Overview:

The Microbicides Media and Communications Initiative (MMCI) is a unique multi-partner collaboration housed at the Global Campaign for Microbicides. It is designed to help the wider microbicides field anticipate and respond proactively to the communications challenges posed by the conduct of large-scale effectiveness trials in Africa and other resource-limited settings.

In the past two years, the MMCI has grown in scope and impact in order to respond to the growing needs and advances in the field of HIV prevention research and development. The initiative aims to create a communications "community of practice" in this field by providing a venue to exchange information and solicit input from peers. Membership of MMCI extends to the communications officers and directors of all the organizations currently sponsoring clinical trials of microbicides, as well as clinical trial investigators, site study staff and key advocacy networks. It therefore provides a unique window into the perspectives and information needs of a wide variety of constituencies.

Goals:

The MMCI’s purpose is to create a “community of practice” to respond to the special communications challenges facing the field in the era of large-scale clinical trials. Its goals are to share strategies and strengthen the collective ability of the field to anticipate and respond proactively to the information needs of stakeholders, especially around clinical research.

The MMCI achieves these goals by building capacity and supporting the efforts of communications officers and clinical trial staff to plan appropriately and communicate effectively with various in-country and international stakeholders, including the media, key policymakers, communities hosting trials and advocacy networks.

Activities and accomplishments:

MMCI works to provide the microbicides field with communications resources and value added through collaboration. Activities include:

• Coordinate tele-briefings and open strategy calls.
• Provide "behind the scenes" communications and rapid response support, including media training and communications skills building.
• Offer assistance to local trial sites when requested.
• Provide a forum in which to discuss key messages.
• Set up procedures and expectations for responding to media flare-ups or unexpected developments in the field.
• Produce resources, such as a calendar of events to track large-scale clinical trials, and communications tool kit.
• Provide communications and media support at the international Microbicides Conference.
• Collaborate across prevention technologies, including PrEP and vaccines, to develop best practices for overall prevention research field.
• Share lessons learned.