Tobacco-Free Kids Honored With Association For Women In Communication 1998 Clarion Award

Washington, DC - The Association for Women in Communications (AWC) recently selected the CAMPAIGN FOR TOBACCO-FREE KIDS as a 1998 Clarion Award Winner for its ongoing public affairs campaign, 'Changing the Tobacco Environment in America.' The CAMPAIGN's public affairs program was designed to raise awareness of the magnitude of youth tobacco use, increase public concern over the epidemic and expand the level of tobacco control activism throughout the United States. Much of the communications activities focused on pushing towards comprehensive national tobacco control legislation. The CAMPAIGN, along with its Washington, DC-based agency, Cholopak Leonard Schechter & Associates, implemented a strategic communications plan that resulted in greater public concern over tobacco and continues to raise awareness for the need for action to protect kids from tobacco's deadly allure. 'This campaign demonstrates the need to protect kids from tobacco,' said Bill Novelli, CAMPAIGN president. 'Public support for legislation that protects kids from tobacco has never been higher.' Novelli, a pioneer in social marketing, is the co-founder and former president of Porter/Novelli, the 4th largest public relations agency in the United States. The Clarion Awards symbolize excellence in clear, concise communications. Winners represent media companies of all sizes, corporations, small businesses and nonprofit associations. Judges base their selections on substance, style, originality and achievement of objective. A single winner is chosen for each category. The winners will accept their awards tonight at the AWC's annual professional conference in Philadelphia. The award-winning communications campaign was designed by the CAMPAIGN in conjunction with an account team at Chlopak, Leonard, Schecter & Associates, headed by President Robert Chlopak. CAMPAIGN Communications Director Kathryn Kahler Vose directed the campaign activities, and additional key staff included CAMPAIGN Media Relations Manager Jennifer Thorp. Other recent CAMPAIGN awards include the American Medical Association's Crystal Medallion Award for Best Consumer Campaign for 'Kick Butts Day 1997.' The Washington, DC-based CAMPAIGN FOR TOBACCO-FREE KIDS is the largest initiative ever undertaken to decrease youth tobacco use in the United States. Its mandate is to focus the nation's attention and action on keeping tobacco marketing from seducing children and making tobacco less accessible to kids. The CAMPAIGN was founded in September, 1995. For more information on the CAMPAIGN and its activities and initiatives, please visit our web site at $1$2www.tobaccofreekids.org$3$4.