Ten years ago, Deborah Mullen established Captus Communications after a 20-year career in the government contracting industry, managing communications projects for the National Institutes of Health and other agencies within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Today Captus brings together a core group of experts who, in some cases, have worked together for years on the nation's toughest public health challenges — from HIV/AIDS to tobacco control, chronic disease prevention, and children's health promotion — to work together on the new challenges in patient safety, recruitment of first responders, and advocacy for health care access and quality. We do this for government agencies, non-profit organizations, trade associations, foundations, academic institutions, and corporations.
At Captus, our talented team combines best practice approaches with lessons learned over the years working with leaders in these complex fields. This experience gives us an unparalleled depth of knowledge to develop and launch education and recruitment campaigns, create hard working Web sites and publications including clinical practice guidelines, annual reports, and multifaceted tool kits.
We bring an energetic and creative approach to each project that keeps our core clients coming back year after year. Our collaborative management style makes it fun and easy for our clients to partner with us — we pay attention to the details to accomplish our client's communications goals effectively, on time, and at very competitive rates.
Established in 2002 as a woman owned, small business
DUNS #123623931 Cage Code 4JMZ4
ORCA Registered; GSA Contract Pending
Federal Procurement Listings: 99 and R
Captus offers many different types of contracting arrangements as a prime or subcontractor including fixed price, time and materials, and retainer contracts.
Contact us to learn about our discounted rates for government and non-profit clients.
Captus has a small core team of full and part-time individuals who work together regularly on projects and products that typically require a combination of services. Whether they be Web, print or video products, we assemble a team that can tackle all the requirements. When we need specialized expertise, we draw upon a network of highly talented individuals and firms, many of whom we have worked with for years so that we can confidently undertake projects that require highly specialized skills and knowledge.
The capabilities of our core in-house team and of our strategic partners are provided below.
Deborah Mullen established Captus Communications in 2002 to provide strategic planning and integrated marketing communications services focused on health promotion, community development, and public safety. With over 25 years of experience in the health communications field, including eight years of experience leading the development of Web sites and multimedia productions, Deborah is adept at keeping multiple projects on track, paying attention to the details while not losing sight of the bigger picture. She has managed the development of hundreds of print publications over the course of her career for a variety of audiences from consumers to policy makers. She has overseen the development and production process for just about every format including brochures, direct mail postcards, catalogs, newsletters, reports, exhibits, posters, booklets, toolkits, binders, print ads, Web sites, etc., working closely with clients, designers, and writers to achieve award winning results.
Recent appointments and accomplishments:
With over 25 years experience in advertising design and communications marketing, Bob Walter is uniquely qualified to deliver successful Web, broadcast, print, collateral and direct response campaigns for a wide range of consumer and business communications. His work has been recognized internationally and his numerous awards include the DMA Gold Echo Award, The American Graphic Design Awards, Telly Awards, and recently two 2011 Web Health Awards. After serving as Managing Creative Director for Broadcast at Time Life, Bob launched his own advertising agency, Blue Sky Marcom in October 2000 delivering strategic marketing solutions for a wide range of clients including: Guthy-Renker, Comcast, Ketchum Public Relations (GSK, Pfizer, Aetna, HHS, Clorox. HaagenDaz, FedEx), USAToday/Gannett, AOL/Time Warner, Columbia House Music & Video, The Nature Conservancy, and The National Geographic Society.
In early 2008, Bob joined Captus full time, as Creative Director and manager of Captus's art department. Since joining Captus, he has led design efforts for a wide range of projects including the Keeping America Healthy toolkit for the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease winning an international visual arts award, the 2011 PhRMA Profile Annual Report, fifteen Web sites, and much more.
Marge is a medical marketing and advertising professional with over 15 years experience working in account, copy, research, creative and editorial services. Since joining Captus in 2008, Marge has provided project management, content management, copywriting and editorial services. Marge's projects have included Web sites and training curricula for the American Academy of Pediatrics, print projects for the Renal Physicians Association, and a Web site for The Business Bank.
Marge has worked in Washington, Massachusetts, and London. Her work with Boston Scientific Corporation won the Rx Awards of Excellence for Ad Campaign and Collateral; the Biomedical Marketers Association Best of Show for Ad Campaign and First Place in Ad Category; and the Medical Marketing Association Gold Award for Ad Campaign. She has also worked with Indian Health Services, Pharmacia Corporation, Sanofi-Aventis UK, Elsevier Publications, and Genzyme Corporation.
Melissa joins Captus with a well-rounded marketing and communications skill set in account/project management, production management, business development, writing, and editing. Having worked in a variety of sectors including higher education, non-profit and financial, she offers a diverse scope of experience. With a BA in Journalism and two years of, graduate-level study in history, Melissa offers a strong editorial background and a keen eyeideal for proofing and editing our client's highly detail-oriented marketing and communications materials. Her eagle eye and attention to detail will be an asset to any project she works on and her highly organized and conscientious work ethic ensures that all Captus Communications clients get only the highest level of service and professionalism. Melissa has years of experience effectively managing production schedules and working with print and other creative vendors to produce exceptional quality deliverables on-time and on-budget. As Production Manager, she manages the company's production schedule and is responsible for gathering competitive bids, documenting print specifications, analyzing quotes and bids, and making vendor recommendations.
