THE CHALLENGE

While Habitat for Humanity International has long been a household name, many influential housing, social justice and climate-focused reporters were not familiar with the organization’s CEO Jonathan Reckford. Simultaneously, the organization’s extensive work in helping global communities access safe shelter was too often under the radar for many reporters covering global housing issues.

OUR APPROACH

Working closely with Habitat for Humanity’s communications team, Burness developed and implemented a comprehensive, strategic media outreach and thought leadership campaign designed to familiarize media and housing thought leaders with Jonathan Reckford and Habitat’s impressive work in the affordable housing sector, both in the U.S. and around the globe.

RESULTS AND IMPACT

Burness developed a high-level messaging platform, organized one-on-one media backgrounders, conducted pro-active pitching surrounding Habitat’s Advancing Black Homeownership Initiative and other major Habitat announcements, landed podcast interviews, and garnered speaking opportunities at influential global conferences. We also drafted and placed opinion pieces for Jonathan Reckford in influential news outlets such as CNN.com, Politico, and World Economic Forum, and helped facilitate relationships with organizations such as the Aspen Institute, The Council on Foreign Relations, and the Clinton Global Initiative. Leading journalists at the WSJ, Associated Press, and New York Times, now regularly turn to Reckford for background and commentary on breaking housing stories and other relevant affordable housing developments.