Winning Press Release Revived Donations To Shoes That Fit
DES MOINES, Iowa (Mar. 14, 2013) — Strategic America (SA) has won a national 2013 PR News Nonprofit PR Award for its press release promoting the donation needs and mission of the central Iowa Shoes That Fit program. PR News announced the award at its 2013 Nonprofit PR Awards luncheon on Monday at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
SA crafted the winning release, pro bono, to address a decline in funding that threatened to stunt the program’s 10-year history of providing shoes and winter clothing to Iowa children in need. With Shoes That Fit $20,000 short of its normal operating budget, SA and Mediacom, the program’s annual campaign coordinator, set out to raise awareness of the urgent need for donations of funds, shoes and winter jackets.
SA’s customized and localized release boosted awareness of the program in participating communities and bought in a wealth of donations. In two days, Shoes That Fit received 400 additional donation items and an influx of financial contributions. The support helped the program meet its 2011 goal to distribute 8,614 items to children at 55 schools while raising more than $62,000.
“I would certainly concur that the efforts of SA were key to our raising the necessary funds and increased donation of items so that we could help thousands of children here in central Iowa,” says Robert Montgomery, the program’s director and vice president of Mediacom. “They have been a great partner and a valued resource for all of us involved with the Shoes That Fit program and the recognition is well deserved.”
The PR News awards programs provide public relations professionals the opportunity to strategize, learn and network while showcasing the best communications initiatives of the year and saluting outstanding performances by individuals.
Strategic America is a West Des Moines-based integrated marketing communications firm that ranks among the 250 largest independent advertising agencies in the U.S., according to the Advertising Age 2012 Agency Report. Founded in 1980, Strategic America employs 90 communications professionals and represents more than 40 diverse national, regional and local clients, focusing on insurance/financial services, business-to-business and dealer and consumer marketing.
SA is a well-regarded member of the 4As (American Association of Advertising Agencies), the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and the Direct Marketing Association (DMA).
For more information:
Mike Schreurs, CEO
Strategic America
515.453.2000
mschreurs@strategicamerica.com
