Blue Cross & Blue Shield of RI Internship
 

OBJECTIVES:

 

1) Learn the ins and outs of setting up internal campaigns swag for Blue Cross Internal Clients     

As a Public Affairs Intern, I primarily serve the Internal Communications Department. This department is unique because we essentially do internal PR and Communications for the other departments and associates within the company, who we call clients. All jobs big or small, are kept in a program called Clients and Profits, which the External Communications Department also uses. While I have been with the department, we have worked on a myriad of campaigns for various clients. Some have been for HR, setting up Employee Resource Groups and launching an employee education program called Blue University, other's have been within Public Affairs, assisting in the set-up of an internal social media ambassador program called Connect Blue, and an external summer 2015 social media campaign called Badge-Up! with Buddy the Badger. Aside from the departmental campaigns, we also set up a weekly meeting with the CEO/President Peter A. called Take 5 Live! where associates are free to ask him whatever is on their minds and he can give updates about everything healthcare, as well as assisting in this years launch of Blue Across Rhode Island, our company-wide day of service. 

 

Resources:         

I work extremely close with the Internal Communications Team (Jonathan Finn, Melanie Coon, Peter Gallant). Jonathan Finn is the graphic designer, so for all of the campaigns he designs the artwork, then I work on executing the finished product whether it is napkins, lanyards, or t-shirts. Peter Gallant runs the BCBSRI Intranet, so he constructs most of the electronic messaging surrounding the various campaigns.   I also worked with the Executive Administration Assistants to get rooms and venues booked, and to get purchase orders filled out. We work with many external vender partners to order various promotional items from large banner-ups and window clings, to napkins and lanyards.   I have also used prior invoices to make the ordering process more streamlined. 

 

Evidence:         

I have attached a proof for a lanyard used in the Connect Blue campaign, a price-quote of food grade labels used for a Blue University apple promotion, a first copy draft of the language for the Blue Across Rhode Island signage, and a copy of the internal communications calendar I created to montior all of our deadlines. Also attached is the link for the Badge Up this Summer Facebook Page, and a photo of the 3D cut-outs of Buddy the Badger I made for associates to take pictures with around the company.

https://www.facebook.com/BadgeUpRI/timeline

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2) Learn about transitioning Intranet Platforms   

 

Before joining BCBSRI, I didn't fully understand how important an Intranet is to the internal functioning of a company. Everyday whether it is a fire drill, a new soup or sandwhich, or an award that the company has recieved, it is posted and can be found on the intranet. Because the current platform we use isn't performing to the best of its ability, we are making the switch to a different vendor, which has not been chosen yet. My first task to kick-start the transition, and to prove that it was necessary was to conduct an audit of each and every single link that lives on the intranet. Whether it was a downloadable document, or a news story from 2007, I had to test the link and document its stability. My spreadsheet was then used in a presentation to the Executive Leaders in the company where a decision was made to move to a different platform. 

 

Resources:         

To gain more insight on the transition process and what my role would be, I spent a lot of time with the Internal Communications Team (Jonathan Finn, Melanie Coon, Peter Gallant) discussing my first plan of action, which was to conduct a full intranet audit.  I have also utilized the Executive Administration Assistants and their knowledge of where things are stored on the intranet and what works and what doesn't. Though an external vender partner has not been chosen, it has been helpful to converse with the two that are in consideration to see the pro's that they are offering, and how it compares to the platform we currently have.   

 

Evidence:        

I have attached the full intranet audit that I conducted which took several weeks to complete. I have removed the links in compliance with the confidentiality agreement I signed at the begining of my internship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INTERNSHIP DETAILS

 

1) Internship Duties:

-Works closely with the company’s Assistant Vice President of Public Affairs, Public Relations Specialist, and Manager of Internal Communications on initiatives including drafting and executing public relations efforts: releases, media advisories, talking points, social content, etc.

- Assists with increasing visibility on social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Google+ for the corporate channels

- Builds and maintains relevant local and national media lists

- Strategizes new social media campaigns and initiatives with community partners

- Provides assistance during events and event planning

- Calendars events on behalf of BCBSRI to the Patch Website such as Flu Clinics, Informational Medicare Sessions, or Open Enrollment Informational Sessions

- Creates Social Media content on behalf of BCBSRI for Twitter and Facebook

- Drafts articles for print publications such as RI Fit Magazine, Providence American, Options, and Get Magazine

- Composes Biographical Blurbs for new members of the BCBSRI Board

- Creates Quarterly Media Reports

- Creates Press Releases and Pitches

- Creates PowerPoint Presentations for Executive use

- Assisted in Smart Power and National Grid Award Ceremony where BCBSRI received the award for being the Rhode Island Energy Champion in the “Find Your Four Rhode Island Energy Challenge”. 

- Assisted in the BCBSRI "Tweet Suite" at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in Providence.

- Assisted in BlueAngel Blue Across Rhode Island BlueAngel Award Ceremony

- Responsible for logistics for internal communications meetings held by various associates, executives and the President/CEO

- Overview of the Intranet (InsideBlue)

- Worke closely on the All Associate Meeting, a 900+ attendee event at the RI Convention Center

- Hold a weekly company wide meeting in the café where associates can converse with the President and CEO Peter A. called Take 5 Live!

- Order promotional swag for internal events and campaigns

- Assist in the launch of Blue University, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island's first employee education program

- Created internal events for various campaigns and roll-outs 

- Worked on Badge Up this Summer Social Media Campaign

2) Internship Evaluation Methods
- Weekly Meetings
- Midterm Written Evaluation
- Final Written Evaluation

3) Internship Work Days/Hours
- Tuesday 9AM - 2PM
- Thursday 12PM - 5PM