a measurable impact from their awareness raising campaign and accelerate expected social changes.
2. The problem
Countless advocacies need to be addressed worldwide and in the Philippines. The sudden awareness of non-profits? role took place with the help of successful former actions that organizations have led. Unfortunately, most of them have struggled to efficiently spread their visions. The need to invest in strategic communication is barely recognised by organizations which, logically so, focus their energy and expenses on their programmes. Currently, most NPO rely on their in-house communication teams that lack creative communication tools to raise public awareness. Short term materials and designs which they usually acquire free of charge do not succeed in spreading a proper identity. Without visibility, none of them can hope to successfully serve their mission and they fail to defend the problem they address. The major risk is inaction in various public needs.
There is a strong need to go beyond the idea that effective communication plans are the privilege of business enterprises. Few consultancy businesses are currently working with non-profits. NPO need people capable of understanding their unique needs. Idea!s provides this holistic approach when servicing its clients.
3. The strategy
To prime communications as the most potent advocacy and fundraising tool among non-profit organizations, Idea!?s offers technical services and training modules. Idea!s? primary targets are the non-profit organizations and their in-house communications teams. Paying clients are helping Ideals to support smaller organizations. The secondary targets are the respective audiences of these non-profits.
Client servicing aims to strengthen internal as well as external communication by drafting strategic communication plan implemented with creative media services. Idea!s also proposes workshops to communicators to cultivate their media skills. They are getting familiar and trained with new, cost effective and efficient communication tools and methods.
The project started in mid-2006. Previous contact that the team has developed in their former activities successfully enabled them to get their first clients. So far, Idea!s has helped organizations such as Consuelo Foundation, the Asian Development Bank, the Child and Family Service Philippines, the First Philippines Conservation Inc., My Shelter Foundation, Human Development Network, Caritas Manila, etc. The activities included web design, organizational materials, handbook, audio visual presentations, etc.
Idea!s is currently putting systems in place and revamping the marketing strategy. Idea!s is also actively engaged in the field of volunteer youth efforts by providing them insight through different tasks such as website or newsletter related activities.
4. The person
Marielle is currently attending a Masters Degree Program in Arts History at the University of the Philippines, Diliman. She graduated with honors from the Visual Communication program of the College of Fine Arts at the same university in 2003. Most of Idea!s? team members have graduated from the same college. Marielle has served as in-house communications and marketing program for Children?s Hour Philippines and Consuelo Foundation. Besides she is a free lance writer and a teacher.
Click here to download Ideals feature article in the newspaper
