touch point podcast

When we think about reputation management, our minds often jump to Google reviews and star ratings—but what if we’re thinking too small? In this episode, Chris Boyer and Reed Smith challenge the traditional approach to ORM and explore how health systems can leverage reputation as a strategic asset beyond the review section.They dive into: Reputation as a Business Asset – Why ORM isn’t just a marketing metric but a driver of partnerships, hiring, and regulatory trust. The Expanding Digital Footprint – How social media, AI-driven search, and misinformation shape brand perception. Operationalizing ORM – Moving reputation management beyond marketing to HR, legal, and corporate strategy. AI’s Role in Reputation – How algorithms curate (and sometimes distort) what people see about your brand. Plus, they sit down with Dean Browell to discuss the declining influence of Google Reviews in assessing a health system’s online reputation and what hospitals should focus on instead. Don’t miss this deep dive into the future of reputation management in healthcare—because in 2025, your brand’s trustworthiness isn’t just about reviews, it’s about strategy. Mentions from the show:  Reputation Management Statistics By Customer Reviews Impact, Revenue, Importance and Fake Review The Future of Online Reputation Management Services in 2025: What Businesses Must Know AI And Online Reputation Management: Five Trends For Brands To Keep Top Of Mind In 2025 Dean Browell on LinkedIn DiscoverFeedback.com Reed Smith on LinkedIn Chris Boyer on LinkedIn Chris Boyer website Chris Boyer on BlueSky Reed Smith on BlueSky Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, hosts Reed Smith and Chris Boyer explore the evolving role of content in healthcare marketing, diving into content composability, AI’s impact on content creation, and how health systems can maximize their content strategies. They break down how healthcare organizations can move beyond simple content production to a structured, data-driven approach that enhances patient engagement. Later in the show, they are joined by Ahava Leibtag, who introduces the concept of a Content Stack, offering a framework for building, managing, and distributing healthcare content efficiently. Tune in for insights on how to future-proof your content strategy in an AI-driven world. Mentions from the show:  What is Content Composability? How AI is reshaping the content creator industry 16 Predictions About AI, Content Creation And Its Effect On Business Ahava Leibtag on LinkedIn Aha Media Group Reed Smith on LinkedIn Chris Boyer on LinkedIn Chris Boyer website Chris Boyer on BlueSky Reed Smith on BlueSky Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Touch Point, hosts Chris Boyer and Reed Smith explore how retail healthcare’s retreat, increasing regulations, cybersecurity risks, and private equity consolidation are reshaping industry competition. With Walmart and Walgreens pulling back from healthcare, new state-level regulations tightening mergers, and cybersecurity emerging as a financial risk, traditional health systems remain dominant—but must adapt fast. Chris and Reed break down key strategies to stay agile, consumer-focused, and competitive. Jonathan Pathuis, Managing Partner at Cast & Hue, joins to discuss how User-Centered Design and Jobs to Be Done help health systems identify both direct and indirect competition. He explains why patient decision-making is shifting, how strategic planning and marketing must collaborate, and how human-centered insights uncover hidden threats and opportunities. Whether you're rethinking market strategy or trying to understand evolving patient behavior, this episode provides practical takeaways for navigating healthcare’s changing competitive landscape. Mentions from the show:  Becker’s Hospital Review, What Big Retailers Did in Healthcare in 2024 Politico, Retail Giants Can’t Figure Out Health Care National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), 2024 Legislative Recap: Health Care Consolidation and Competition National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), The Impact of Marketing Strategies in Healthcare Systems Invoca, How to Create a Healthcare Marketing Strategy: A Step-by-Step Guide ClearPoint Strategy, The 7 Most Effective Strategic Planning Models Used in Healthcare Kendall Hunt Publishing, Strategic Planning and Marketing in Healthcare Organizations National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), Integrated Marketing Communications: A Strategic Priority in Health Strata Decision Technology, Why Strategic Planning is Important in Healthcare Prezentium, Marketing Strategies, Tips to Create a Healthcare Marketing Plan Cascade, How To Implement Effective Strategic Planning In Healthcare Jonathan Pathuis on LinkedIn CastandHue.com How to Identify Competitors Through Jobs-to-be-Done Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, hosts Chris Boyer and Reed Smith explore the evolution of patient experience, from its holistic roots to today’s data-driven strategies. They discuss how healthcare’s focus on patient satisfaction metrics, Chief Experience Officers, and financial incentives has reshaped care—raising the question: are we truly improving experiences or just measuring them better? They also examine how digital engagement has transformed patient interactions, from search-driven healthcare decisions and AI-powered personalization to telehealth and omnichannel experiences.  