The Problem
When the PAN Foundation merged with the Patient Advocate Foundation, they faced a communication challenge that was as sensitive as it was urgent. The organization serves patients navigating serious illnesses — people who rely on PAN’s resources at some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Any confusion about what the merger meant, or whether their benefits were still accessible, could have real consequences.
The challenge wasn’t just announcing a change. It was doing so clearly, thoughtfully, and without disrupting access to the tools and information users depend on. PAN needed a digital experience that could carry two messages at once: something is changing and everything you need is still here.
Our Approach
We structured the work into two parallel tracks, moving quickly without cutting corners.
Track one: updating the existing PAN website. We implemented a suite of branding updates to signal the merger — a logo swap, targeted color palette adjustments, and homepage revisions that elevated the merger announcement prominently. The goal was a “light-touch” visual update: enough to communicate that something meaningful had happened, without disorienting the returning users who know the site well. We also accounted for more nuanced challenges, like brand colors embedded in existing imagery, and worked with the PAN team to develop a plan for addressing those systematically.
Track two: building a dedicated merger microsite. We designed and developed a standalone microsite to serve as the central hub for everything merger-related. Built from a flexible template and customized to reflect PAN’s evolving brand decisions, the microsite gave the organization a focused space to explain the transition, house FAQs, and direct users to the resources they needed. We collaborated closely with the PAN team on content strategy — helping define page structures, identify content gaps, and recommend scalable solutions like searchable FAQ posts and dynamic content modules.
Throughout both tracks, we focused on technical sustainability: custom page templates, repurposed existing components, optimized navigation through a quick-link directory, and structured content development to support migration. Every decision was made with the long game in mind.
The Solution
What launched wasn’t just a website update — it was a thoughtful communication system designed for a moment of transition.
The updated PAN site kept users grounded while clearly signaling change. The microsite gave the merger its own dedicated space: organized, easy to navigate, and built to grow as messaging and branding continued to evolve. And behind the scenes, the CMS infrastructure we put in place gave PAN’s team the tools to keep up with a fast-moving situation without needing to call us for every update.
QA and performance checks ensured a smooth launch, so PAN could go live with confidence — not crossed fingers.
Results
This project was defined by what it required: speed, sensitivity, and the ability to hold multiple priorities at once. Cornershop delivered on all three.
- A successfully launched merger announcement that communicated change without creating confusion or interrupting access to critical patient resources
- A light-touch rebrand of the existing PAN website that signaled the merger while preserving familiar navigation and user flows
- A fully custom merger microsite built for clarity, flexibility, and long-term scalability as the transition continues to unfold
- Scalable content architecture — including searchable FAQs and dynamic content modules — that empowers PAN’s team to manage and expand the site independently
- A smooth, QA-verified launch that set PAN up for the road ahead
For an organization that exists to support patients in vulnerable moments, getting this transition right wasn’t just a web project — it was a matter of trust. Cornershop was proud to help PAN protect that trust while navigating one of the biggest changes in their history.
See more of our Web Design & Brand Update work!
See our Retainer work with PAN Foundation!