Oliver brings over 20 years of experience in the field of graphic design and print management. He has provided services including art direction, publication design, print production, computer graphics, and production management. His project involvement has included magazines, books, annuals reports, newsletters, conference proceedings, corporate identity, brochures, print advertising, direct mail promotions, and posters. Clients he has worked with include the National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center, Children's Hospital of Boston, Clinical Pharmacy Associates, Inc., American Public Human Services Association, the Department of Education, and Gallaudet University. Since joining Captus, Oliver served as the lead designer on many projects including multiple annual reports and publication kits for PhRMA; a toolkit for the Partnership to Fight Chronic Diseases which won an international visual design award; promotional materials and Web design components for the Renal Physicians Association, to name a few.
Anne has been a writer and editor for more than 25 years. Her primary focus is on health-related issues, and she has covered topics such as child health promotion, nutrition, physical activity, obesity prevention, Alzheimer's disease, media literacy, heart disease, HIV/AIDS, cancer, and teen pregnancy prevention. Anne has experience across a range of writing and editorial projects, including writing and editing books and reports, editing scientific manuscripts, developing content for Web sites, and writing and editing curricula.
Recent examples of Anne's work include providing writing and editorial assistance to the editors of Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents (3rd ed., 2008). She also has provided editorial support for several ancillary publications, including the Bright Futures Pocket Guide and a guide to preventive services for children. She has written a number of publications for the National Institute on Aging, including Alzheimer's Disease: Unraveling the Mystery (2002 and 2009 editions), the annual Alzheimer's Disease Progress Report (1999 through 2007), and Exercise and Physical Activity: Your Everyday Guide from the National Institute on Aging (2009). Anne is currently serving as the science writer for the 2010 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, which will advise USDA and HHS on revisions to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. In 2008, she served in the same capacity for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (both the Scientific Advisory Committee's report and the Department's policy document). Anne also writes articles for the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Diseases and Conditions Index and assists the National Cancer Institute's Applied Research Program with a wide variety of print and Web writing and editing.
Cynthia Wright, Principal of CJW Associates, has a wide-ranging experience in marketing communications for health care and non-profit organizations includes managing communications and education campaigns, publications, special events, and cause-related marketing communications. Her extensive experience in nephrology is rooted in her work for the National Kidney Foundation as well contract management for the National Institutes of Diabetes, Digestive & Kidney Diseases, and NIH. In those roles, she has supported clinical trials, PR and public information campaigns, managed advocacy-related public hearings, created patient education programs and materials, and managed all communications elements of the U.S. Transplant Games.
In addition to kidney diseases and transplantation, Cynthia has issue-specific experience in lung diseases including asthma, air quality, environmental health, tobacco control, cancer, heart disease, and rare diseases. Since establishing CJW Associates in 1999, she has executed editorial and professional education projects and conference support. She has worked with such agencies as the American Lung Association, Environmental Education Foundation, the Renal Physicians Association, and Children's Brain Tumor Foundation.
Hassan has four years of web design/development experience, working on various projects based on ideas, themes, illustrations, and foundations of existing sites and as well as development of new sites. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology (Web Development) and a minor in Business from George Mason University. Prior to joining Captus this year, he worked for three years at Profiles & Profiles, a small marketing company that offered opportunities for highly creative web designs and other materials. He designed menus, business cards, brochures, flyers, and Web sites for local businesses. At Captus, Hassan works as a web developer collaborating with the Creative Director to implement creative designs and build out complex Web sites to client specifications. His special skills are:
Captus received a Bronze Award in the Web-based Resource Tool category for our work on the American Academy of Pediatrics DBPeds.org Web site and the Dating Abuse Stops Here (DASH) Web site. The Web Health Awards recognize the nation's best consumer health programs and materials.
Awarded by the International Academy of the Visual Arts, Captus received a Communicator Award Silver Award of Distinction for its work on the Dating Abuse Stops Here (DASH) Web site. The Communicator Awards is the largest and most competitive awards program honoring creative excellence for communications professionals.
Captus received a Bronze Award for our work on the Healthy Child Care America Web site, a program of the Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The Summit Creative Awards recognizes and celebrates the creative accomplishments of small and medium sized advertising agencies and other creative groups.
The International Academy of the Visual Arts bestowed a Silver Award to Captus for our work on the 2009 Pharmaceutical Researchers and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) Profile Annual Report. The Davey Awards honor the finest creative work from the best small firms, agencies and companies worldwide.
Awarded by the Summit International Awards for the Captus 2008 holiday card.
Awarded by the International Academy of the Visual Arts, Captus received a Silver Award in the Health-based Best Practices Toolkit category for the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease Toolkit.
