PEI WearTech Applied Research Center
PEI WearTech Applied Research Center
About Partnership for Economic Innovation.
The Partnership for Economic Innovation (PEI) is a passionate collective of business and community leaders dedicated to accelerating Arizona’s economic opportunities. PEI believes innovators are problem solvers who come from anywhere, if they have access to pathways to do so — which is why PEI invests in community-building technology and R&D designed to make Arizona more resilient and empower innovators to bring world-changing ideas to market. In 2018, PEI launched the WearTech Applied Research Center to support this mission.
10 to 1 Public Relations specializes in strategic communications for complex technology initiatives and innovation ecosystems. For PEI’s WearTech Applied Research Center, we leveraged our media relations expertise to deliver exceptional results through strategic planning, success story development, and targeted media outreach.
10 to 1 Public Relations has the depth and breadth of experience you need to define, plan, and execute strategic communications that reach and exceed your goals.
Call 480.550.6500
Showcasing Arizona’s Innovation Economy Through Wearable Technology Success Stories
Our Goals.
- Build awareness among key audiences for PEI securing funding for WearTech applied research projects
- Amplify success stories about applied research projects to demonstrate return on investment
- Advocate for ongoing public and private support of applied research
- Secure an exclusive story about the funding for the cohort of wearable technology projects
- Place stories about individual projects in local media
- Draft op-eds by key community influencers advocating for applied research support
Strategic Approach.
We implemented a comprehensive strategy that translated complex technology into compelling stories:
- Exclusive Announcements:Â Secured high-profile exclusive coverage for major funding news
- Project Storytelling:Â Highlighted individual success stories to demonstrate real-world impact
- Thought Leadership:Â Positioned community leaders as advocates through strategic op-eds
- Technical Translation:Â Simplified complex medical and technical concepts for diverse audiences
- Partner Coordination:Â Aligned messaging across multiple public and private stakeholders
- Milestone Tracking:Â Leveraged project achievements to create ongoing news opportunities
What We Did.
- Conducted internal interviews with project leads to gain deep understanding of technologies
- Monitored local news coverage around innovation and startups to align messaging
- Reviewed economic reports to connect applied research investments with broader impacts
- Pitched exclusive stories to reporters covering technology, innovation and startups
- Distributed press releases announcing funding and individual project milestones
- Secured interview opportunities for project companies and leaders
- Drafted op-eds highlighting the benefits of applied research for Arizona’s economy
- Coordinated messaging across university partners and private companies
Results and Impact.
- Secured 50+ stories about PEI applied research initiatives between May 2023 and May 2024
- Obtained an exclusive funding announcement in the Phoenix Business Journal
- Placed additional funding coverage in InBusiness Phoenix and AZ Big Media
- Generated success stories for individual projects including Movement Interactive, TouchPoints, GoX Labs, ReSuture, and MyACTome
- Secured broadcast coverage on FOX-10 that aired six different times
- Placed op-eds in influential publications including AZ Capitol Times, AZ Big Media, and Phoenix Business Journal
- Contributed to PEI successfully securing funding in the FY2024 budget from the Arizona Legislature
- Highlighted the $1.8 million awarded to a new cohort of 8 projects through the WearTech Applied Research Center
Key Takeaways.
- Translating complex technology into accessible stories increases media interest
- Coordinating messaging across multiple stakeholders creates consistent narratives
- Exclusive announcements generate higher-quality initial coverage
- Individual project success stories demonstrate tangible return on investment
- Strategic op-eds from community leaders build credibility and advocacy
- Connecting innovation to economic impact resonates with key stakeholders
- Ongoing storytelling maintains momentum for long-term funding initiatives
See the Stories.
- AZ Capitol Times: Public and private support for applied research drives innovation in Arizona
- Phoenix Business Journal: WearTech Applied Research Center receives $1.8M to fund more projects
- InBusiness Phoenix: Partnership for Economic Innovation Secures Funding for Wearable Technology Research
- AZ Big Media: Arizona WearTech Center awarded $1.8 million for innovation projects
- Phoenix Business Journal: My View: Arizona excels at innovation. Here’s how we keep it going
- InBusiness Phoenix: GoX Wearable Tech Advances Workers’ Safety
- Fox-10: AZ startup creates life-like surgery tech
- Phoenix Business Journal: MyACTome acquired by health care management organization
Similar Success Stories
Are You Ready to Be Heard?
Call 480.550.6500