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CASE STUDY

Creating an internal radio show to engage Boehringer Ingelheim’s UK&I staff

Boehringer-VTI-Day

The Client

Founded in 1885 and employing over 47,700 people across 146 affiliates, Boehringer Ingelheim is a global pharmaceutical powerhouse. With a commitment to continuous innovation and a goal to keep staff motivated and engaged, the company strives to run internal events that not only achieve business targets but also inspire employees and keep them connected.

Boehringer Ingelheim UK&I has been partnering with UKSV for many years to run successful internal events. As a long-standing client, they rely on UKSV to help their team shape creative events that go beyond standard formats and make the best use of innovative technical solutions.

Services used:

The Challenge

Every year, Boehringer Ingelheim hosts a global initiative, Value Through Innovation (VTI) Day – an internal event to celebrate the company’s commitment to innovation and foster a sense of togetherness among employees. 

The event is global, and each year a different country takes the lead in developing the theme. Globally, approximately one and a half hour’s worth of material is shared to communicate during the day, but outside of that, local sites are able to shape and create a day of activity and celebration, centred around the key theme, but in their own way. The day focuses on bringing these key messages to life, while highlighting the many ways in which the company gives back to the community and engages with local charities.  

Seeking to break away from traditional formats and bring together staff at different locations, such as those in the local HQ, in other sites, working from home, or on the road. 

The goal for 2023 within the UK&I was to create something truly unique that would resonate with the team regardless of location. To reach this goal, Boehringer Ingelheim decided to enlist our help. 

The Goals

Reimagine connecting colleagues for VTI Day with an innovative, creative format
Bring together employees regardless of location (HQ, other sites, WFH, on the road)
Boost engagement compared to previous editions of VTI Day

Our Approach

Whilst UKSV partnered with the Boehringer team to produce a Townhall for delivery of the core hour messages in the morning, along with creating, shaping and delivering an afternoon of workshops and activities, our proudest achievement for this event was the internal radio station!

We decided to introduce a bold new concept: transforming the event into an engaging radio show that would engage all staff across the UK, regardless of location. 

Inspired by the timeless charm of radio storytelling, we proposed an event where attendees would become active participants rather than passive bystanders. To do that, we envisioned a live broadcast complete with internal DJs and radio hosts, live interviews, music dedications and staff shout-outs. 

We worked closely with staff who volunteered to be coached and mentored by our team to become radio DJs for the day. We then crafted over eight hours of content, seamlessly weaving together entertainment, education and interaction – to ensure a dynamic and engaging experience from start to finish. In addition, we curated a diverse line-up of speakers; selected for their ability to captivate and inspire audiences. 

To bring our vision to life, we assembled a team of event professionals including audio engineers, live stream specialists and creative talent. Our production team designed soundscapes and music beds to enhance the atmosphere and immerse listeners into the show. 

On the day of the event, attendees at the HQ were greeted with a behind-the-scenes look at a live radio show with the communal coffee lounge area being converted into our radio studio for the day.  

To ensure staff could join from multiple production sites, including those in Ireland, we created radio hubs at different locations so that the whole company could tune in, including field teams who could connect online.

What we delivered:

  • An internal radio station with radio ‘hubs’ at different locations and the chance to tune in online
  • Over 8 hours of curated content
  • Staff coaching and mentoring to turn volunteers into DJs for the day
  • Technical support with audio engineers and live stream specialists
  • Tailored soundscapes and music beds

The Results

On the day of the event, VTI Radio went live at 8am via the corporate intranet, with staff being able to listen and watch live or on demand to suit their working schedule. The key core messages were reiterated throughout the livestream, along with team insights, live interviews, and a very popular song request feature. 

Interactive elements were seamlessly integrated to boost engagement – including live competitions, roving reporters, audience request sessions, live links for news stories and interviews, and real-time audience feedback. This allowed listeners to actively participate and help build the day’s narrative. To further boost engagement, we surprised listeners with special guest appearances – from selected speakers to charity partners. 

This led to unprecedented participation and engagement rates. Over 250 colleagues attended in person, and more than 350 joined online, with an average listening time of nearly two hours. The event clearly appealed to a wide variety of Boehringer Ingelheim staff. In fact, colleagues from all locations and levels of seniority took part in the show, from new starters to the longest serving member of staff. 

VTI Radio also proved to be a long-lived asset that served its purpose well beyond VTI Day. To this day, the station is accessed on demand and content is still being enjoyed by staff.

Would you like to hear how we can help you run your next immersive event? Get in touch with our team!

TESTIMONIAL

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  • The in-house radio show on our Innovation Day was nothing short of a game-changer. It was a beacon of inspiration, reaching every corner of our company, and uniting us all under the banner of innovation. The show was not just a program, but a platform that amplified the voices of our people, sharing their ideas and insights with a wide audience, including those working in the field across the UK and Ireland.
    Attendee
  • Quite often a struggle we had on corporate events was connecting head office workers, sales representatives, territory offices and manufacturing sites. For many years this disconnect was a reoccurring theme in feedback provided and would often take away from the great work happening in these events. By adding VTI radio we were able to bring all colleagues together regardless of location or roles allowing the event experience to be shared by all in a fun and innovative way.
    Attendee
  • VTI Radio gives me the ability to connect with colleagues I wouldn’t normally interact with and colleagues that I may never meet, as well as talk to people from all around the business. I also love that VTI Radio’s request feature allows us to collaborate on a personal level through our choice and love of music – a song can trigger a memory or a feeling in a way nothing else can and you can share that with your colleagues by choosing what you want to hear
    Attendee