barbjump.com

barbjump.com is a Washington-based public relations and communications consultancy that specializes in health advocacy and behavior change communications. Founded in 1991, the firm has built a reputation for crafting campaigns that move people from awareness to action. Unlike many agencies that focus solely on brand awareness, barbjump.com concentrates on the harder challenge: changing deeply ingrained behaviors, particularly in healthcare and public health contexts. The consultancy operates out of Washington, District of Columbia, United States, and has worked extensively with federal health agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and nonprofit organizations to create messaging that resonates across traditional and digital media.

Core Expertise in Health Advocacy and Message Framing

At the heart of barbjump.com's work is a deep understanding of how to frame health messages to drive behavior change. The firm’s approach is grounded in behavior change communications and health messaging strategy, meaning each campaign is designed not just to inform but to motivate. This specialty is particularly evident in their work with clients like the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). For example, barbjump.com contributed to The Heart Truth campaign and its iconic Red Dress symbol, which successfully reframed heart disease as a women’s health issue and spurred millions of women to take preventive action. The firm’s ability to distill complex medical information into clear, compelling copy and taglines is a hallmark of their service, making them a go-to partner for organizations that need to communicate risk, prevention, and treatment options to diverse audiences.

Services and Capabilities

barbjump.com offers a focused set of services that align with their behavior change mission. While the firm does not provide a full list of services, their demonstrated work and keywords indicate the following core capabilities:

• Health advocacy PR and campaign development
• Message framing and health messaging strategy
• Copywriting and editing for print, digital, and social media
• Tagline and creative strategy development
• Branding and marketing strategy for healthcare and public health
• Behavior change communications planning
• Public relations and communications consulting
• Marketing and advertising campaign support

These services are delivered with a particular emphasis on integrating traditional and digital media, ensuring that messages reach audiences where they are most receptive. The firm’s creative strategy often involves developing memorable taglines and visual identities that stick, as seen in their work for the Red Dress campaign and The Mammovan, a mobile mammography initiative. barbjump.com also provides writing and editing services, which are critical for producing patient education materials, press releases, and social copy that maintains clarity and compliance in regulated health environments.

Client Base and Collaborative Approach

Over its three decades in operation, barbjump.com has built a diverse client roster that spans federal agencies, pharmaceutical companies, healthcare providers, and nonprofit organizations. Notable clients include the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), PhRMA, Merck, CSL, Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute, and Sunrise Senior Living. The firm also has experience working with major public relations agencies like Ketchum and OgilvyPR, often serving as a specialized subcontractor for health advocacy components of larger campaigns. Beyond healthcare, barbjump.com has applied its behavior change expertise to clients such as FEMA, Booz Allen Hamilton, the National Geographic Society, Goodwill of Greater Washington, and MasterCard Center for Inclusive Growth. This breadth demonstrates that the firm’s core skill—persuading people to adopt new behaviors—translates across sectors, from emergency preparedness to inclusive finance. The consultancy is particularly well-suited for organizations launching public health initiatives, pharmaceutical product communications, or social marketing campaigns that require a deep understanding of audience psychology and message framing. For any client seeking to move beyond awareness to measurable behavior change, barbjump.com offers a proven, evidence-based approach developed over 30 years of practice in Washington and beyond.