Joining them is John Berndt of Valtech, who shares insights from the 2025 Emerging Experiences in Consumer Healthcare Report, including the shift toward vertical integration, the role of call centers in digital efforts, and how LLMs are shaping content supply chains for health systems. Mentions from the Show:  “The Evolution of Patient Experience: From Holistic Care to Human Experience” - Patient Experience Journal The growing disconnect between virtual health availability and consumer demand Integrating digital health tools to help improve the whole consumer experience Patients have more patience, comfort with digital healthcare tools Digital transformation in healthcare Virtual health care and fitness find their rhythm The Role of Digital Marketing in the Future of Healthcare   The impact and challenges of digital marketing in the health care industry during the digital era and the COVID-19 pandemic The Evolution of Healthcare Marketing: From Medicine 1.0 to Medicine 3.0 What is Marketing’s Role in the Digital Patient Journey? John Berndt on LinkedIn Valtech website The 2025 Emerging Experience in Consumer Healthcare report Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, hosts Chris Boyer and Reed Smith explore the shifting landscape of digital advertising in 2025, from privacy-first strategies and AI-driven targeting to the rise of connected TV (CTV) and retail media networks. They discuss how these trends are reshaping direct-to-consumer healthcare advertising and the critical role of Customer Data Platforms (CDPs) in adapting to Meta’s evolving ad ecosystem. Joining them is Adam Putterman of OursPrivacy, who shares expert insights on leveraging CDPs, navigating Meta’s changes, and future-proofing digital marketing strategies for health systems. Mentions from the Show:  Looking Ahead: 2025 Predictions and End-of-Year Outlook in Digital Advertising 2025 Digital Ad Trends and Predictions: Time to Turn the Page The State of Digital Marketing in 2025: What the Data Shows Harnessing AI to reshape consumer experiences in healthcare Tackling healthcare’s biggest burdens with generative AI Healthcare Marketing: 2024 Benchmarks for CMOs Health media: How consumer content informs the future of healthcare Meta’s Free-Speech Shift Made It Clear to Advertisers: ‘Brand Safety’ Is Out of Vogue Social Media: a HIPAA Danger Zone A healthcare team’s guide to HIPAA compliance on social media OursPrivacy.com Adam Putterman on LinkedIn Reed Smith on LinkedIn Chris Boyer on LinkedIn Chris Boyer website Chris Boyer on BlueSky Reed Smith on BlueSky Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, hosts Reed Smith and Chris Boyer check in on the state of social media for healthcare, and discuss the various changes to these social platforms - from content moderation, to managing algorithmic changes, a brief touch on paid social strategies and share information for health systems on how to plan for and adapt to future changes in social strategies. They are joined by Jenny Bristow of Hedy & Hopp who shares her insights on how healthcare clients can navigate the various changes in social today.  Mentions from the show:  Meta’s shift to ‘community notes’ risks hurting online health info providers more than ever Meta’s New Content Policy Will Harm Vulnerable Users. If It Really Valued Free Speech, It Would Make These Changes How Will AI, Social Media, and Partnerships Shape Healthcare Marketing? Jenny Bristow on LinkedIn Hedy & Hopp Reed Smith on LinkedIn Chris Boyer on LinkedIn Chris Boyer website Chris Boyer on BlueSky Reed Smith on BlueSky Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, hosts Reed Smith and Chris Boyer discuss the elements of developing an inclusive digital patient experience strategy, why it matters and the impact it has on a healthcare organization. Melissa Fors Shackelford joins to share her insights in the impacts of stigma for certain populations and how inclusivity efforts in marketing and communications are most effective.  Mentions from the Show:  People with disabilities appear in 1% of TV ads The Simone Biles Effect: Destigmatizing Mental Health Breaks In Athletics And Beyond Why ADA Compliance Matters in Health Care Marketing Inclusive Marketing - Disabilities The Business Case for Inclusive Advertising Melissa Fors Shackelford on LinkedIn Reed Smith on LinkedIn Chris Boyer on LinkedIn Chris Boyer website Chris Boyer on BlueSky Reed Smith on BlueSky Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our annual “Best-of” 2024 show, hosts Reed Smith and Chris Boyer reflect back on the past year and the various episodes and topics we discussed, and share results from our annual listener choice awards, including favorite episode and favorite guest. Congratulations to all of our winners and thanks for making this show amazing! Mentions from the Show:  Best Episode:  #3: TP375 - What Does 'Digital First' Really Mean? #2: TP368 - How Consumerism Is Challenging Healthcare Leadership #1: TP367 - It's the End of Search as We Know It (and I Feel Fine) Best Guest: #3: Chris Bevolo #2: Ben Dillon #1: Carrie Liken Reed Smith on LinkedIn Chris Boyer on LinkedIn Chris Boyer website Chris Boyer on BlueSky Reed Smith on BlueSky Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s episode, hosts Reed Smith and Chris Boyer share their perceptions and insights on patient access - what it is, what internal and external factors are impacting access and then they dive into a recent study by Experian that implies that both patients and providers are feeling optimistic about access improvements in health systems. Lastly, they share some ways to implement a consumer-centric access strategy.  Mentions from the Show: Experian Health Report: The State of Patient Access – 2024 Consumer-Centric Patient Access: Insights from Top Providers Reed Smith on LinkedIn Chris Boyer on LinkedIn Chris Boyer website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The US healthcare system is undergoing significant disruption due to innovations that fundamentally alter how services are delivered, how the market operates, or how patients are receiving care. In this episode, hosts Reed Smith and Chris Boyer outline five major disruptive trends and discuss how health systems need to prepare to be resilient through this disruption.   Mentions from the Show: 2024 healthcare services outlook: Challenges and opportunities The healthcare disruptors expected to make an impact in 2024 Driving growth through consumer centricity in healthcare 2024 Outlook: 'Blurring of the lines' as providers, retailers and payers plotting primary care plays Moody's upgrades healthcare outlook from negative to stable for 2024  Healthcare’s next chapter: What’s ahead for the US healthcare industry  A tough 2024 is on the horizon. Here's how Deloitte says healthcare leaders should prepare  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices