Academic & Institutional

When Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy began plans for their 25th anniversary event, featuring a conversation between James A. Baker, III and President Barack Obama, DPWPR was engaged to coordinate all communications efforts. The agency developed a comprehensive strategic communications plan which included a targeted media outreach and advertising campaign to convey the accomplishments of the Baker Institute, the relevancy of its research, and the institute’s innovative future plans.


DPWPR worked in tandem with President Obama’s communications team and Rice University to coordinate all aspects of media relations, including messaging, advance outreach, media guest list development and event logistics. The advertising campaign included print and broadcast placements, along with a digital campaign using proprietary data and optimization technology to maximize engagement.


DPWPR was on-site at the event, managing the pool camera, media guests, national and local live shots. Coverage continued for days generating a remarkable tally of more than 500 million media impressions.

DPWPR was selected to develop and implement a comprehensive profile-raising communications plan designed to address the importance of basic chemical research funding and STEM education, and to promote the Foundation’s profound impact on chemistry research in Texas. The agency continues to coordinate media outreach and social media efforts for the Foundation’s key initiatives, including the Robert A. Welch Award in Chemistry, the Norman Hackerman Award in Chemical Research, the Welch Summer Scholar Program and the annual Welch Conference on Chemical Research, which attracts the brightest scientific minds across the globe. 

When visionary George Mitchell was a senior in high school, he could not learn enough about physics. To satisfy his curiosity about matter, energy, and the broader mysteries of the universe, he poured through text books, novels, and popular science magazines to learn everything he could. His insatiable curiosity ultimately led to a $35M gift to his alma mater Texas A&M University, to create the George P. and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Institute for Fundamental Physics and Astronomy and the George P. Mitchell Physics building. 

DPWPR was on hand to spread the word across Texas and the country about the investment and alignment of Texas A&M with some of the greatest minds in physics and astronomy. From a groundbreaking communications plan to the formal opening announcement, DPWPR masterfully communicated the mission, Mitchell’s vision, and their forward-thinking philanthropy to attract such brilliant minds as Stephen Hawking.

DPWPR was selected to plan and execute a comprehensive communications campaign celebrating the Houston Ship Channel’s Centennial. The agency provided public relations counsel, creating promotional and media partnerships, securing editorial board meetings, promoting signature events, exhibitions and initiatives, and advancing the Centennial commemorative book and PBS documentary. Throughout the initiative, DPWPR managed relationships with Centennial partners and stakeholders including the Houston Mayor’s Office, the Houston Arts Alliance, the Harris County Judge’s Office, the Port of Houston, and top Centennial sponsors.