Raffetto Herman Strategic, Washington, District of Columbia: Intel CHIPS Act Campaign: Increasing Awareness on U.S. Semiconductor Manufacturing to Pass the CHIPS Act

Written answers to the questions

January 2022

Total 248 words used.

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a widespread shortage of semiconductors, one of the most essential and influential technologies needed to power the world. Intel is the only American advanced semiconductor manufacturer left in the U.S. Intel turned to RH Strategic (RH) to establish itself as a leader in semiconductor manufacturing capacity the U.S. needs to strengthen its global economic leadership, increase and promote technological innovation, and make our nation more secure.

RH researched chip manufacturing worldwide, the industry’s current role in advancing U.S. chip manufacturing incentives, and relevant policy/legislative efforts. This included examining legislative texts, statements from Congress, technology companies, trade associations, and third-party influencers. RH also researched the 

investments made by foreign governments to support their own semiconductor manufacturing initiatives. RH developed summaries of policy provisions, and provided daily media analysis of articles, bylines, and op-eds. Ultimately, the team developed a campaign to advocate for the U.S. government to pass the bi-partisan CHIPS and Science Act, funding an incentives program to encourage semiconductor manufacturers to build capacity in the U.S. and to help restore balance in global chipmaking ecosystem.

At the beginning of 2022, Congress continued to stall on movement toward passing the CHIPS Act. Through messaging, media outreach, content development and events, RH partnered with the Intel Global Government Affairs team to execute a CHIPS Act campaign to increase awareness across media and policymakers that the U.S. needed to pass the CHIPS Act before we fell behind in semiconductor manufacturing. 

Total 245 words used.

RH developed a strategic communication campaign for 2022 with the goal of advocating for the passage of the CHIPS Act to secure incentives to support domestic semiconductor manufacturing through federal policy initiatives before Congressional Recess.

Objectives included: 

1. Educate D.C. policymakers (members of Congress, the Biden administration, state and local officials) on the decline in U.S. semiconductor manufacturing and its effect on national and economic security by engaging with policymaker’s social content for Intel executives, publishing to the Intel Policy Twitter handle weekly, and securing five media interviews in D.C. outlets during H1 2022.
2. Raise awareness among policymakers of the critical need for federal investment in the U.S. semiconductor manufacturing industry by drafting messages for Intel’s government affairs team, placing one byline in a tech policy outlet, earning 10 pieces of unique coverage with key messages, and issuing two statements for the public during H1 2022.
3. Position Intel as a leader in U.S. semiconductor manufacturing among policymakers and the tech industry by managing one event, one major announcement, 130 social posts, and five blog posts during H1 2022.

RH leveraged Intel’s announced investments to grow its manufacturing capacity, including expansion in Arizona and New Mexico to add advanced packaging capabilities, and a $20 billion investment for two new leading-edge chip factories in Ohio to increase engagement with media and policymakers to demonstrate Intel’s domestic investment and how the U.S. must pass the CHIPS and Science Act to further that venture.

Total 246 words used.

• Objective 1:
  • Developed, on average, five social posts per week annually on the decline in U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, calling for Congress to pass the CHIPS Act.
  • Secured 21 interviews in top D.C. outlets, including Politico, The Washington Post and The New York Times, with Intel’s VP of U.S. Government Relations Al Thompson about the critical need of incentives for domestic semiconductor manufacturing.
• Objective 2:
  • Developed and placed bylines authored by Intel’s Chief Government Affairs Officer on the need for federal investment in U.S. semiconductor manufacturing in Politico and The Hill.
  • Generated awareness of the need for federal investment in semiconductor manufacturing to policymakers and tech media through 15 pieces of unique coverage in publications like Politico, The Hill, and Axios.
  • Issued two public statements on the introduction of the America COMPETES Act in the House by Al Thompson.
• Objective 3:
  • Hosted policymakers, industry executives, academia, and media at an event in June 2022, at the National Postal Museum, attended by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, to raise awareness about federal investment in semiconductor manufacturing.
  • Supported the announcement of Intel’s Ohio manufacturing facility, featuring a press conference from President Biden that positioned Intel as a leader in domestic manufacturing.
  • Developed 500+ social posts for Intel’s corporate channels on U.S. semiconductor manufacturing thought leadership.
  • Developed eight blog posts and editorials advocating for the CHIPS Act.

Intel’s goal of passing the CHIPS act was achieved and President Biden signed it into law on August 9, 2022.

Total 47 words used.

The following supporting materials include the below and are hyperlinked here: Upload.

• Research
  • Policy audit
  • Media audit
  • Daily media monitoring flags
  • Media List
• Planning
  • Budget spreadsheet
  • Agency planning brief
  • Strategy recommendation
• Execution
  • Messaging
  • Media pitches
  • Bylines
  • Spokespeople
  • Social media content
  • Blog posts
• Evaluation
  • Metrics
  • Coverage and interviews