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The annual East-West Shrine Game, originated in 1925, and is the longest-running college all-star football game in the country featuring some of the highest-rated NFL draft prospects. Since the inception, 62 East-West Shrine Game alumni have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and from the 2010 game, 52 are currently active on NFL rosters. At the East-West Shrine Game, NFL scouts and coaches have an opportunity to assess the future stars of the National Football League.

More than just a game, it has emerged as a showcase for up and coming NFL talent, but more importantly, the players come together for the beneficiary of the event, Shriners Hospitals for Children. As part of their experience, players and coaches visit Shriners Hospitals for Children — Tampa, where they get to spend time interacting with the kids and developing a philanthropic relationship with Shriners Hospitals for Children that will hopefully endure throughout their careers.

“We selected St. Petersburg to host the game because this community supports Shriners Hospitals for Children – Tampa and is home to our international headquarters,” said Harold Richardson, Executive Director, East-West Shrine Game, “Pinstripe Marketing was a great fit for us because they know the market, they’re very involved in the community, and they have a proven track record of working with non-profits. It’s a bonus that they’re also college football fans.”

ABOUT SHRINERS HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN
Shriners Hospitals for Children is a health care system of 22 hospitals dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing pediatric specialty care, innovative research, and outstanding teaching programs for medical professionals. Children up to age 18 with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care and receive all services in a family-centered environment, regardless of the patients’ ability to pay. Information about the game can be found online at ShrineGame.com. Follow the East-West Shine Game on Twitter (@Shrine_Game) and Facebook (Facebook.com/ShrineGame).

ABOUT PINSTRIPE MARKETING

Pinstripe Marketing, Inc. is a full-service agency specializing in promoting professional services firms including law, finance, healthcare, engineering, technology and more.  Services include marketing plan development and implementation, advertising, collateral design, event planning, media buying, web design and public relations. For details about Pinstripe, please visit pinstripemarketing.com. Follow Pinstripe on Twitter (@PinstripeMktg) and Facebook (Facebook.com/PinstripeMktg) for the latest news.

Media Contact: Tamara Whittaker
Pinstripe Marketing
twhittaker@pinstripemarketing.com

727.214.1555

 Tampa, FL – October 13, 2011 – Ad 2 Tampa Bay was named a Finalist in the Communications or PR Campaign of the Year – Low Budget (Under $10,000 / €7000) category in the 8th annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business.

 The Stevie Awards for Women in Business honor women executives, entrepreneurs, and the companies they run – worldwide.  The Stevie Awards have been hailed as the world’s premier business awards.

Nicknamed the Steviesfor the Greek word “crowned,” winners will be announced during a gala event at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York on Friday, November 11.  Nominated women executives and entrepreneurs from the U.S.A and several other countries are expected to attend.   The presentations will be broadcast live on radio in the U.S.A. by the Business TalkRadio Network.

More than 1,300 entries – a record for the competition – were submitted this year for consideration in 75 categories, including Best Executive, Best Entrepreneur, Women Helping Women, and Communications Campaign of the Year.

“On behalf of the participating centers of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, The Spring congratulates Ad 2 Tampa Bay for creating and executing a powerful and important prevention campaign,” said Brenda Rouse, Director of Communications at The Spring. “Ordinarily, teen dating violence prevention campaigns focus on advice on how to get out of an unhealthy relationship. The true success of ‘I Own Me’ is that the campaign has started an important dialogue with young women about the importance of honoring their boundaries, before abuse happens.”

Finalists were chosen by business professionals worldwide during preliminary judging. Members of the six final judging committees will select Stevie Award winners from among the Finalists during final judging.

“Women entrepreneurs and executives continue to innovate, excel, and impress,” said Michael Gallagher, president of the Stevie Awards.  “Regardless of general economic conditions, the achievements of women-owned and –run organizations around the world remain high, and are reflected in this year’s impressive body of Finalists.”

