”CoActive provides the best of both worlds for science-based health start-ups: solid presence both in the Bay Area and New York City media markets coupled with a strong willingness to partner with start-ups for mutual success. Their dogged pursuit of consumer news coverage has led to dozens of newspaper articles, TV and radio interviews and internet coverage, resulting in increased traffic to our site and vastly expanded awareness of our company and core competencies.  Today, just six months since announcing our service, SharpBrains is mentioned in nearly every major brain fitness article as the go-to experts in this burgeoning field.”

Alvaro Fernandez, Co-founder and CEO of SharpBrains

History: SharpBrains, launched in 2005 and headquartered in San Francisco, CA, is the first online brain fitness center to provide information about the science of brain fitness, individually tailored science-based brain fitness programs and qualified coaches for support and guidance.

Challenge: SharpBrains wanted nothing less than to become the premier site for education, products and services about brain fitness – a new segment of neurotechnology focused on training and improving specific brain functions, including memory, concentration and stress reduction.  With competitors such as Nintendo and Posit Science, SharpBrains would be neither the first nor the largest player to enter this growing field. 

Solution: CoActive developed a targeted national outreach program to garner media coverage and educate the public about brain fitness.  Efforts were focused on timely events such as ‘New Year’s Resolutions,’ ‘National Mathematics Month’ and ‘Brain Awareness Week.’  Reminiscent of the physical exercise craze of the 1980s, brain fitness became a hot topic in the news during the SharpBrains launch.

CoActive seized this opportunity to introduce SharpBrains as the only credible source of education and software products backed by neuroscientists, psychiatrists and other experts.  As a result, CoActive was able to help SharpBrains achieve a leading market presence almost out the gate with minimal marketing and no advertising.

Results: In just six months, SharpBrains was covered in a total of 25 newspapers including the Chicago Tribune, New York Post, San Francisco Examiner, Newsday and The Baltimore Sun.  CoActive also secured media coverage on the morning show Good Day Sacramento and on radio programs with KCBS-AM, WINS-AM, SIRIUS Satellite Radio and Tech Talk with Craig Peterson. Receiving this significant consumer news coverage has allowed SharpBrains to be perceived as one of the lead players in the industry and they continue to be mentioned in nearly every brain fitness feature story.

CoActive was awarded the Northern California Public Relations Society of America’s 2007 Bronze Anvil Award in the category of Media Relations, Consumer Products for its work with SharpBrains.