Start Early

For over four years, Mekky Media has been the agency of record for Start Early, a nationally recognized nonprofit based in Chicago. In March 2024, as Illinois faced potential cuts to Early Intervention (EI) funding for FY25, Mekky Media was tasked with enhancing awareness through earned media. The team quickly developed key messaging and stories from parents and providers, securing over 7 million media impressions in under three months. This included a four-story series in the Cook County Chronicle, a WGN-TV interview and coverage of rallies in Peoria, IL and Springfield, IL. Additionally, an op-ed by an EI therapist was published in The State-Journal Register. While the budget ultimately supported EI, these efforts laid the groundwork for future budget discussions.