The Printing Industries of Virginia awarded the 2008 PhRMA Profile "Best in Print" in their 2008 Graphic Communications competition.
The American Academy of Pediatrics engaged Captus Communications to revise the site architecture and improve the functionality of an existing site that had outgrown its original configuration. Captus created a solution to reorganize the "Resource Library" making frequently requested materials readily available from every page of the site. Working closely with our AAP liaison to reorganize site content and extend the branding and color palette throughout the site, our developer essentially rebuilt and updated the coding from top to bottom. By providing clean, updated style sheets and coding, AAP CHIC staff can now easily maintain and update the site as new resources become available.
2012 will mark the 10th year Captus has written, designed and produced the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) annual industry Profile. Each year, our creative department is tasked with coming up with a unique look for the book every year – a look that will carry across multiple projects and formats, including a PowerPoint presentation and a laminated card of key facts. We're proud to say we've won several Davey awards for excellence in design and for the printing of this Profile over the years. In addition, it is one of the most-used publications at PhRMA, serving as the go-to for the latest industry information. Visit our Portfolio page to see examples of past Profiles!
Captus conceptualized and developed a comprehensive first responder volunteer recruitment plan and campaign to increase public awareness about volunteer opportunities. We facilitated a focus group discussion with current volunteers to inform the campaign planning and messaging, and worked closely with a Chesterfield County Fire and EMS Steering Committee which met weekly throughout the six month assignment. The campaign launch was timed to coincide with their open house schedule for fall fire prevention education efforts. Captus managed a custom photo shoot on location to photograph volunteers from multiple stations and gather their bios to incorporate into campaign messaging and materials. Captus developed branding, graphic design, and copy for a variety of materials including print materials (some in Spanish), portable exhibits, and recruitment themed Web pages to integrate into the county's site. We also incorporated QR (quick response) codes on the print materials for use with Smartphones to scan the code and launch an email to submit an application. See examples on the Campaign Development Page.
The American Academy of Pediatrics launched the new Julius B. Richmond Center of Excellence Web site designed and developed by Captus Communications. The attractive site features many innovative technology solutions to make in-depth content readily accessible to users. Also launched is a new online resource to promote healthy transportation policy resources for the pediatric community.
Over the past 5 years, Captus has worked closely with the OWL VFD to develop and implement a comprehensive volunteer recruitment campaign. We conducted focus groups with volunteers and prepared a campaign plan including media recommendations and public relations ideas that was implemented in 2 phases. The first phase focused on the development of recruitment materials including a new Web site, portable displays for use during Open Houses and community events, and a recruitment brochure. These materials featured images from a custom photo shoot which Captus managed on location, to depict dramatic rescue events such as a water rescue at the Occoquan River, and an EMS response to an automobile crash.
The second phase, just completed, focused on implementing a public relations strategy with regular press releases and incorporation of social media by a volunteer public relations coordinator, Web content development, revised branding, and marketing materials including bingo promotion, junior member recruitment brochure, partnership program information to support recruitment and community interaction. To develop these materials, Captus managed a second custom photo shoot to feature current volunteers in all marketing materials. Captus develop a series of personalized displays to be placed in every station as an educational and informational tool for both members and the public. Each display showcases a variety of materials Captus has developed with OWL VFD. Members as well as the public can learn about the Department's various membership programs and opportunities, how OWL VFD serves the community, upcoming events and meetings, safety information, apply for membership, and find a directory map with information about each station.
The DASH site was honored this year with two prestigious awards – a Bronze Web Health Award and a Silver Communicator Award.
DASH was created from tragedy. Siobhan Russell was a beautiful, vibrant 19-year-old when she was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in April 2009. Her devastated parents, Lynne and Andy, needed to do something to keep Shev's spirit alive. After reaching out to parents of other teen victims of dating abuse, Lynne, a graphic designer at Captus, found herself inspired to create DASH as a resource for her community. With the help of neighbors and friends, DASH was created. Captus's Creative Director, Bob Walter designed and developed the site. Captus provided our services pro bono in memory and honor of Siobhan.
This new site, sponsored by the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics (SODBP), is aimed at professionals interested in child development and behavior, especially in the clinical setting. It features information and resources related to practice management, parent handouts, screening and assessment, education, policy statements, links in the field and much more. This site was selected as a Bronze Award winner in the 2011 Web Health Award web-based resource tool category.
Captus is always on the look-out for talented people to join our team. We offer flexible working arrangements, including freelance, part-time, full-time, temporary, and graduate-level internships, depending on our needs.
If you are creative, hard-working, self-motivated, have at least three to five years of experience in your field, along with solid educational credentials and references, and want to work on health-related projects, contact us.
We are currently seeking experts in the following fields, due to increasing demand for these services:
Please submit resumes to captus@captuscomm.com as PDF or Word documents.
Captus Communications, LLC
1144 Walker Road, Suite E
Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Phone: (703) 542-4910
Fax: (703) 917-4347
captus@captuscomm.com
