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Published by SCoRe at June 27, 2025

How SBI Life’s “Hug of Life” Reimagined Preventive Healthcare Through PR

What Sparked the Need for a New Health Communication Strategy?

India has seen a gradual improvement in breast cancer awareness. However, according to healthcare experts, early detection rates remain worryingly low—especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Many women know about breast cancer but remain uncertain about how or when to perform a self-examination.

Moreover, discussions around breast health are still uncomfortable or considered taboo in several parts of the country. This means that health communication needs to go beyond awareness and focus on accessible behaviour change.

SBI Life Insurance, already recognised for its “Thanks A Dot” campaign, understood this gap. Therefore, it introduced “Hug of Life” in 2025—a campaign that embedded a life-saving message into a deeply familiar, comforting product.

This was not just another CSR initiative. It was a fresh model for health communication that combined design, empathy, and grassroots reach.

Why Was the “Hug of Life” Design So Effective?

The centerpiece of the campaign was a menstrual hot water bottle—a product that millions of Indian women use for period pain. But this was no ordinary bottle. It featured tactile, temperature-safe raised dots that guided users through a simple five-step breast self-examination process.

Additionally, the bottle included a QR code that led to multilingual video demonstrations, helpline contacts, and a digital calendar for monthly reminders.

What made this approach stand out was its seamless integration of comfort and care. Rather than introducing a new behaviour from scratch, it piggybacked on an existing monthly ritual. Hence, the design didn’t just inform—it gently nudged women to act.

This clever use of familiar design made “Hug of Life” an exemplary case of tactile health communication at its best.

How Did the Brand Ensure Large-Scale Execution?

Behind this seemingly simple campaign was months of strategic planning.

From January to February 2025, SBI Life collaborated with healthcare NGOs to finalise the product prototype. By March—coinciding with International Women’s Day—the campaign was launched across digital platforms, print media, and CSR forums.

In the following weeks, more than 50,000 hot water bottles were distributed via:

SBI branches
Rural and urban health NGOs
Community drives
Insurance partner hospitals
Women’s self-help groups

This ensured that the campaign didn’t remain confined to cities. Instead, it reached areas where digital-only efforts often fail. Therefore, the campaign succeeded in making health communication both tangible and scalable.

What Was the Core Message Behind this Health Communication Campaign?

SBI Life’s communication team was deliberate in avoiding fear-based messaging. Instead, they chose a message that was warm, empowering, and rooted in empathy:
“The hug that eases your pain can also save your life.”

This positioned SBI Life not merely as a provider of insurance but as an enabler of wellness and proactive health.

The campaign also reinforced that health communication doesn’t have to feel medical or intimidating. Instead, it can be compassionate, everyday, and action-oriented.

Which PR Channels Carried this Health Communication Campaign Forward?

SBI Life activated the campaign across multiple layers of communication—both digital and offline.

Physical Activation

The bottles came in eco-friendly packaging with SBI Life branding.
Each package contained educational leaflets on breast self-exam techniques.

Digital Layer

A QR code on every bottle gave users access to a how-to video in multiple Indian languages.
Users could subscribe to monthly SMS reminders for self-checks.
Direct links to local gynecologists and helplines were embedded.

Partnerships

Health workers, ASHA networkers, and women’s NGOs helped ensure cultural sensitivity.
SBI staff were trained to explain the product during customer interactions.

Media and Influencer Support

Influencers, doctors, and women’s rights advocates shared real-time experiences with the product.
Major platforms like LiveMint, Campaign India, and The Hindu ran feature stories.

All these channels contributed to a coherent and layered health communication campaign.

What Real-World Impact Did the Campaign Make?

The campaign had measurable results, both quantitatively and qualitatively.

Distribution and Reach

50,000+ units were delivered within six weeks.
Semi-urban and rural regions saw particularly high interest and participation.

Digital Engagement

The explainer video surpassed 3 million organic views in its first month.
The campaign’s hashtag trended on International Women’s Day 2025.

Brand Trust and Awareness

Surveys indicated a positive shift in SBI Life’s brand perception, especially among women in their 20s and 30s.

Health Outcomes

NGOs reported a spike in queries related to breast health.
Some women reportedly identified early signs of abnormalities they might have ignored otherwise.

Therefore, “Hug of Life” succeeded in not just delivering a message but also encouraging life-saving action.

What Key Lessons Does This Offer PR Professionals?

The campaign offers a masterclass in modern health communication.

Key Takeaways Include:

Form matters: A familiar object can carry a transformative message.
Behaviour change needs rituals: Aligning health checks with monthly routines ensures consistency.
Empathy wins over fear: Gentle, relatable messaging drives better engagement than warnings.
Offline still works: Digital may dominate headlines, but physical PR tools can outperform in accessibility.
CSR must deliver value: Rather than symbolic gestures, brands should invest in actionable public welfare.

According to PR strategist Meeta Malhotra,

“Hug of Life proves that the future of healthcare communication lies not just in awareness, but in embedded behaviour change—done with empathy and elegance.”

Were There Any Challenges or Misinterpretations?

Even the most thoughtful campaign faces potential roadblocks.

Cultural Sensitivity
The use of tactile breast guides on menstrual products was initially met with hesitation in conservative communities. Hence, SBI Life worked closely with NGOs and frontline health workers to educate and reassure recipients.

Understanding the Product
Some users were unsure how to use the tactile markers without guidance. Therefore, the role of trained SBI staff and local health partners was critical.

By anticipating these challenges and preparing proactive responses, the campaign maintained its positive momentum across geographies.

Why Is This Campaign Being Taught in PR Classrooms Today?

Few campaigns manage to blend emotional resonance with practical utility so effectively.

“Hug of Life” is now part of course modules in health communication and CSR strategy. Universities and PR schools use it to demonstrate how physical objects can become vehicles for long-term behavioural change.

Furthermore, it’s seen as a model for health communication that is culturally aware, inclusive, and low-tech—yet highly impactful.

It also redefines how brands can build trust through action, not just promises.

Want to Learn How to Design Campaigns That Heal and Inspire?
Looking to create campaigns that not only communicate but also transform daily behaviour?
Explore our PGDM in Public Relations and Corporate Communications at the School of Communication & Reputation (SCoRe)—where future PR leaders learn to build campaigns that change lives as well as minds.

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Hug of Life: A Tactile Breakthrough in Health Communication