CIDI Announces 2008 PSAid Contest Winners

    ARLINGTON, Va., April 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In this year's
 PSAid contest, students across the country helped spread the word about the
 best way to help international disaster victims -- and six student groups
 are taking home their part of $30,000 in cash for their creative efforts.
 
 
 
     The Center for International Disaster Information (CIDI) announced
 today the winners of the 2008 PSAid: Public Service Announcements for
 International Disasters contest. The competition asked student filmmakers
 and graphic designers to create broadcast and print PSAs demonstrating the
 importance of monetary donations rather than in-kind donations in response
 to international disasters.
 
 
 
     The 2008 PSAid winners are:
 
 
 
     Broadcast
 
 
 
     -- First place: "Empty" by Paul Seetachitt of Florida State University
 
 
 
     -- Second place: "In Dire Need" by Colin Levy and Roque Smith-Nonini of
 Savannah College of Art and Design
 
 
 
     -- Third place: "Cash Will" by Jonathan Shepard of University of
 Michigan
 
 
 
     Print
 
 
 
     -- First place: "Donation Facts" by Joseph Clay of Arizona State
 University
 
 
 
     -- Second place: "The Little Girl" by Giordany Orellana of University
 of Southern California
 
 
 
     -- Third place: "The Can Kick" by Tanner Woodman of Savannah College of
 Art and Design
 
 
 
     Last week, five semifinalists in each category competed for public
 votes on the PSAid.org Web site. The semifinalists were selected from the
 many entries received from students at colleges and universities
 nationwide. Final winners were chosen based on the public vote and the
 scores of an esteemed panel of judges which included John Stanmeyer of
 National Geographic Magazine and Joanna Coles of Marie Claire.
 
 
 
     "Our winners have done an excellent job of showcasing the 'Cash Is
 Best' message," said Suzanne Brooks, director of the CIDI. "The level of
 creativity and originality was fantastic and this year's addition of a
 print category brought the competition to a whole new level."
 
 
 
     The winning PSAs will be used to educate the public about appropriate
 donation response during international disasters. It is widely recognized
 that cash donations are the most efficient and effective means of response
 to international disasters, a policy supported by the CIDI's funding
 partner, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID),
 and the Center's many allies in the international disaster response
 community. Cash donations are efficient and effective compared to donated
 goods which can often be environmentally, culturally, or socially
 inappropriate for a disaster area.
 
 
 
     Winners are awarded cash prizes worth $30,000. For broadcast entrants,
 the first place winner receives a $12,000 cash prize from the CIDI and may
 have his or her PSA distributed nationally to major television networks and
 cable channels. The second and third place winners will receive $5,000 and
 $3,000 cash prizes, respectively. For print entrants, the first place
 winner will receive $6,000 cash prize from the CIDI and may have his or her
 PSA distributed nationally to newspapers and magazines. The second and
 third place winners will receive $3,000 and $1,000 cash prizes,
 respectively.
 
 
 
     The winners, and all entries, can be viewed on the contest Web site at
 www.psaid.org.
 
 
 
     About CIDI
 
 
 
     The CIDI is based in Arlington, VA, and was created in 1988. This CIDI
 activity is made possible by the generous support of the American people
 through the United States Agency for International Development. The CIDI
 provides individuals, groups, embassies and corporations with information
 and guidance in support of international disaster relief efforts. The CIDI
 helps to promote activities and donations that will do the most good for
 disaster victims around the world. Visit www.cidi.org for more information.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

SOURCE Center for International Disaster Information