“As a young professional group under the age of 32 we are passionate and pleased to be able to provide a youthful approach to teen dating violence awareness for The Spring of Tampa Bay,” said Tamara Whittaker, immediate past president of Ad 2 Tampa Bay.

Ad 2 Tampa Bay is a finalist with the 5^th largest firm in the world, Euro RSCG Worldwide PR, New York, in the category for Communications or PR Campaign of the Year – Low Budget (Under $10,000 / €7000). Details about the Stevie Awards for Women in Business and the list of Finalists in all categories are available at www.stevieawards.com/women.

About Ad 2 Tampa Bay

Ad 2 Tampa Bay, Inc., an affiliate of the American Advertising Federation, is a non-profit organization of advertising professionals under the age of 32.  Ad 2 Tampa Bay seeks to raise the profile and prestige of the local advertising industry through education, legislation, and public service. As a eleven-time National Ad 2 Club of the Year, the organization takes pride in providing both members and the community with quality educational programs, national award-winning public service campaigns, professional interaction, member employment services, fun-filled social events and much more. For more information, please visit www.ad2tampabay.org.

 About The Stevie Awards
Stevie Awards are conferred in four programs: The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service.  Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide.  Learn more about the Stevie Awards at www.stevieawards.com.

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Michael Bileca (House R-Miami)
Keith Fitzgerald (House D-Sarasota)
Anitere Flores for Senate (R-Miami)
Janet Long (D-Seminole)
Carlos Lopez-Cantera (House R-Miami)
Darryl Rouson (House D-St. Pete)
Greg Stube (House R-Bradenton)

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the 4AAF PAC fund this year.

A BIG congratulations to the Ocala and Orlando chapters for coming in on top and winning the 2010 PAC Challenge!

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” –  Margaret Mead

It is because of the hard work, commitment and dedication of small groups of 4AAF members that we are able to contribute to legislators who will represent our members’ best interests. As always, we invite all members to please share information with us regarding candidates and issues. The American Advertising Federation, 4th District, represents YOU.

WHEREAS, the State of Florida is experiencing an unprecedented recession; and

WHEREAS, the State of Florida’s unemployment rate continues to climb and is among the highest in our nation; and

WHEREAS, attracting new jobs and new businesses to the State of Florida is essential to the future recovery and prosperity of the state and its residents; and

WHEREAS, Amendment 4 seeks to place a constitutional amendment before Florida’s voters to amend Article II, Section 7, of the Florida Constitution, (Title: REFERENDA REQUIRED FOR ADOPTION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLANS); and

WHEREAS, Amendment 4 creates a time-consuming and costly process for businesses locating or expanding in Florida; and

WHEREAS, Amendment 4 will impede efforts to grow and diversify Florida’s economy ultimately leading to a decline in activity for Florida’s advertising community; and

WHEREAS, a major economic study indicates that Amendment 4 is likely to lead to over 260,000 lost jobs in Florida; and

WHEREAS, this amendment will result in added costs to our local governments, weakened public services and heavier burdens on Florida taxpayers; and

WHEREAS, the small Pinellas county town of St. Pete Beach adopted a local version of Amendment 4 in 2006; and

WHEREAS, this local version of Amendment 4 resulted in higher taxes, fewer jobs and endless litigation at taxpayer expense; and

WHEREAS, due to sustained job loss, stifled job creation and a loss of economic vitality, Amendment 4 will cause the standard of living of all Florida residents to decline, and

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE AMERICAN ADVERTISING FEDERATION, FOURTH DISTRICT, THAT:

Section 1. The American Advertising Federation, Fourth District, hereby strongly opposes the proposed Constitutional Amendment 4, which poses a grave threat to Florida’s unique quality of life, the stability of its communities, and the prosperity of its economy.

Section 2. The American Advertising Federation, Fourth District, recommends defeat of Constitutional Amendment 4.

Section 3.  The The American Advertising Federation, Fourth District,  urges citizens to vote “NO” on Amendment 4 when it appears on the ballot and will communicate the same message to its 2,000 members across Florida.

PASSED AND ADOPTED this 25th day of October, 2010.

