Coloradans for Real Education Reform and Novitas Communications Awarded PRSA’s 2014 Silver Anvil Award of Excellence

“Vote No on 66” Earns National Recognition for Innovation and Creativity

DENVER (June 17, 2014) — Coloradans for Real Education Reform (CRER) and Novitas Communications received a Silver Anvil Award of Excellence from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) for their work on Vote No on 66/ Coloradans for Real Education Reform campaign in the public affairs category. The Award of Excellence, which recognizes outstanding strategic public relations planning and implementation, was presented to the team during the Silver Anvil Awards Ceremony held June 12 in New York City.

Amendment 66 was a $950 million tax hike that would have increased the state income tax rate for all Coloradans.  While the “No on 66” campaign was vastly outspent by its opponents, voters in the November 2013 election rejected the proposed amendment nearly two-to-one. The Wall Street Journal noted that “the most significant election result Tuesday may have been Colorado’s overwhelming rejection of Amendment 66….”

“The Award of Excellence recognizes strategic public relations programs that are among the very best our profession produces in a given year,” said James J. Roop, APR, Fellow PRSA, 2014 Chair of the PRSA Awards and Honors Committee. “To receive a Silver Anvil Award of Excellence, programs must be of Silver Anvil caliber and represent some of the best thinking, execution and results in the public relations industry.”

The Silver Anvil Awards program has grown in scope and stature since its inception in 1946, and awards are now given in 16 categories and over 60 sub-categories. In the 60-plus-year history of the Silver Anvils, many organizations have been recognized, including solo practitioners, agencies of all sizes, large and small businesses, top corporations, nonprofits, associations and government agencies. Entries are judged on their research, planning, execution and evaluation, while also taking factors such as creativity, ethics and budget into consideration.

About Coloradans for Real Education Reform

Coloradoans for Real Education Reform is a bipartisan coalition that was developed to advocate for substantive reforms that would lead to measurable gains in student achievement, and to oppose the outsized tax increase proposed by Amendment 66.

About Novitas Communications

Denver-based Novitas Communications is a full-service public relations firm offering media relations, issue management, crisis communications, strategic marketing, and public education campaigns to clients across the globe.  Novitas helps clients craft and implement communications campaigns that influence public opinion, enhance brand recognition, and keep stakeholders informed. To learn more about Novitas Communications, visit www.novitascommunications.com.

About the Public Relations Society of America

PRSA is the largest professional organization serving the U.S. public relations community. With a mission to “advance the profession and the professional,” PRSA provides news and information, thought leadership, continuing education and networking opportunities; sets standards of professional excellence and ethical conduct; and advocates for the business value of public relations and greater diversity among public relations professionals. Based in New York, PRSA comprises 112 local Chapters; 14 Professional Interest Sections that focus on specific industries and practice areas; and the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), which is active at more than 320 colleges and universities.

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