PHILADELPHIA, March 16, 2012 – Brownstein Group and the American Society of Transplantation (AST) received First Place for Public Affairs/Issues Management in PR News’ Nonprofit PR Awards, a program dedicated to honoring the most talented communicators and teams in the nonprofit sector. PR News, an industry trade widely recognized as a strategic resource, honored the winners at an event in Washington, D.C., on March 15, 2012.
In 2010, AST, an organization of more than 3,000 transplant professionals dedicated to research, education, advocacy and patient care in transplantation, launched a campaign against the Arizona government’s decision to eliminate Medicaid coverage for several transplant procedures— a decision which put people at risk of death for a mere $1.4 million in savings. BG engaged in proactive media relations and lobbying efforts, designed to raise national awareness of the situation and influence the state legislature to reverse its decision.
After a barrage of press from leading national outlets such as CNN, Bloomberg, ABC News, the New York Times and MSNBC that drew highly unfavorable attention to the Arizona government, the decision was reversed, and coverage was reinstated, in early 2011.
“Our biggest challenge was coordinating several voices under one coherent and powerful message in an extremely short time frame,” said Erin Allsman, Vice President, Public Relations and Social Media Director at Brownstein Group. “We did it mostly through perseverance and a shared determination to make an impact. We knew lives were at stake, and all felt very strongly this was the right thing to do.”
The campaign was previously awarded First Place – Public Affairs at the 2011 Pepperpot Awards, hosted by the Philadelphia Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.
“We continue to demonstrate excellence in our public relations expertise, and I’m proud and honored to bring this prestigious award home to Brownstein Group,” said Marc Brownstein, President and CEO of Brownstein Group. “It's one thing to be recognized on a local and regional level. It’s quite another to be recognized nationally.”
About Brownstein Group
Brownstein Group is a brand communication firm located in Center City Philadelphia. Founded in 1964 as Brownstein Advertising, Brownstein Group has since evolved into a network of integrated communication specialties encompassing brand strategy, advertising and design, public relations and social media, and interactive. A member of the 4As, the Public Relations Society of America and Philly Ad Club, Brownstein Group provides services to local, national and international clients such as IKEA, Comcast, Berkadia Commercial Mortgage, SUPERPRETZEL, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia International Auto Show, Bancroft, Campus Apartments and The Graham Company. For additional information, connect with Brownstein Group on Twitter @Brownstein_Grp or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/brownsteingroup, or visit www.brownsteingroup.com.