Case studies:

Massachusetts Charter School Association
For the Massachusetts Charter Public School Association, we conducted benchmark voter research in anticipation of a ballot measure on the expansion of charter schools. The survey results, along with other information, helped persuade the Massachusetts Legislature to adopt many of the programs supported by MCPSA-thus avoiding a ballot campaign.

Blue Back Square Connecticut
In 2004, Opinion Dynamics provided research and strategic consulting to a successful campaign in West Hartford, Connecticut to approve bond funding and transfer of land by the town for the Blue Back Square mixed-use development project.

Oregon Genetically Modified Food Labeling
In 2002, we conducted a successful campaign to defeat an initiative to require labeling of all genetically modified foods. We worked on behalf of a coalition of farmers, grocers, and food manufacturers for whom the proposed bill would have created an excessive cost burden, given the lack of such a requirement throughout the rest of the country.

Coalition to repeal the Massachusetts Blue Laws
In 1994, we provided research and strategic consulting to a campaign that repealed 200-year-old Massachusetts laws which, among other things, kept supermarkets and other stores from opening on Sundays.

Constitutional amendment to the Ohio Constitution
In 1994, we provided research to a successful campaign to amend the Ohio constitution to ban taxes on food items. We worked on behalf of a coalition of beverage manufacturers, restaurants, and concerned citizens.

Health care reform
In 2000, a ballot question appeared in the election in Massachusetts that would have made substantial changes to health insurance in Massachusetts. The referendum was initially supported by a majority of residents. Opinion Dynamics research found that while people supported the general principles behind the referendum, there was a great deal of potential opposition to the specific details of how the changes would be implemented. Based on this information, Opinion Dynamics helped craft messages and marketing ideas that increased overall opposition to the measure. The information was used successfully to defeat a measure that was widely considered to be well-intentioned but deeply flawed.

Massachusetts Nurses Association
We have worked extensively with the MNA to help them in their efforts to pass legislation to set a minimum nurse-to-patient ratio in Massachusetts hospitals. We have surveyed doctors, nurses, hospital patients and the general public on the issue of nurse-to-patient ratios, and the results have been used to inform public relations campaigns, gain media attention for the issue, and to illustrate support for the issue with legislators.

Strategies for Children
In 2006, we provided research to help a nonprofit organization design a public relations campaign to increase support for its goal of providing early childhood education to all Massachusetts families.

Hurricane Voices Breast Cancer Foundation
On behalf of a breast cancer foundation whose mission included educating the public on issues related to the disease, Opinion Dynamics conducted large-scale surveys of the general population. The surveys looked at awareness of the causes and risks of breast cancer, willingness to take actions to join the fight against the disease, and awareness of the various organizations dedicated to the cause. The first study, conducted in 2002, was done prior to an outreach campaign; the second, conducted in 2005, evaluated the success of the campaign in terms of awareness and changes in attitudes over the three-year period.

Contact: Ernie Paicopolos - epaicopolos@opiniondynamics.com