Welcome to Osteopathy Awareness Week
April 6 – 12, 2008

We aim to develop the awareness of both the public and other health professionals, through various promotional strategies, about Osteopathy, the benefits and outcomes of treatment and the education and training undertaken by Osteopaths.

By public education, we naturally mean the public awareness of Osteopaths and the conditions that we treat as well as the philosophy by which we treat. By professional education, we mean the communication to other health care professionals to develop real understanding of Osteopathic principles and the position of Osteopathy in the health care system.

These educational activities will be channelled at both a mass audience throughout Australia, as well as providing members with the tools and the training to educate at a local community level.

TELEVISION CAMPAIGN:
During Osteopathy Awareness Week 2008 the AOA has placed an advertising campaign on Foxtel and Channel 7, via media agents Mitchell. Just under 200 TV ads will be broadcast over the week, across Australia. The target audience is 30 - 50 year olds with disposable incomes and focusing more on females, than males.
So keep an eye out for the adverts during the week. The advert can be emailed around via a link to the AOA website or via U-Tube at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1vYxUCQ4xk

Download the AOA's recent Television Commercial (wmv 1.6mb)

MEDIA RELEASES:
The AOA has sent media releases to over 500 national, regional and local newspapaers, magazines, radio and TV stations.

Questions and Answers about Osteopathy is available here...

Our General Media Release is available here....

Our Arthritis Media Release is available here...

Our Pregnancy Media Release is available here...

AOA Calls for more funded University places in Osteopathy Release


Need more BUMPER STICKERS: 
Bumper stickers are available for just $10 per 20. Call the AOA Federal Office or email: aoa@osteopathic.com.au

Need other PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS:
The AOA has a range of brochures and other items available to order.
Call the AOA Federal Office or email: aoa@osteopathic.com.au or download the Order Form.
Download Order Form here.....

But first, here are some simple things to help:

1 Set up an information display in your local shopping centre.
2 Ensure you have plenty of give-aways with your clinic details clearly visible.
3 Make sure you have plenty of signage that clearly identifies you and/or your clinic and remember you can never have enough signage or posters.
4 Photocopy the enclosed press release on to your own letterhead and send it on to your local newspapers with a photograph of yourself, the clinic staff or the actual practice.
5 Testimonials and case studies are great support for press releases.
6 Telephone the editor or their assistant and let them know that Osteopathy Awareness Week is on the week commencing April 6, 2008 and would they please consider an article from you regarding Osteopathy and the local community.
Don't be frightened of a knock back.
7 Send the paper some background literature,
8 During the Awareness Week, hand a leaflet on Osteopathy to every patient you see 9 Simply contact your local primary and secondary schools and ask if they would be interested in a presentation to the students
10 Running an advertisement in your local paper
11 Interviews on Community and local radio stations are another great way to reach a broad audience in your local area.
12 The most valuable asset that you have is your patient database.
13 Need further advice in the lead up to Osteopathy Awareness Week? Please feel free to contact Federal Office on (02) 9410 0099 during office hours
14 Feedback for doing things better next year?