hippo who? >>> why hippo?

Our name goes back to the inception of medicine. Way back…to ancient Greece.

As one of history’s first physicians, Hippocrates revolutionized medicine, establishing it as a unique, scientific discipline distinct from the superstitions, legends and beliefs with which illnesses were associated at the time.

He also realized that medicine was a blend of science and art. That it should demand ethical treatment of patients and uphold strict professional and human standards.

His principles led to the creation of the Hippocratic Oath, by which physicians swear even today to ethically practice their craft.

We thought that was interesting because it mirrors some of our perspectives on healthcare marketing. That it too, is a blend of science and art. That ethical and moral standards must be preserved, and that patients – and clients – should be treated with respect and courtesy.

Of course, Hippocrates is kind of a mouthful to say, so we shortened it. After a five-minute vote, hippo was born.

Okay..so what’s with the hippopotamus?

At first, we just thought it’d be cool. You know, hippo… hippopotamus. Why not?

But the more we learned about Hippopotamus amphibius, the more we liked him.

For instance, did you know the Egyptians considered the hippo to be a symbol of rejuvenation and re-birth? We feel that way about healthcare brands.

The hippo is also considered the most aggressive animal in Africa and much faster than a human. In a competitive world, we like to think aggressiveness and speed are distinct advantages.

Hippos are also versatile. They can live on land and in water. We’re versatile, too. Traditional or non-traditional. We can do both.

And they usually live in packs of up to thirty members. As an agency, so do we.

In the end, we still think he’s just, well … cool. But it’s nice to know we share many of his better qualities.