i.e. network Launches With Singular Goal to Make Minnesota Healthier

MINNEAPOLIS, May 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Two well-known business, public affairs and communications professionals have joined forces to launch the i.e. network, a forward-thinking public advocacy alliance that will create spirited campaigns to improve community health and wellness with the organizational support of informed and engaged corporate citizens.  

The i.e. network founders, former news anchor Rick Kupchella and public affairs and media strategist Tom Mason, have an ambitious agenda for making Minnesota healthier. Their first effort is the creation of "The Alliance for a Healthier Minnesota," a consortium of corporations dedicated to integrating the state's wide assortment of health and wellness programming. Eight companies, including Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Capella University, Cargill, General Mills, Health Partners, Medtronic, Target, and United Health Group have signed on for participation.

In addition, the i.e. network will partner with the Minnesota Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP), a $47 million agency that apportions grants to select organizations across the state.

"We realized that our largest corporations, such as General Mills, Target, Medtronic, and others, have a deep investment in the health of their employees," said i.e. network founding partner Rick Kupchella. "Each entity is bursting with health-based initiatives and programming but what was missing was a forum for corporations to break out of their silos and engage with each other by opening the discussion of public health and sharing best practices. We see tremendous untapped potential in creating a network of health and wellness programming that, when aggregated, will have a profound impact on the health of Minnesotans."

In conjunction with the Alliance, the i.e. network will be executing a number of competitive initiatives, developing forums for a broader discussion on health and wellness, and producing relevant print and web content in the form of books, documentaries, blogs and a custom magazine. The first initiative will be a one hour-long documentary airing Saturday, May 8 at 8 p.m., on NBC stations in Minneapolis, Duluth, Rochester and Fargo/Moorhead.

"Instead of waiting for the government to create a new standard of health care, it is our intent to mobilize progressive corporations and move people to action," said i.e. network founding partner Tom Mason. "We know action follows informed engagement, which is exactly why we're committed to harnessing the information and resources that will move people to change behaviors and make us all healthier and better."  

For more information, visit www.theienetwork.com or call 612.279.2000

About i.e. network

The i.e. network was founded by marketing, media and public affairs professionals with specialized yet complementary skills, a history of achievement and civic involvement, and a shared commitment to marshaling their talents to advance the public good. It is their mission to improve the health and wellness of all Minnesotans through strategic coalitions, partnerships and research-based initiatives. For more information, go to www.theienetwork.com.

SOURCE i.e. network