The Interledger Foundation

Leading Financial Equity and Inclusion Through Radical FinTech

Interledger Foundation (ILF) works to  increase financial inclusion for the unbanked and underbanked around the globe. As a newly formed organization, ILF retained the Wakeman Agency to launch an international public relations campaign to position the organization within the FinTech space and establish thought leadership for the organization’s Executive Director.

Interledger Enters The Conversation

To effectively and swiftly establish ILF’s visibility, The Wakeman Agency developed a comprehensive communications plan focused on organizational positioning, thought leadership development, partnership development and media relations. The strategy centered ILF in the public conversation of FinTech and financial inclusion, showcasing them as an up-and-coming disruptor.

Aligning Messaging With the Mission

With increased narratives about crypto currency, Web 3.0 and financial inclusion, it was critical that the agency shaped a narrative for ILF about economic justice that reflected their unique position in the FinTech ecosystem. We developed messaging for ILF’s target audiences in finance, tech, and social impact. Doing this allowed for a greater understanding of ILF’s work, how it could revolutionize web monetization and currency exchange and how people could participate.   

Introducing New Voices in Male-Dominated Spaces

To gain credibility for ILF, the agency sought to offer insights from its Executive Director that would help elevate the visibility of the organization. The FinTech space is overwhelmingly comprised of white males. We wanted to leverage the unique perspective of ILF’s leader as a Black woman, to tap into current and emerging issues related to financial inclusion. The thought leadership strategy was effective in demonstrating ILF’s values of inclusion and radical change.  

Media Relations That Matter

Once the messaging was solidified, we began to create a steady drumbeat of media placements in publications to amplify ILF’s brand voice. Strategic placements included articles and interviews in Yahoo Finance, FinTech Magazine, The Black Wall Street Journal, Tech Economy, and others. Through our media monitoring services, we identified breaking news story angles that created opportunities for ILF’s Executive Director to comment on China’s “Digital Yuan,” public banking in the Postal Reform Act and California’s “Zero-Fee Banking” legislation, which led to an article for Treasury and Risk Magazine on Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). These media placements were pivotal to creating awareness for ILF and establishing its position as a FinTech leader, a major feat for an organization less than one year of existence.  

Influencing Partnerships, Now and In the Future

One of the priorities for ILF is to provide financial support to Black and brown individuals and organizations whose work is aligned with their mission. Wakeman ideated a program with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with the end goal of investing in student-led projects related to web monetization. The pilot-program between ILF and (HBCUs) is focused on funding Black tech student innovators. After the first round of development, the students pitch their projects to investors, including Google and venture capitalists, in hopes of future funding. In connecting ILF with HBCUs, The Wakeman Agency created an additional avenue for real-life impact of ILF’s technology while at the same time promoting Black tech leadership.

A Foundation for Growth

In less than 10 months, The Wakeman Agency developed and executed a comprehensive public relations plan that positions ILF as an impactful disruptor in FinTech and financial inclusion.  To learn more about how our media relations and thought leadership development services can amplify your organization’s mission, contact Jennifer Lynn today to schedule a consultation.

At A Glance

Goals

  • Position ILF as a global voice in financial inclusion
  • Position ED as a developing thought leader
  • Shift narrative of FinTech leadership 

Services

  • Thought Leadership Development
  • Brand Positioning
  • Media Relations
  • Strategic Partnerships
  • Messaging Architecture

Results

  • Pilot-program with HBCUs developed to increase funding to Black students for web monetization projects
  • Established ILF as key disruptor in the fintech space
  • Laid the foundation for organization ED’s thought leadership platform
  • Impactful messaging that inspires engagement
  • A growing list of placements in top media
Schedule a confidential consultation to learn how our strategic communications offerings can elevate your organization’s impact.