"Office Hours" #2: Communications in a Post-Roe Future
To our readers,
We started outlining this month’s newsletter on June 23, 2022. It was going to be a good one. But the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022, and we couldn’t possibly think of anything else.
We thought of the millions in this country who lost their bodily autonomy. We thought of all those who can get pregnant in low-income communities without access to sufficient healthcare to support this pregnancy they will now be forced to carry to term, or without the means to travel across state lines to receive an abortion. We also thought of our daughters (we have four between us) who will now grow up in a world where they have fewer rights than their grandmothers.
We’ve been immensely grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with our roster of talented brands and companies who have not only spoken out in support of reproductive rights, but who have introduced products and services that will move the needle for those seeking contraceptive care. So this month, we’ve chosen to highlight some features we worked on that showcase those programs.
If you’re a brand founder reading this, you may be confused about how to speak up in a way that makes sense for your brand identity. We get it. Here are a few best practices for how to move forward.
1. Prioritize authenticity above all else. You should feel comfortable using your platform in a manner that feels authentic to you. It comes down to how you speak about it; if you’re not a loud, in-your-face brand, your messaging doesn’t have to be loud or in-your-face, either.
2. Take responsibility for your role, and learn how to utilize it. This is not only an issue for people who can become pregnant. Men — and male-focused brands, by proxy — have just a significant role in this fight. If you don’t know where to begin, seek out resources and support from long-standing, grassroots organizations. (This is a good place to start.) They’ll be more than happy to partner with you.
3. Seek out resources. Most fundamentally, it’s not enough just to speak out. Brands must attach action items or educational resources so consumers can either take action or educate themselves, if they don’t have the means or information. (See here for more info.)
The only place to go now is forward. Thanks so much for being here.
‘Til next month,
Jenny & Melissa
JBC x Stix Restart Emergency Contraceptive
In May, JBC and Stix began strategizing ways to support the brand’s upcoming launch of the Restart Donation Bank, a charitable initiative created to raise money to provide free doses of Stix’s emergency contraceptive, Restart, to anyone and everyone who may need it. (Restart is also sold at a lower cost than the emergency contraceptive pills available for purchase at most pharmacies.) In the lead-up to launch day and the weeks after, JBC continued to send updated and targeted pitches to media to coincide with donation updates, as well as what was occupying in the news cycle. To date, Stix has raised $170,000 to deploy 7,000 free doses.
Stix x Fast Company
Post-Roe, the morning after pill will be crucial. Startups are racing to increase access
By Elizabeth Segran (@LizSegran)
Stix x The New York Times
Women on why they’re stocking up on the morning-after pill
By Katherine Rosman (@katierosman) and Gina Cherelus (@jeanuh_)
Stix x The Wall Street Journal
Online healthcare companies increase advertising for morning-after pill
By Katie Deighton (@DollyDeighton)
Stix x Harper’s Bazaar
Stix is making morning-after pills more accessible
By Lindy Segal (@lindysegal)
Stix x Forbes
Why Stix wants to provide free emergency contraception to anyone
By MeiMei Fox (@MeiMeiFox)
JBC x Tia Fertility Care
In May, Tia was planning to launch fertility care following the opening of their San Francisco clinic. But just hours after the new clinic’s ribbon cutting, which hosted San Francisco Mayor London Breed, Politico ’s story on the leaked documents surrounding the likely overturning of Roe. v Wade went live. This prompted Carolyn Witte, co-founder and CEO, to accelerate Tia’s plans for medicated abortions. Earlier this month, Carolyn also penned an op-ed about a post-Roe world for the San Francisco Chronicle , a market important to the brand as Tia remains new-to-market in the city.
Tia x Marie Claire
Tia launches fertility services, while co-founders prepare for a ‘Post-Roe’ America
By Tanya Benedicto Klich (@TanyaKlich)
Tia x San Francisco Chronicle
After Roe, women need primary care doctors on the front line of abortion access
By Carolyn Witte (@carolynwitte)