Goodwill Industries International Honored by The Society For New Communications Research

Goodwill® Wins 2010 Commendation of Excellence Award for Online Publishing/Blogging

ROCKVILLE, Md., Dec. 30, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Society for New Communications Research (SNCR) named Goodwill Industries International as the winner of its 2010 Excellence in New Communications Award in the online publishing/blogging category. SNCR sponsors the prestigious awards to honor individuals and organizations that are pioneering the use of social media and Internet communications technologies (ICT) in business, education, government, media, nonprofits/non-governmental organizations, and technology. SNCR presented the award to Goodwill® at the 5th Annual SNCR Research Symposium & Awards Gala held at Stanford University.

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In an effort to educate the public that Goodwill is the leading provider of job training and community-based services for people facing employment challenges of all demographic and socioeconomic backgrounds, Goodwill Industries International launched the My Story blog and podcast on www.goodwill.org. My Story delivers first-person success stories of program participants, volunteers and staff who have improved their lives through Goodwill programs and services. Contributors record their stories, which are then posted as podcasts and also transcribed into blog posts that are displayed along with photos of the contributors.

"Goodwill Industries International has expanded its social media strategy, including the My Story blog and podcast, as a means to raise awareness of our brand and educate the public about our mission of putting people to work," said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. "Our social media efforts help make the connection to a consumer audience on how shopping and donating supports community programs and services."

Since its launch in January 2010, the My Story blog has logged nearly 40,000 unique visitors. Entries are cross- posted on Facebook, Flickr, Twitter and YouTube to further extend the initiative's reach. The blog also received a 2010 APEX Award of Excellence and a 2010 IABC/DC Metro Silver Inkwell Award for social media strategy.

"We are honored to recognize Goodwill through this prestigious awards program and spotlight the employment placement services that Goodwill provides both nationally and internationally," said Paul Gillin, SNCR senior fellow and chair of SNCR's Excellence Awards committee.

Award nominations were submitted as case studies and reviewed by a panel of SNCR fellows. In addition to the top award winners in each division and category, Commendations of Merit and Commendations of Excellence were presented to nearly 30 other organizations that submitted case studies in the awards program. In its five-year history, SNCR has honored nearly 200 organizations and individuals through its awards program, and all the winning case studies will be published on http://sncr.org.

About Goodwill Industries International

Goodwill Industries International is a network of 165 community-based agencies in the United States and Canada with 14 affiliates in 13 other countries. Goodwill is one of North America's top five most valuable and recognized nonprofit brands as well as a leading social services enterprise (Source: Cone Nonprofit Power Brand 100, 2009). Goodwill operates more than 2,500 retail stores and the first and only nonprofit Internet auction site, shopgoodwill.com®. Local Goodwill agencies also build revenue and create jobs by contracting with businesses and government to provide a wide range of commercial services, including packaging and assembly, food service preparation, and document imaging and shredding. In 2009, nearly 2 million people in the United States and Canada benefited from Goodwill's career services. Goodwill channels 83 percent of its revenues directly into its programs and services. To find a Goodwill location near you, use the online locator at www.goodwill.org, or call (800) 741-0186. Twitter: @GoodwillIntl. Facebook: GoodwillIntl.

About the Society for New Communications Research

The Society for New Communications Research is a global nonprofit 501(c)(3) research and education foundation and think tank focused on the advanced study of the latest developments in new media and communications, and their effect on traditional media and business models, communications, culture and society. For more information, visit http://sncr.org.

SOURCE Goodwill Industries International