Courageous Persuaders Video Competition Awards Celebration Tickets Available

TROY, Mich., May 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA) Education Foundation announced today that tickets are still available for the 2013 Courageous Persuaders Video Competition Awards Celebration which will be held on Wednesday, May 15, 2013. Scott LaRiche, DADA president, made the announcement. LaRiche also announced the venue for the Celebration: the Troy Marriott Hotel in Troy, Mich.

Tickets for the event, which is open to the public, are $25 for adults and $20 for 18 and under, purchased at the door. Noted Fox2 Detroit television personality Huel Perkins will serve as the Co-Master of Ceremonies, along with LaRiche. A number of Michigan notables and business executives will also be making award presentations, including Secretary of State Ruth Johnson.

"This awards program is both a celebration and a wakeup call," said LaRiche. "We celebrate the achievements of some very creative young people, but we are reminded, through their work, of the real tragedy that can result from underage drinking. Let's take these lessons to heart for the sake of our future generations."

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 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, staffed by Deputies from the Michigan Sheriff's Association. The driving simulator will give participants the experience of driving drunk, an experience that will make them realize the real dangers involved in such activities.

In 2007, the DADA became the primary sponsor and administrator of the Courageous Persuaders program through its DADA Education Foundation. The program was created in 2000 by Oakland County District Judge Michael A. Martone and John Barczyk, a local retired McCann-Erickson advertising executive.  This year, the competition drew 547 video submissions (1,107 student participants from 240 high schools) from 38 states, along with Canadian province of British Columbia. 39 middle school classrooms volunteered to view the commercials.

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
• State Farm Fan Favorite Award: $2,500 - cash prize to the school with the most "likes" on the Courageous Persuaders YouTube Channel
• 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
• Michelin Award: $2,000
• 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 2012 winning commercials or for information about the competition, visit the Web site at 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 dada.org. To find out more about the NAIAS, visit naias.com.

SOURCE DADA Education Foundation