BTaylor Public Affairs

Media Relations

Becky Taylor, a former newspaper reporter and editor, served more than fourteen years in public affairs for the state of New Jersey, ultimately holding the posts of communications director and press secretary to the governor. She also led public affairs for the departments of Health, Environmental Protection and Energy and the Attorney General's Office. During her ten-year stint with Bristol-Myers Squibb, media relations continued to be a key responsibility. She managed the media on an array of issues from global philanthropy to local company activities in New Jersey.

Crisis Management

When an anthrax scare in central New Jersey shut down the regional post office and threatened the public safety, Becky Taylor led the crisis communications response at Bristol-Myers Squibb, coordinating with company officials, human resources, security, and public affairs leaders.

Community Relations

Bristol-Myers Squibb asked central New Jersey residents to assess its corporate citizenship. Respondents said they wanted to know more about the company's people and its community commitment. Becky Taylor created a PR campaign with the scientists who develop lifesaving medicines as "the face" of the company. They staffed a community speakers bureau and were featured in local newspapers and community pamphlets.

Collaborative Communications

Media relations and crisis management are but a few of the services delivered by BTaylor Public Affairs. The agency specializes in collaborative communications. That can mean bringing a U.S. reading program to an AIDS children's clinic in Africa. Or it can mean connecting affiliates of the Smithsonian Institution, the National Academies, and American high school teachers to enhance the way science is taught.

AIDS Outreach

Secure the Future
When Bristol-Myers Squibb's hallmark philanthropy program began making progress in fighting the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa, Becky Taylor developed a multiyear public information campaign to inform policymakers, media, employees, and the general public about it. She took 25 international journalists on an African media tour, hosted events for employees in the U.S., and planned and executed a major photographic exhibit featuring the company's efforts.
Kids Care
Bristol-Myers Squibb had a problem: Its employees didn't fully comprehend the impact of the company's $150 million initiative to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa. Becky Taylor's solution: Kids Care, a program connecting employees with children orphaned by AIDS, enabling them to give clothing and funds to children they "met" through a public relations campaign.
Reach Out and Read Africa
Doctors from the HIV/AIDS children's clinics in Africa said their patients and their parents faced educational challenges. Becky Taylor helped bring the U.S.-based Reach Out and Read program to them. Collaborating in this way led to a variety of public relations opportunities.

Cross-Cultural Connections

When middle school students in Hopewell, NJ, wanted to learn more about young people on other continents, Becky Taylor helped connect them with 200 South African students via videoconference in the Secure the Future Cross Cultural Connections program.

R_xeSEARCH

The pharmaceutical industry was looking for ways to improve science education. Becky Taylor's solution was to partner with:

the National Science Resources Center, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and the National Academies, advisors to the nation in science, engineering and medicine, and
high school teachers and administrators

The result is R_xeSEARCH, a program that integrates teaching and learning in biology, chemistry, math, social studies, and language arts. The program is currently taught in 50 participating schools in eight states.

Mind Matters

When reports documented that middle schoolers didn't have the coping skills they needed when confronted with mental health issues at home or among their peers, Becky Taylor and the Bristol-Myers Squibb team joined forces with the Boys and Girls Club of Trenton. Together they created Mind Matters, which helps students deal with troubled family members and others in their lives.

Lawrence Hopewell Trail

When BMS was looking for ways to support the community in collaboration with local leaders, Becky Taylor helped convene a task force with local, county and state government, as well as business and nonprofit representatives. The goal: plan and build a 20-mile trail in the heart of New Jersey. The Lawrence Hopewell Trail (LHT) is about 50 percent complete. In the meantime, task force members have forged relationships of trust and respect and regularly work together on other community issues.