From the monthly archives:

December 2009

Will Adults Connect with JDRF?

by Greg Martin on December 23, 2009

If you have ever driven up or down Highway 101 through San Mateo you have likely noticed a huge electronic outdoor display that looks like a giant HDTV suspended to the west side of the highway. It is called SiliconView and it flashes alternating advertisement electronically.  Messaging changes up to 10 times per minutes.  Studies indicate that 91% of motorists notice the billboard most of the time and 62% notice it every time.

Occasionally SiliconView has an opening, as it did in early December, and JDRF is offered the space pro bono until a new paid advertiser signs on.  First we thank John Mozart and Mozart Development Co for providing this great opportunity to JDRF.  Then the immediate question we ask ourselves is what message do we want to convey?   And how do we represent the message graphically allowing the driver to recall it later?

In the past, we have had Walk to Cure Diabetes messages featuring colorful sneakers and the JDRF logo, phone number and the URL of our website.  Another message featured a photo or a young boy and the caption, Be His Hero Cure Juvenile Diabetes and the JDRF logo, phone number and the URL of our website.

This is the JDRF message that drivers see today and have seen this month driving the  101 in San Mateo.  What does this message say to you?

Connect with JDRF

Connect with JDRF

We wanted this message to say, hey you driving on Highway 101, do you have type 1 diabetes? Or does your child, spouse, grand child, partner, parent, aunt, uncle, cousin, sibling, friend, neighbor, teacher or even a co-worker live with type 1 diabetes?  If your answer is yes, we should talk.  It is easy to find us by searching online for JDRFBayArea which will bring up our blog, Twitter and Facebook and our website on the first page of Google, Yahoo and Big searches.  You will also find our YouTube and Flickr.  Connect with us in whatever way you prefer.

This message has the opportunity to be seen on an average by 119,395 persons 18+ in a 24 hour period during the week and a total of 3.4 million persons monthly.  Considering the positioning in the Silicon Valley, what do you think?  How effective will be using this billboard to inspire adults living with type 1 diabetes and people connected to type 1 diabetes to respond by learning more about JDRF if they do not already know us?

Connect with JDRF freeway view

Connect with JDRF freeway view

Connect with JDRF Close up

Connect with JDRF Close up

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Want to Volunteer but Only Have a Few Hours to Spare?

by Greg Martin12.18.2009

Do you think about getting involved in your community but have concerns that it may take too much time?
Do you have a few hours in the next couple of months to volunteer and give back?
Do you have type 1 diabetes or does your child, grand child, spouse, partner, parent, sibling, friend, neighbor or even your [...]

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Treatment for Diabetic Eye Disease Moves Ahead to Regulatory Review in Europe

by Greg Martin12.14.2009

Last week JDRF announced that Lucentis, a drug that will treat diabetic macular edema has been submitted for approval to the European Union’s regulatory agency one year early.  The submission is based on strong, positive results from Phase II clinical trials, including ones funded by JDRF.
People living with diabetes are at risk for the development [...]

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The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Adult Dilemma

by Greg Martin12.05.2009

I have been a member of the JDRF staff for only 16 months.  But as the story goes, JDRF was started by a group of parents whose children had type 1 diabetes.  The parents were determined to find cures for their children.  And so it began that other families were the focus of the work [...]

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The Sixteen Foot JDRF Tree Trimming Event

by Greg Martin12.02.2009

Last night a small but industrious group of JDRF volunteers and JDRF staff gathered for holiday cheer and to trim a 16 foot tree at Davies Symphony Hall.   JDRF has been provided with the tree as part of the Symphony’s Community Deck the Hall program.  Davies Symphony Hall will be transformed into an evergreen wonderland [...]

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The Designer Showcase and the Benefit to JDRF

by Greg Martin12.01.2009

The luxury residential tower Millennium Tower in San Francisco presented a designer showcase entitled Icons of Design, that featured more than 25 of the Bay Area’s most prestigious designers. The designers’ work was showcased in the four Grand Residences (usually not open to the general public) that occupy the building’s entire 52nd floor.   Each of [...]

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