Organisation The International Herpes Alliance
Campaign International Herpes Week – 'Know Herpes'
PR team Packer Forbes Communications
Date 31 October-6 November
Budget £10,000
The week, which kicks off on 31 October, is promoted by London agency Packer Forbes Communications and is sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline. The agency and pharma firm have both been involved for all previous years' campaigns.
The International Herpes Alliance (IHA) is a web-based charity that aims to provide information to people with herpes. It is already hunting for backers for next year's campaign when GSK will cease to be involved. The IHA is seeking to 'become more independent and gain a wider funding base'.
For this year's activity, Packer Forbes is liaising with 50 herpes patient support groups around the world, including the UK's Herpes Viruses Association. GSK offices globally are implementing local media and public awareness campaigns.
Packer Forbes is not running any media events because of 'budget constraints.' The budget is £10,000, which includes printing costs.
Herpes manifests itself as genital sores, cold sores and fever blisters.
Packer Forbes senior account director Gayle Sawyer said: 'Herpes is a subject that is very rarely covered in consumer media and is still very much a taboo. We hope the week will capture attention because of the delicate subject.'
For further information contact Packer Forbes on 020 8772 1551.