SIGNED:

Ric Banciella, GOVERNOR
Nairn’ B. Gillet, GOVERNOR-ELECT
Marla Lucas, TREASURER
Susan Waldeck, SECRETARY

In June and July of this year, the 4th District AAF Government Relations Committee conducted a 10-minute online survey of members via SurveyMonkey.com.

•333 respondents participated
•Drawing for a free iPad provided incentive

Purpose
Gauge current attitudes, perceptions and familiarity of government relations issues related to the advertising industry among 4th District membership in order to provide an effective and engaging legislative initiative for the 2010-2011 fiscal year.

TOP-LINE FINDINGS: general impressions about government relations:

Government relations and politics are important to our membership.

•86% indicated that they are interested in politics.
•75% believe that government relations activities plays an important role in their daily business.
•95% are registered to vote, and a full 60% say they try to always vote in all primary and general elections.
•70% have contributed to a political campaign within the past two years.

Our impression of the people we elect into office? They are popularity contest winners, who start with good intentions to serve the public good. . . but often end up just looking out for their own interests.

•“I believe most start out wanting to serve their country, then get caught up in the guck of old time politics.”
•“Well intentioned overall initially but subject to corruption – weak.”

Most important issue for our membership: JOBS AND THE ECONOMY.

TOP-LINE FINDINGS: member preferences and behaviors related to government relations

•Members use online news sources to political news coverage more than any other media channel.
•47% spend at least an hour each week engaged in some kind of political activity.
•Overwhelming majority of members ranked periodic email updates that are relevant to the ad industry as the most beneficial AAF Government Relations initiative.
•44% would like to hear a keynote address from a state legislator at a conference or program.
•40-50% of our membership have NO IMPRESSION of any key 4th district initiatives, including Florida AdPac, Rally In Tally, Lobbying or communications efforts.

For a full summary, download the pdf: 4AAF GR Survey Summary

With the Labor Day holiday behind us, campaigns across the state have shifted into high gear for the final seven-week sprint to election day on General Election Day, Tuesday November 2^nd.

Here’s a look at this week’s political and government happenings:

Sinks Bests Scott in Latest Poll – The latest CNN/Time poll released late last week shows Democrat Alex Sink leading Republican Rick Scott by 7 points — 49 to 42 percent — in the contest for Governor.  Sink posts strong leads over Scott in a number of key subgroups including independents, urban voters, moderates, those earning less than $50K, and voters in South Florida.

Who Gave It, Who Got It – This Friday at midnight marks the deadline for state candidates and committees to file their latest periodic campaign finance report.  Under Florida’s public campaign finance law, candidates must publicly disclose the source of all contributions and expenses.  Candidates for governor and those seeking cabinet posts file reports covering Sept. 4-10, while all others disclose for the Aug. 20 to Sept. 10^th timeframe.

Budget Gap Narrows – Preliminary guesstimates that Florida government’s budget shortfall for the next fiscal year could be as much as $6-billon, appear to soon be scaled down.  The Legislative Budget Commission meets on Tuesday to vote on a new financial forecast that shows red ink of only about $2.4 billion instead.

Health Care Debate – The Obama administration will try to persuade a federal judge on Tuesday to throw out the lawsuit filed by Florida together with 20 other states which seeks to deem the recent health care reform package signed into law as unconstitutional.  Oral arguments are scheduled for Tuesday at the federal courthouse in Pensacola.

Universities Want More – The Florida Board of Governors two-day meeting in Jacksonville at UNF this week (Wed. & Thurs.) will include a discussion of their annual legislative budget request.  Chancellor Frank Brogan is asking the 17-member board which oversees the State University System to ask for a 6% increase for next year.

Tallahassee – Moments ago the Florida Senate on a vote of 18-16 agreed to adjourn Sine Die, effectively ending the special session on oil drilling called previously by Gov. Crist.  Earlier the Florida House did much the same, meeting for only slightly less than an hour, before agreeing to adjourn by a vote of 67-44.  Debate in the House was previously limited by a vote to 10 minutes per side.

