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2014 Men of the Year Honoree: Neil Frost

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Marketing veteran Neil Frost was in the right place at the right time for rebranding efforts by both Mercy and CoxHealth in the southwest Missouri market.

At the tail end of a seven-year stint at Mercy, Frost helped the St. Louis-based institution transition from the longtime St. John’s name. More recently, he worked as marketing and research director for CoxHealth in Branson, when it was rebranded from Skaggs Regional Medical Center in a post-acquisition move.

“His enthusiasm for creating engaging and memorable marketing campaigns was contagious and helped lead us through our branding/name transition,” says William Hennessey III, Mercy’s regional vice president for marketing and communication. “A gifted presenter, Neil has a unique way to sell his ideas and carry them out.”

With that industry acumen, Frost is now transitioning his own role into a business development position for Lakeland Behavioral Health System.

In providing psychiatric services for children, adolescents and senior adults in Missouri and Arkansas, Frost manages Lakeland’s customer service, marketing and public relations efforts and develops action plans for business growth. He also oversees care support specialists throughout the region.

As a thought leader for his employers, Frost is cognizant that good ideas can come from anywhere.

“Some of the best ideas come from the bottom up through an organization. I strive to be a good listener and promote confidence and empowerment in those who report to me,” Frost says, pointing to five entry-level marketing employees he hired and trained who have since advanced into marketing manager roles of their own.

With a marketing degree from Missouri State University, Frost has worked in multiple account executive positions for Noble & Associates Inc. During a 15-year stint ending in 2004, he handled such accounts as Tyson Foods, Schwan’s Food Service, J.M. Smucker Co. and Tamko Roofing Products.

While at Mercy, he planned and executed communications programs for some 600 physicians and 2,200 co-workers in multispecialty medical groups throughout Mercy Clinic’s three-state footprint.

During his tenure directing Mercy Clinic’s marketing, Hennessey says awareness rose to 96 percent from 69 percent, based on local market research, and the clinic found a home in the Top 10 spot in national rankings by Press Ganey Associates Inc., which measures patient satisfaction and health care organizational improvements.

“During my tenure, there were several quarters where Mercy was ranked the top clinic in the nation for patient satisfaction,” Frost says. “This means Mercy was not only meeting the health care needs of patients, but (also covering) all areas of patient interaction.”

Frost’s name has been on a few Addy awards by the American Advertising Federation of the Ozarks, including developing an invitation for the Skaggs Bash and the program for the annual Skaggs trustees dinner.

In the community, he has served on the public relations and centennial celebration committees for Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, the planning committee for the Alzheimer’s Association annual walk and as the local leader for The Jason Foundation Inc., which works to prevent youth suicide through education.[[In-content Ad]]

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