Capstrat Earns Gold SABRE for Amendment One Campaign

Work on North Carolina Health and Wellness Trust Fund also Recognized

Contact: David Chatham
919 882 1954

RALEIGH, NC - Raleigh-based strategic communications firm Capstrat took home the Gold SABRE award, one of the public relations industry's top honors, for its work on the 2004 Amendment One bond referendum.

The Amendment One challenge was a daunting one. Capstrat was tapped to develop and implement a communications campaign around North Carolina's efforts to introduce a new funding method called Self-Financing Bonds that would help improve economic development opportunities for the state. This type of funding was already in place in 48 states and North Carolina was at a disadvantage when it came to competing with nearby states for attracting new businesses and jobs. The initiative had been defeated by large margins twice before.

Capstrat undertook an aggressive communications campaign that included renaming the initiative "Amendment One," implementing media relations, advertising and grassroots outreach to drive home the message that this funding method meant more jobs and opportunities for North Carolina.

The campaign resulted in the close passage of the initiative – 51 to 49 percent.

Link: Amendment One case study

The Gold SABRE awards recognize the best programs in specific brand-building and reputation management categories, such as cause-related public relations and new product introductions or employee communications and crisis management. Gold SABRE categories are open to programs conducted on behalf of any organization, in any industry.

In addition to the Gold SABRE award, Capstrat's Tobacco. Reality. Unfiltered. (TRU) Road Trip on behalf of the North Carolina Health and Wellness Trust Fund's teen tobacco prevention campaign was also recognized as a finalist in the Marketing to Youth category. The TRU campaign won two Telly Awards earlier this year.

Link: TRU case study

"We appreciate the opportunity to represent important causes like Amendment One and the NC Health and Wellness Fund TRU campaign," said Capstrat Managing Partner Karen Albritton.

About Capstrat:
Capstrat is a strategic communications firm based in Raleigh. The company's services include marketing communications, public relations, public affairs, marketing communications and design. Capstrat was recognized in 2003 by PRWeek, the public relations industry's leading trade publication, as one of the nation's best Mid-Sized Agencies. For more information about Capstrat, visit www.capstrat.com.