I Wish: Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in STEM
A nationwide communications campaign driving attendance, awareness, and advocacy for the I Wish movement.
Springboard Communications partnered with I Wish, the organisation dedicated to encouraging teenage girls to pursue STEM, to deliver a high-impact communications campaign for the launch of the 11th Annual I Wish STEM Showcase and the release of the 2024 I Wish Survey findings. The 2024/2025 campaign marked an expansion of the showcase, the first results from the new primary school programme, and the announcement of key partnerships, including Translink, to increase accessibility for attendees across Ireland.
Our work helped to drive record attendance and media visibility for a cause that aligns closely with our own values of gender equity and education.
Objectives
I Wish set out to:
- Drive awareness and attendance for the 2025 STEM Showcase.
- Highlight the expansion of the programme and the inclusion of primary school students.
- Secure national and regional coverage to attract corporate partners and reinforce I Wish’s leadership in STEM advocacy.
- Position co-founders Gillian Keating and Caroline O’Driscoll, alongside alumni and student ambassadors, as compelling spokespeople for the movement.
Our Approach
Springboard Communications designed a multi-phase media and stakeholder engagement strategy to build momentum from October 2024 through February 2025. This included:
Media-First Storytelling: Crafted narratives around expansion, new programme impact, and personal stories from students, alumni, and teachers.
Strategic Media Relations: Targeted Tier 1 national media (e.g. RTÉ Morning Ireland, The Irish Times) alongside regional and business/tech verticals to reach both students and potential partners.
High-Profile Photocalls: Coordinated key spokespeople, student ambassadors, and political leaders, including An Taoiseach Simon Harris, ensuring media-ready imagery and soundbites.
Content-Rich Media Packs: Survey infographics, quotes, and multimedia assets to increase pickup.
Partnership Amplification: Launched the Translink partnership through dedicated media outreach, reinforcing accessibility and inclusivity messaging.
“Springboard Communications’ strategic and creative approach ensured that our message reached every corner of the country. They understood the heart of I Wish – inspiring girls to see themselves in STEM – and turned it into a campaign that delivered impact, coverage, and lasting connections.”
Sharon Lombard, Director, I Wish
The Outcomes
Our integrated communications campaign delivered measurable impact for I Wish across its strategic goals:
Showcase attendance targets were met in full, helping I Wish reach more students than ever before – including first-time attendees from new regions.
25.29 million total media reach amplified I Wish’s message nationwide, making STEM part of the public conversation in a critical pre-showcase window.
€1.12M in editorial value represents high-credibility media placements that built long-term brand equity with schools, parents, and potential partners.
A €0.77 CPM (cost per thousand reached) demonstrated exceptional media efficiency – outperforming industry benchmarks and maximising value from spend.
49% increase in campaign reach year-on-year shows momentum and growth, reinforcing I Wish’s position as Ireland’s leading STEM advocacy movement for young women.
The campaign helped I Wish not only grow visibility, but convert it into real-world outcomes – from attendance and engagement to strong positioning with government and corporate stakeholders.
Ongoing Impact
The campaign not only exceeded KPIs but also strengthened I Wish’s year-round advocacy work, creating a strong platform for future growth, partner engagement, and continued media presence.
