Meet the Expert:
Daphne Swancutt
Director, Healthcare Strategy
What got you into this business in the first place?
I came from a journalism background and fell in love with all things healthcare when
the PR department at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore hired me all those years ago.
What was a big influence in your career?
Early in my career, someone referred to me as "just the writer." I've resisted comfort
zones and labels ever since.
What was your most embarrassing moment in this business?
I once asked my boss if he had anything sweet in his drawers (Disclaimer: He kept a stash
of chocolate in his desk drawer).
Is there a great client story you'd care to share?
I worked very closely with a newspaper reporter on a series of stories that ended up winning
a Pulitzer prize. That was cool.
What attracted you to IMRE?
It's a smart agency with smart people. And the specific focus on healthcare made for love at first site.
Do you have a method for coming up with ideas and solutions for clients?
Yes. It's called strategic planning. I like to understand more about why clients want to
do something in the first place, before jumping into ideas and solutions. I think people often bypass strategy
and head straight for the tools and tactics—that's just spinning wheels.
What makes a great brand?
Great brands are honest, authentic and engaged. You can trust them to do the right thing.
What driving career goals do you still have?
I'm laser focused right now on helping to build a healthcare practice that is meaningful. One day,
maybe I'll write a book. But my blog partner (who's an author), says don't bother...it'll kill me.
What talent do you wish you had?
Juggling? You know, like they do in the circus.
If you had to live on a desert island, what would you miss most?
Wine and chocolate.
Is there any food that helps you think more creatively?
Wine and chocolate.
What frustrates you the most?
Bad writing.
What's your P.O.V. about politics?
I have one.
Tell us about your pets.
No pets. But I do have two kids. They're kind of like pets, except I don't need to walk them anymore.
(And they're more expensive.)
What do you do for a good time outside of work?
I'm a yoga freak. And, if there were a decent Country & Western bar around here, I'd probably be two-stepping
there on the weekends. But, I'd have to find a partner because my husband doesn't dance. Know anyone?
What was college like for you?
Undergrad—fun and games, then down to business. Grad school—very intense, but where I really learned the value
of analysis and my favorite theory—deconstruction.
What are your favorite websites?
Seriously? I don't have a favorite website. But, I am on Twitter a lot. Follow me @daphneleigh :-)