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By Internet Marketing Experts
Students walk away with over $21,000 in scholarships and awards
TROY, MI, May 21, 2012 – The Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA) hosted the annual Courageous Persuaders Awards Celebration, at which high school students who took a stand against underage drinking won $21,250 in scholarships and awards. The event, which took place on Tuesday, May 15 at the Auburn Hills Marriott Centerpoint in Auburn Hills, Mich. was hosted by renowned Detroit television personality Huel Perkins, anchor at WJBK FOX2.
The DADA is the primary sponsor and administrator of the Courageous Persuaders program, which is facilitated through the DADA Education Foundation. “In my second year of participation in this event, I continue to be amazed and inspired by these talented young people,” said Bob Shuman, DADA President. “They are certainly making a difference with this program, and it’s clear that they will continue to make a difference as they continue through life.”
The competition, now in its 12th year, encourages high school students to create 30-second television commercials warning middle school students about the dangers of drinking alcohol. The contest drew 1,026 participants who submitted 627 video entries, which included thousands of students from schools throughout the U.S. and beyond.
Two new awards were added this year, the Michelin Award, sponsored by Michelin, and the State Farm Fan Favorite Award from State Farm, selected by Courageous Persuaders fans from the Courageous Persuaders YouTube site. The winner was selected from among the 60 finalists, and the prize is awarded to the school where the video originated. The videos were viewed over 100,000 times.
Student scholarships and award winners:
- Grand Prize, $3,000 – “Chloe and Kole’s Car Adventure” by Chelsea and Camryn Washington, Washington Home School, Southfield, Mich.
- First Place, $1,500 – “New Product Infomercial – NO” by Grant Ogden, Eisenhower High School, Shelby Township, Mich.
- Second Place, $1,000 – “Real Fun” by Robert Marrocco, Eisenhower High School, Shelby Township, Mich.
- Third Place, $500 – “is it Really Worth It” by Tess Tuckerman, Lenawee ISD TECH Center, Adrian, Mich.
In addition, special sponsored awards were presented to the following:
- Lindsey Renee Cianciolo Family Memorial Scholarship $3,000 – two $1,500 Michigan based scholarship winners: “Be Very Afraid” by Adam Atallah, Adam Bialeki, Utica Center for Science and Industry, Sterling Heights, Mich., and “You Choose Your Future” by Anna Dodd, Nicole Trudeau, Jake Tholen, Casey Haggerty, Howell High School, Howell, Mich.
- DADA Award, $2,000 – contributed by the Detroit Auto Dealers Association: “Stay Alive” by Marissa Hastings, Forest Hills Eastern High School, Ada, Mich.
- Michelin Award, $2,000 – “Some Things Can’t Be Changed” by Blake Grigsby, Neuqua Valley High School, Naperville, Ill.
- Adcraft Club of Detroit Award, $2,000 – presented to the commercial that conveyed factual information about the dangers of alcohol use in the most persuasive and creative manner: “There Are No Second Chances” by Daniel Cooper, West Bloomfield High School, West Bloomfield, Mich.
- State Farm Award, $1,000 – chosen based on the commercial’s effectiveness on the dangers and consequences of underage drinking and automobile usage: “Numbers” by Ashley Bartreau, Lake Orion High School, Lake Orion, Mich.
- College for Creative Studies Award, a $250 Award and a portfolio or reel review – “Hands” by Nikita Mungarwadi, Clarenceville High School, Livonia, Mich.
- Wall Street Journal Award, $2,000 – chosen by the Wall Street Journal staff from among the most persuasive commercials, as judged by middle school students: “Regret” by Dylan Malburg, Forest Hills Northern High School, Grand Rapids, Mich.
- Wall Street Journal Courageous Leader Award – presented to a special teacher for his or her extraordinary contribution to the Courageous Persuaders program: John Bain of Union City High School, Union City, Mich.
- State Farm Fan Favorite Award, $2,500 to the winning school – “Regret” from Forest Hills Northern High School, Grand Rapids, Mich.
The Courageous Persuaders program was created in 2000 by retired Oakland County District Judge Michael A. Martone and John Barczyk, a local McCann-Erickson advertising executive (retired). In 2007, the DADA became the primary sponsor and administrator of the Courageous Persuaders program through its DADA Education Foundation. This year’s entries continued to be strong, drawing from 41 states, Armed Forces Africa, Armed Forces Pacific and two Canadian Provinces, demonstrating the continued interest in the program.
In addition to the scholarship, the grand prize-winning student receives the opportunity to participate in a professional editing session to make the video broadcast ready. The commercial will be broadcast on the Courageous Persuaders Web site, on television, and will be televised in branches of the Michigan Secretary of State’s Office. For information, and to view the winning videos, go to http://www.courageouspersuaders.com .
