Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Advantage Communications Receives International Recognition for Television Advertising

Television advertising for tobacco prevention and cessation raises the bar in public health communications

Advantage Communications, Inc. – a full service marketing, advertising, and public relations agency based in Little Rock, Arkansas – has received notification by The International Davey Awards that its work in public health communications will be honored by the organization.

The International Davey Awards recognizes the outstanding creative accomplishments of advertising agencies. In its sixth year, The International Davey Awards accepted international nominations and reviewed submissions by a team of creative experts. Advantage Communications, Inc.’s work for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 15% Set-A-Side Program was recognized from a pool of 4,000 entries.

Stand Off, a creative unit featuring world boxing champion Jermain Taylor, and Stamp It Out, a hip-hop unit featuring hip-hop artist Lil’ Speedie, were awarded in the categories of Healthcare (non-hospital) and Not-for-Profit respectively. Both units were thirty-second television units designed to promote the benefits of tobacco cessation and to encourage minorities to abstain from the use of tobacco products.

“This recognition speaks to the commitment of Advantage Communications, Inc. to produce quality creative that is assertive and encourages behavior change,” stated Michael Steele, President and CEO of Advantage Communications, Inc. We are honored by this recognition and will continue our pursuit of excellence for our clients.”

“The UAPB 15% Set-A-Side has a charge to create a healthier state by sharing the life-saving benefits of tobacco cessation and encouraging minority populations in our state to quit tobacco use, stated Toni McCastle, Media Liaison for the 15% Set-A-Side. “It is outstanding to learn that our message is truly pushing the needle in public health communications and helping us meet our goal.”

Advantage Communications, Inc. is an award-winning advertising agency. With a host of accolades for creative development, project management and executive leadership, Advantage Communications recently received a W3 Award for Website Design for Arkansas Adult Education.

“We appreciate advertising awards, but what really motivates our team is seeing our creative work change behavior and yield results to our clients. This Davey Award is a perfect combination of the two,” commented Steele.

To view the award winning creative referenced in this announcement and additional agency creative units, visit www.advantageci.com. For more information about Advantage Communications, Inc. please contact Olivia Dedner at 501.374.2220.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Local Advertising Agency CEO Appointed to Central Arkansas American Heart Association Board of Directors

Michael Steele accepts invitation to make Central Arkansas healthier community.

Michael Steele, President and CEO of Little Rock advertising agency, Advantage Communications, Inc. (500 Broadway, Suite 402; Little Rock), has recently been appointed to the American Heart Association Central Arkansas Board of Directors.

The American Heart Association is a national voluntary health agency whose mission statement is: "Building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke." The association's 2020 impact goal is to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 percent while reducing deaths from cardiovascular diseases and stroke by 20 percent. Since 1949, the American Heart Association has grown rapidly in size, financial resources, involvement with medical and non-medical volunteers, and influence - both nationally and internationally.

“I am honored to be appointed as a member of the Central Arkansas American Heart Association Board of Directors,” explained Steele. “Understanding the need to promote a heart-healthy community for Arkansans, I am eager to roll up my sleeves and get to work! I thank the American Heart Association for this opportunity.”

Advantage Communications, Inc. is a full-service, advertising, marketing and public relations agency located in downtown Little Rock. Established in late 2000, Advantage Communications, Inc. has serviced a variety of clients some of which include Verizon Wireless, Central Arkansas Water, Arkansas Adult Education, Stamp Out Smoking, the Department of Workforce Services, the Arkansas Department of Health HIV/STD/Hepatitis C Section, Arkansas Minority Health Commission, and more.

For more information about the American Heart Association or the Central Arkansas Board of Directors, call 501.375.9148 or visit www.americanheart.org/ar. For more information about Advantage Communications, Inc, visit www.advantageci.com or call 501.374.2220.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Advantage Communications, Inc. Wins International Award Arkansas Adult Education Website Recognized by W3

Advantage Communications, Inc., a local, full service marketing, advertising, and public relations agency, has won a 2010 W3 Award for outstanding work in the education website category for the Arkansas Adult Education website on behalf of the International Academy of Visual Arts (IAVA).

Advantage Communications, Inc. was selected for outstanding quality of work from over 3,000 entries by the top companies, best agencies, and designers worldwide. “We were once again amazed by the high standard of excellence represented throughout the entries we received this year,” said Linda Day, Executive Director of the IAVA.


The Arkansas Adult Education website, www.aalrc.org, launched in March 2010, and was designed specifically to encourage action among prospective students by utilizing motion, site and sound to speak to the needs of this audience. “Winning an international award speaks volumes about Arkansas Adult Education and where we will be in the near future, “said William “Bill” Walker, Director of Arkansas Department of Career Education. “We are proud to receive recognition for our website, and more so because of what we have provided to our students – and what they in turn can contribute to the state upon completing their education.”

“When we first began to build the Arkansas Adult Education website, I knew we had raised the bar in web development and design to target a very specific audience,” said E’van Steele, Executive Vice President of Advantage Communications, Inc. “Being selected as a W3 Winner is a tremendous achievement and represents our agency’s standard of excellence and relentless service to our clients.”

Advantage Communications, Inc. is the fastest-growing full service marketing, advertising, and public relations agencies, located in Little Rock, Arkansas. The Advantage Communications, Inc. client roster includes Fortune 500 companies, state agencies, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, health organizations and for-profit ventures. In addition to the W3 Award, Advantage Communications was recently announced as the winner of two 2010 International Davey Awards for work in the Healthcare (non-hospital) and Not-for-Profit categories.