Public Relations Society of America's National Capital Chapter Recognizes Stand Up for Veterans Campaign on Behalf of Disabled American Veterans
WASHINGTON, DC (October 5, 2009) Hyde Park Communications announced today that National Capital Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America awarded it the prestigious Thoth Award in the Public Affairs and Issues Management category for the Stand Up for Veterans campaign, a project of the Disabled American Veterans. The campaign highlighted the need for legislative solutions to improve the quality of health care screening and treatment received by our nation's veterans. The award honored the campaign for excellence in research, planning, execution and evaluation of a communications program.
"It is an honor to be recognized for a well-executed public affairs campaign," said Michael Waxman, vice president of Hyde Park Communications, "but the real winners are the veterans who will benefit from the new legislation and improved care at Department of Veterans Affairs facilities nationwide."
The campaign's media placements in the New York Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, Seattle Times and other major news outlets raised awareness of veterans' unmet health care needs, garnered 143 million media impressions and influenced legislators to introduce and pass legislation. Advocacy-oriented Web sites, robust social networking activities and grassroots outreach engaged DAV members in congressional outreach and reinforced DAV's standing as a leading veterans advocate.
Campaign successes include the passage of legislation to reform the VA's health care budgeting process and movement on legislation to improve care for women veterans, advance screening and treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries and increase support for family caregivers. A full summary of the Stand Up for Veterans campaign is available here: http://www.hydeparkcomm.com/case-studies/disabled-american-veterans/.
"The commitment, creativity and effectiveness Hyde Park delivered to the Disabled American Veterans in advancing our critical issues were exceptional," said DAV National Legislative Director Joseph Violante. "The firm helped frame the debate for our key legislative priorities and generated significant attention, traction and grassroots support."
The Thoth Awards, named for the Egyptian god of communication, are awarded annually by the Public Relations Society of America's National Capital Chapter (PRSA-NCC). In 2005, Hyde Park Communications won a Thoth Award in the public service announcement category for "Morgan Freeman Encourages Men to Visit the Doctor" on behalf of the Kellogg Foundation's Community Voices program.