DuPont was recently recognized as among the world’s leaders in Public Relations
PR Week, one of the leading publications within the communications industry, selected DuPont as one of five finalists in its “Global PR Campaign of the Year” category for developing and launching the company’s leading-edge thought leadership initiative, the Global Food Security Index.
DuPont competed with General Electric, United Nations Foundation, FedEx and Starbucks as the finalists in the category. DuPont was named first runner-up for Global PR Campaign of the Year as Starbucks was awarded the top spot at PR Week’s recent event in New York. Steve Betz, Doyle Karr and Anthony Farina represented DuPont at the event.
“In the PR industry, PR Week’s highly regarded recognition in this category is equivalent to receiving an Oscar nomination for Best Film of the Year,” said Farina, director of corporate communications, public affairs, engagement and reputation management. “This unprecedented recognition for DuPont reflects directly on the incredible team and collaboration which involved several businesses, functions and regions in bringing a great idea to life.”
Farina continued, “The global team demonstrated a great deal of courage, creativity and leadership in developing and launching the PR program, pushing us well beyond our traditional comfort zone. In the end, the Global Food Security Index is aligned with the business objectives and strengthens DuPont’s reputation as a significant thought leader in addressing the challenges of feeding the world’s growing population.”
ab+c takes home ADDYs
Aloysius Butler and Clark, ab+c, Wilmington, a full-service marketing communications firm, took home gold and silver at the 2013 ADDY Awards in Philadelphia. The agency won gold in the public service “non-traditional advertising” category for its My7Minutes unicorn t-shirt. My7Minutes is a youth tobacco prevention campaign conducted for the Delaware Department of Public Health. In the category “fractional page newspaper advertising in color,” the agency hoisted a silver ADDY for its MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital Gilligan colonoscopy print ad.
“The ADDYs feature some robust competitors,” said John Hawkins, CEO of ab+c. “In both cases, our creative team did a fantastic job of conceptualizing an idea to capture the attention of the target audience. They really brought the clients’ requests to life.”
Given that a cigarette takes approximately seven minutes to smoke, Delaware middle and high school students can submit a picture or video of how they spend that time tobacco-free. Entrants receive a My7Minutes t-shirt.
The Gilligan colonoscopy ad is featured in print publications throughout Good Samaritan Hospital’s Baltimore footprint. Colorectal cancer is the second-leading killer in the United States, yet the disease is extremely preventable with regular screenings.
Highmark wins national honor
Highmark, parent of Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware received national recognition for its work in reducing health care disparities among its employees and with its client groups.
Highmark was the only Blue Cross and Blue Shield plan in the country, and one of three national employers to be honored at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. by the National Business Group on Health, a nonprofit association of more than 360 large, U.S. employers with its third annual “Innovation in Reducing Health Care Disparities” award. Highmark Inc. In addition to its work with members and providers, Highmark’s employees receive ongoing diversity and inclusion training. The company provides its employees with an online database of cultural information to increase the capacity and skills needed to address the health care needs of all individuals Highmark serves.
According to the National Business Group on Health, more and more companies understand how important it is that their health care benefit programs meet the needs of a culturally diverse workforce, and Highmark recognizes that by addressing health care disparities and improving the value, quality and effectiveness of the health care services provided.
Direct data collection from Highmark members and employees who provide information voluntarily has helped the company make an impact on reducing health disparities. In addition, employee representatives from various business areas within the company serve on an advisory committee that oversees efforts dedicated to enhancing health literacy and providing culturally and linguistically appropriate services (CLAS) for members.