The Governor called the proposed four-day session hoping to get the legislature to pass a proposed constitutional amendment which, if approved by a super-majority of Florida voters this fall, would have prohibited drilling for oil in Florida’s waters.  But Republican leaders on both sides, suggesting the Governor’s call was nothing more than a political stunt, chose instead to dispense with his idea claiming more time was needed to study a wider variety of issues associated with the Deepwater-Horizon oil spill disaster in the Gulf.

“There is no silver bullet or quick fix to this problem, and anyone who tells Floridians differently simply does not respect our citizens,” House Speaker Cretul said in his opening comments. “Simple solutions designed to produce sound bites, photo-ops and political attacks will do nothing to help Floridians in need recover,” Cretul continued.

The Speaker also announced the formation of six workgroups charged with looking at greater detail at the situation and its affects, then reporting back to him by late August.  Over in the Senate, a special committee already studying Florida’s economy was scheduled to meet later today to discuss the oil spill’s fallout.

The abrupt adjournment of the House presumably altered the Senate’s original plans to spend several days in committee meetings studying the issue in greater depth.  A variety of senators were recognized for floor debate before the final vote was taken effective ending the session.

ST. PETERSBURG — In the first month of the Deepwater Horizon disaster, Gov. Charlie Crist asked BP for $25 million to pay for an advertising blitz to promote how clean Florida’s beaches are.

BP said yes, and the state spent all the money, only to see tourism drop anyway.

Two weeks ago, Crist asked BP for another $50 million. This time, the company said no.

Now Crist is talking about calling in the lawyers — and complaining about how much money the company appears to be spending on television and newspaper ads that plug BP’s efforts to cope with the oil spill.

“To say I’m disappointed would be an understatement,” the governor, looking peeved, told a roundtable of Tampa Bay area officials Tuesday gathered at SRI St. Petersburg to get an update on matters related to the spill. The state has lined up an expert legal team, he said, “and we’re ready if BP doesn’t do the right thing.”

He stopped short of using the word “lawsuit,” instead telling reporters, “We’re trying to force them to do the right thing, like they say they’re doing in their commercials.”

Ninety percent of Florida’s shoreline has seen no oil at all, Crist said. Only the beaches in the Panhandle have been hit by tar balls, tar mats and other thick oil goop. Yet the whole state has been tarred by the perception that the beaches are tainted, he said, hurting Florida’s $65 million tourism industry.

That first $25 million BP sent “went quickly,” Crist said, but the need to entice tourists to come back continues as the oil keeps spewing from a mile beneath the Gulf of Mexico.

In his letter to Crist, Douglas J. Suttles, chief operating officer of BP, wrote that since most of Florida’s beaches are clean, “we are exploring other options on how to promote tourism on a more local level to benefit those most directly impacted.” For example, he cited the company’s support for a Jimmy Buffett concert in Gulf Shores, Ala.

Crist compared the long-running spill to both a natural disaster and a Bill Murray movie, calling it “a hurricane that comes ashore every day. It’s like Groundhog Day. It’s day after day after day.”

Yet instead of approving more money for Florida to run ads about its beaches, Crist said, the company is running ads touting its own cleanup and claims efforts.

“It’s abundantly clear to me that we need that money to share the story about what’s going on on Florida’s beaches, and what needs to be shared is that most of our beaches are beautiful,” Crist said.

“The notion that they’re spending who knows how much money to put a good face on BP — how does that help us here?”

BP says it has spent $3.5 billion on cleaning up the spill. It has also set aside $20 billion in a special fund to compensate victims across the Gulf coast.

Last month, President Obama criticized BP for spending an estimated $50 million on an ad and public relations campaign to repair the company’s battered image.

BP spokeswoman Lucia Bustamente would not say how much the company has spent on its own ad campaign, which has included daily full-page ads in the St. Petersburg Times and other newspapers as well as commercials on CNN and other national channels.

“We don’t disclose that,” she said.

Craig Pittman can be contacted at craig@sptimes.com.