Message Development

Messages matter, but they are not all created equal. When considering message development,it’s temping to choose words we like or terms that move us personally, but they can backfire. Some of these words cue up negative frames for their audiences and actually undermine the intended impact.

We prefer a research-based method to message development. We never substitute our ears for those of our target audiences. We help develop user-friendly and action-oriented messages that are believable – because they are true – and persuade with both fact and emotion.

Our process of developing messages starts by carefully examining public opinion and how issues are being framed by the media and other communicators. Working closely with our expert research partners, we create alternative messages and narratives and rigorously test them for their impact. We engage our clients in the process so they can contribute and see first-hand how various audiences react. In addition to media analysis, our message development process is often informed by individual interviews, focus groups and survey research.

We’ve been fortunate to work with clients on major message development initiatives that have led to advances in their fields, including in:

Arts Education
Community Colleges
Education and Youth Development
Health
Higher Education
International Development
Foundations
Progressive Religions
Workforce and Economic Development

Recent Clients

Ohio Board of Regents

Ohio faces serious challenges to increase the number of Ohioans that earn a college degree and help prepare potential employees for the workforce demands of Ohio’s knowledge economy. We’ve been working with community colleges in Ohio since 2004 with the Ford Foundation’s Bridges to Opportunity Initiative. Today, we are proud to serve the Ohio Board of Regents (OBR), the state agency that coordinates higher education through the University System of Ohio, which includes adult basic literacy and workforce education.

Cool Culture

Cool Culture, a nonprofit that encourages low-income families to seize the limitless learning opportunities in New York City's arts and cultural institutions, was looking to better communicate their work to key audiences. DG&Co. created a cohesive communications plan that includes redefined messages, and recommendations for media outreach and online communications to educate and engage the public on Cool Culture’s programs and activities.

Accelerating Opportunity

Accelerating Opportunity: A Breaking Through Initiative is a multi-state collaboration that seeks to reform adult basic education in the United States. Through an innovative combination of basic skills and occupational training, it is giving adult learners the skills they need to secure family-sustaining employment. The initiative is supported by ground-breaking coalition of funders including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Joyce Foundation, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Kresge Foundation and the Open Society Foundations.

The Atlantic Philanthropies

Atlantic Philanthropies is a philanthropic organization whose goal is to bring about lasting changes in the lives of people who are disadvantaged by their economic situation, race, nationality, gender, age, disabilities, immigration status, sexual orientation, political affiliation or religion. Atlantic Philanthropies supports programs in ageing, children and youth, population health, and reconciliation and human rights around the world.

Carnegie Corporation of New York

The Carnegie Corporation of New York is a philanthropic organization that is dedicated to making "real and permanent good in this world" through its programs including international peace and security, urban and higher education, higher education in Africa and Eurasia, democracy and civic education, and its Islam Initiative.

Child Advocacy 360

Child Advocacy 360 News Network is an independent, nonprofit service that brings to people's desktops, mailboxes and conversations the latest news and insights on children's welfare and rights, with a particular focus on the struggle to conquer abuse and neglect of children in our society.

Pennsylvania WIC Program

The Pennsylvania WIC Program's mission is to improve the health of eligible pregnant women, new mothers and children by providing nutrition education, breastfeeding support, healthy foods and referrals to health and social programs during the critical stages of fetal and early childhood development.

J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation

The J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation is a philanthropic organization dedicated to educational reform in Idaho. Through its initiatives, the foundation funds scholarships for college-bound students and partners with junior high and high schools around the state to ensure young Idahoans embark on some form of post-secondary education.

Horizons National

Horizons National is a nonprofit organization that provides student enrichment programs aimed at addressing the achievement gap through innovative summer programs.

Seattle Jobs Initiative

Seattle Jobs Initiative is a nonprofit organization that creates opportunities for people to support themselves and their families through living wage careers. Because it often serves as an “intermediary” between clients and job training and support services, succinctly describing their strategic value to funders and other key stakeholders is a challenge.

Ford Foundation - Bridges to Opportunity Initiative

Bridges to Opportunity Initiative is a program of the Ford Foundation. Its mission is to promote policy innovation, conduct research and develop models of effective institutional classroom and administrative practice for use by policymakers, college administrators and advocacy coalitions.

Universal Health Foundation of Connecticut – SustiNet Health Partnership

SustiNet is Connecticut’s innovative approach to securing affordable access to quality health care. It is a unique state strategy to expand access to quality health care coverage for Connecticut residents.

Center for Arts Education (NY)

The Center for Arts Education’s mission is to stimulate and sustain quality arts education program as an essential part of every child’s K-12 education in New York City’s public schools.

Corporation for a Skilled Workforce

The Corporation for a Skilled Workforce wants to ensure stability and good job opportunities for the American worker. Through community innovation and cultivating business talent, CSW helps governments, businesses and communities create jobs.

Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce

The Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce is an independent, nonprofit research and policy institute that studies the link between education, career qualifications and workforce demands. Specifically, the Center conducts research, engagement and outreach to policymakers and practitioners.

The James Irvine Foundation

The mission of the James Irvine Foundation is to expand opportunity for the people of California to participate in a vibrant, successful and inclusive society. Established in 1937, the Foundation has provided more than $1 billion in grants to over 3,000 nonprofit organizations across the state.

Orange County Department of Education

The Orange County Department of Education oversees school districts and over 500,000 students in Orange County, California. The arts education program in Orange County serves the community, districts, schools, and teachers to support arts education in schools.

PolicyLab, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

PolicyLab, a Center of Emphasis at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, ensures optimal child health and well-being by informing program and policy change with interdisciplinary research.

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation has been making grants since 1967 to solve social and environmental problems at home and around the world. Their goals include: helping to reduce global poverty, limiting the risk of climate change, improving education for students in California and elsewhere, improving reproductive health and rights worldwide, supporting vibrant performing arts in our community, advancing the field of philanthropy, and supporting disadvantaged communities in the San Francisco Bay Area.