About the DADA Education Foundation
The mission of the DADA Education Foundation is to promote excellence in education through quality programs and leadership.
About Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA)
The DADA was founded in 1907 by 17 local car dealers, and has grown to more than 220 member car and truck dealers who donate their time and resources to a host of community activities. Currently, the DADA members collectively employ more than 16,500 people. Many members participate in the NAIAS, LLC, which is responsible for the production of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). To find out more about Detroit Auto Dealers Association, visit www.dada.org. To find out more about the NAIAS, visit www.naias.com.
Contact: Sandy Herp, Tel: (248) 283-5138, sherp@dada.org
Source: The Detroit Auto Dealers Association
Distributed by: Smartfinds Internet Marketing
By Internet Marketing Experts
Free Webinar will present proactive approaches to managing Customer Ratings and Reviews
May 7, 2012 (Birmingham, MI/Houston, TX): Melih Oztalay, CEO of Smartfinds Internet Marketing (http://www.smartfindsgeographicmarketing.com) and Paul Segreto, CEO of franchisEssentials (http://www.FMDpro.com), will present a webinar discussing Customer Ratings and Review Management for businesses. Interested parties can register at https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/875579678 for the May 22, 2012 one hour free webinar.
6 in 10 consumers make their buying decisions based on the experiences from your customers who have posted their ratings about your business and their reviews about the experience they have with your staff, products and services.
In addition search engines are and will be basing their decision to rank a local business listing or website based on the star ratings, which are quantitative and make for a easy mathematical equation.
How does a business manage this very overwhelming problem when there are over 200+ websites and databases in geographic marketing for local business listings for consumers to post their ratings and reviews?
Smartfinds Internet Marketing (http://www.smartfindsgeographicmarketing.com), an Internet Marketing pioneer for more than 20 years and leader in web marketing including Geographic Web Marketing and Local Web Marketing, will present the issue and solutions by Melih Oztalay, CEO of SmartFinds Internet Marketing.
“As a web marketing agency working in an ever changing environment of web technologies and requirements, we have to find solutions that will support businesses not only in their search engine rankings, but also in their online reputation.” said Melih Oztalay, Smartfinds CEO.
franchisEssentials (http://www.FMDpro.com) CEO, Paul Segreto, and Founder at both the FranchisEssentials Media Group and FranSummit, brings unique perspective, entrepreneurial spirit and extensive industry experience to franchise management, marketing and development. For over twenty years he has exclusively served the franchise industry as consultant and coach, senior-level corporate executive, advocate, multi-unit franchisee and area developer.
“We have been experiencing growing concerns over customer ratings and reviews over the past 5 years, since they were first introduced to the internet community by franchise owners.” said Paul Segreto, franchisEssentials CEO.
The webinar event will be recorded and available for download after the event for all registrants. While we will have a focus on franchise owners, businesses in general are invited to learn more about the proactive approaches to managing customer ratings and reviews. The idea of passively waiting for customers to control your businesses online reputation is no longer an option.
You can register and learn more at https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/875579678.
About Smartfinds Internet Marketing
The most critical element of SmartFinds Internet Marketing services is the creativity and imagination to apply the technological aspects of the digital marketplace to the marketing objectives of a particular business. Initial research provides SmartFinds the ability to develop a digital strategy that can be measured every step of the way to insure business growth and revenue generation. Some of SmartFinds’ clients have included ComForcare Home Care, Delphi, Flagstar Bank, Guardian Industries, McCann Erickson, Penske Automotive Group, Soave Enterprises, Wendy’s, Ziebart and others. You can learn more about SmartFinds at http://www.smartfindsmarketing.com and their Geographic Marketing website at http://www.smartfindsgeographicmarketing.com
About franchisEssentials
Dedicated to franchise success at all levels, franchisEssentials CEO, Paul Segreto consults with founders and franchise executives of start-up and emerging franchise concepts, current franchisees experiencing difficult challenges in their daily operations, and with independent small business owners discovering franchising as a business expansion strategy or income diversification plan.
Understanding the franchise sales process from lead generation through franchise award, and the importance of forming an interdependent relationship between franchisee and franchisor, Paul has successfully developed and executed marketing and development strategies for franchisors across a variety of franchise segments. As franchise candidates and consumers have become more sophisticated and technologically advanced, Paul has embraced social technology and social media marketing, and has identified both as essential to future franchise growth at all levels.
