RADNOR, Pa., March 10, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Relay (relaynetwork.com), a technology company that connects trusted brands to their customers on a private, mobile communication network, announced today company president Steve Gillin will present at The 12th Annual World Health Care Congress held in Washington D.C. March 22 - 25, 2015. Gillin will be joined by Paula Sunshine, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Consumer Business at Independence Blue Cross (Independence) to address industry decision makers focused on critical challenges and opportunities facing healthcare.
In their March 23rd presentation, Gillin and Sunshine will discuss the future of communication in healthcare and what payers and providers need to do today to stay relevant in a new competitive landscape. Sunshine will share the roadmap Independence Blue Cross used to make the shift to mobile communications with Relay, as well as what has made the multiple award-winning program one of its most successful new member engagement initiatives.
"The communication channels being used to reach members and patients today just aren't as effective as they once were or as they need to be," said Gillin. "To keep pace and stay relevant, providers and payers need to do something completely different. Independence was one of the first to recognize that reaching its business goals would require a new way to communicate with its members. It's one of the best examples of how improved communications can change the trajectory of the business. That philosophy drives our business at Relay and has proved to be extremely beneficial for our clients."
"As the health care industry continues its massive transformation, the companies that thrive will be those that execute fresh ideas and develop groundbreaking innovations," said Sunshine. "Our award-winning Relay solution, IBX Wire™, increased our ability to educate and engage members in a way that no other channel could. In less than a year we tripled the response rates that we normally see using direct mail and email and significantly increased utilization of our digital assets, such as IBX Mobile and our physician finder tool."
Through Relay's platform, Independence has rapidly accelerated its digital footprint through a secure and HIPAA-compliant mobile channel. Launched in 2013, more than 415,000 customers have joined the IBX Wire, enabling the health insurer to effectively service consumers, drive healthier behaviors, and improve outcomes through high-impact messages around preventative care, health reform, care gaps, treatment adherence and more.
Relay's invitation to speak at the World Health Care Congress follows its recent win at the 2014 Modern Healthcare and Advertising Age Healthcare Marketing IMPACT Awards for Patient Education Campaign of the Year. IBX Wire was also recognized as the winner in the New Media category of the Philadelphia Business Journal's Innovation Awards this past November.
Following the success of the IBX Wire, Relay is launching similar programs for BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska, and AmeriHealth, with several others to be announced next quarter.
About Relay
Relay is a technology company that connects trusted brands with people through direct, mobile communication so they can effortlessly get stuff done. We help businesses and organizations get and keep more customers by making it easy for people to interact with them. When brands and people connect on Relay, they're brought together on a private communication network designed for action. Over 1 million people every month use Relay to connect with companies within healthcare, financial services, insurance, energy, travel and hospitality, and more.
Headquartered in greater Philadelphia, PA, Relay is backed by NewSpring Capital and First Round Capital. For more information, visit www.relaynetwork.com or connect with Relay on Facebook and on Twitter at @Relayit. Relay, Relay Wire, and Wire are trademarks and service marks of Relay Network, LLC.