For their “In the Pink” television advertising series promoting breast cancer awareness and the importance of early detection and getting regular mammograms, three local organizations working cooperatively, Cary Medical Center, Daigle Oil Company and WAGM TV, were the recipients of a 2014 Gold Aster Award.
The Aster Awards, one of the largest national competitions of its kind, is hosted by Marketing Healthcare Today Magazine and Creative Images, Inc. This elite program recognizes outstanding healthcare professionals for excellence in their advertising/marketing efforts for the calendar year 2014.
The “In the Pink” Campaign was created by WAGM TV and Daigle Oil Company (DOC) in October of 2011 during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, roughly a year after DOC announced its company-wide support of breast cancer awareness. In January of 2014, WAGM and DOC welcomed Cary Medical Center on board and the team collectively has been creating and producing a series of heartfelt public service announcements that share the same message: mammograms saves lives.
“In the Pink has been such a rewarding project, for not only are we sending a very valuable message about breast cancer prevention and involvement into the communities we serve, but we are also hearing first-hand how our message has inspired a survivor or supporter,” said Sonya Dechene LeBouef of Daigle Oil Company.
Hearing such feedback over the phone or in person, often at the grocery store, reaffirms our efforts and commitment to this awesome cause. While working on this campaign, we’ve been fortunate to meet some very strong and inspirational survivors who remind us that breast cancer is real and prevalent right here in the County. The spirit of these survivors is our inspiration to produce touching and inspirational messages that we hope will continue to make an impact,” she added.
“WAGM is extremely excited with this Public Service Announcement campaign,” said Bernie Lagasse, WAGM sales representative. “I am particularly proud to be part of a great team, (Daigle Oil Company, Cary Medical Center and the great creative staff at WAGM.) Each production is well thought out and each team member has input. With that, I think a powerful message hits the airwaves, and a buzz is created for breast cancer awareness and the importance of having a mammogram.
If this PSA Campaign makes a difference with just one of our viewers, that’s what is important. I think it’s one of the best PSA campaigns out there and I hope it continues for a long time,” he added.
Fifteen “In the Pink” public service advertisements have been created since October of 2011, which are aired throughout the year on WAGM TV.
“Our hospital vision of creating a healthier community is so important to us,” commented Tamra Kilcollins, community relations coordinator at Cary Medical Center, “and it has been a wonderful partnership working with DOC and WAGM in promoting breast cancer awareness. About one in eight women will develop invasive breast cancer during her lifetime. But with early detection through screening, increased awareness and advances in breast cancer treatment, we are working together to fight the battle against this disease.”
The 2015 Aster Awards received nearly 3,000 entries from across the United States as well as several foreign countries. All entries are judged by industry experts and are scored on multiple criteria with a possibility of 100 total points. Participant entries competed against similar-sized organizations in their specific groups and categories.
Awards were issued for entries that received top marks from judges placing them in the top 16 percent of the nation for advertising excellence. Judging criteria included creativity, layout and design, functionality, message effectiveness, production quality and overall appeal.
“The creativity of this year’s participating healthcare marketing professionals exceeded our expectations. The 2015 Aster Awards program contained some of the best and most creative advertising in the world,” said Melinda Lucas, Aster Awards program coordinator.
All winners are posted on the Aster Awards website, www.AsterAwards.com as well as published in Marketing Healthcare Today, a national healthcare marketing magazine.