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By Internet Marketing Experts
Courageous Persuaders program announces new venue Noted TV Personality Huel Perkins to return as MC Voting for State Farm Fan Favorite Award Voting Deadline is May 1, 2012
TROY, Mich., May 1, 2012 – The Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA) Education Foundation announced today that tickets are available for the 2012 Courageous Persuaders Video Competition Awards Celebration. Bob Shuman, DADA president, made the announcement. Shuman also announced the new venue for the Celebration, which will be held on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at the Marriott Centerpoint Hotel in Auburn Hills, Mich.
Tickets for the event, which is open to the public, are $20 for adults and $15 for 18 and under, and can be purchased via the Courageous Persuaders Web site, http://www.courageouspersuaders.com, or by calling the DADA at 248-643-0250. Noted Fox2 Detroit television personality Huel Perkins will serve as the Co-Master of Ceremonies again this year, along with Shuman. A number of Michigan notables and business executives will also be making award presentations, including Secretary of State Ruth Johnson.
“This year’s celebration promises to be the best yet,” said Shuman. “With our new venue, and tremendous support from our program sponsors and supporters, we hope to increase the visibility of this tragic problem that impacts our young people.”
Courageous Persuaders is a competition-based scholarship program that invites high school students to create a 30-second television commercial about the dangers of underage drinking. The commercials are targeted toward middle school-aged children, with the winning entries aired on television and via streaming video on http://www.courageouspersuaders.com. The Michigan Department of State, led by Secretary of State Ruth Johnson, will also show the winning commercials in select Michigan Secretary of State (SOS) branch offices.
This year, Courageous Persuaders will give away over $18,000 in scholarships and awards at the annual Academy Awards-style celebration. Additionally, State Farm, a long-time partner, will feature its driving simulator that gives participants the experience of driving drunk — an experience that will make them realize the real dangers involved in such activities. State Farm will also provide Community Gift Packs to attendees.
This is in addition to the “Fan Favorite” Award, which State Farm will present for the first time this year, along with its traditional scholarship award. State Farm officials encourage Courageous Persuaders fans to vote for their favorite video from among the 60 finalists.
To view and vote, simply go to http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEA96C8B0EF3BAED5&feature=plcp , view the video, and vote at http://www.courageouspersuaders.com. Voting ends on May 1, 2012. The $2,500 Fan Favorite Award goes to the school of the winning video.
The Courageous Persuaders program was created in 2000 by retired Oakland County District Judge Michael A. Martone and John Barczyk, a local retired McCann-Erickson advertising executive. In 2007, the DADA became the primary sponsor and administrator of the Courageous Persuaders program through its DADA Education Foundation. This year, the competition drew 627 video submissions (1,026 student participants) from 41 states, along with Puerto Rico, Armed Forces Africa, Armed Forces Pacific, and the Canadian Provinces of Ontario and Saskatchewan.
Winning entries are eligible for the following scholarship awards:
- Grand Prize: $3,000
- First Place: $1,500
- Second Place: $1,000
- Third Place: $500
Additionally, special awards are also presented by Courageous Persuaders partners:
- Lindsey Renee Cianciolo Family Memorial Scholarship: $3,000 – two $1,500 Michigan-based scholarship winners
Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA) Award; $2,000
- Adcraft Club of Detroit Award: $2,000 – presented to the commercial that conveyed factual information about the dangers of alcohol use
- Wall Street Journal Award: $2,000 – chosen among the most persuasive commercials, as judged by middle school students
- State Farm: $1,000 – awarded to a Michigan-based entry on the dangers of drinking and driving
- College for Creative Studies Award: $250 – based on the creativity of the commercial
- Wall Street Journal Courageous Leader Award – presented to a special teacher for his or her extraordinary support of the Courageous Persuaders program
Winners are selected after several rounds of judging. A panel from the DADA views the entries and identifies the top 60 finalists during the first round. Those entries are then reviewed by students at middle schools, who complete questionnaires. Results of the questionnaires determine the winners.
To view the 2011winning commercials or for information about the competition, visit the Web site at http://www.CourageousPersuaders.com, or contact Sandy Herp at 248.283.5138 or sherp@dada.org.
About the DADA Education Foundation
The mission of the DADA Education Foundation is to promote excellence in education through quality programs and leadership.
About Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA)
The DADA was founded in 1907 by 17 local car dealers, and has grown to more than 220 member car and truck dealers who donate their time and resources to a host of community activities. Currently, the DADA members collectively employ more than 16,500 people. Many members participate in the NAIAS, LLC, which is responsible for the production of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). To find out more about Detroit Auto Dealers Association, visit www.dada.org. To find out more about the NAIAS, visit www.naias.com.
Contact: Sandy Herp, Tel: (248) 283-5138, sherp@dada.org
Source: The Detroit Auto Dealers Association
Distributed by: Smartfinds Internet Marketing
