Havas PR North America Campaign Named by Global Sabres Among 50 Best Campaigns in the World

NEW YORK, Oct. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Havas PR North America (@havaspr) has been awarded a Global SABRE, which recognizes the 50 best campaigns in the world. Well known for its CSR marketing initiatives, Havas PR showcases its creative thinking through its alignment of cause, social and celebrity considerations with the Sears Holdings campaign "Heroes at Home: A Hero's Song."

Serving as an exemplary illustration of Havas PR's dedication and success within CSR, "Heroes at Home: A Hero's Song" continues to be among the agency's most winning campaigns. Additional notable distinctions and awards the campaign has received this year include a Gold SABRE and a Silver Clio, as well as a PRWeek finalist spot for Cause-Related Campaign of the Year and one for the PR News CSR Awards, in its Video Initiative category.

Havas PR utilized the power of storytelling to develop a breakthrough initiative for Sears Holdings' Heroes at Home program, which helps rebuild veteran's homes and provides holiday gift cards to active servicemen and -women. Through creation of the "Portrait of Heroes" song contest, the agency solicited stories that humanized real service members and introduced consumers to the people Sears' Heroes at Home program serves daily. These stories resulted in the creation of the hit song "Can't Say Goodbye" by former Marine and country music star Josh Gracin.

"The 'Portrait of Heroes' campaign is such a wonderful example of the way in which we marry CSR and social—for all of the brands we shepherd," said Marian Salzman, Havas PR North America. "We all take great pride, rightfully, in the emphasis we place on helping our brands do well by doing good, and we're also quite proud of our innovations in the social space. 'Portrait of Heroes' is being honored at the highest level of the industry—it's a recognition that validates our innovative approach on a campaign that was pitch-perfect from conception to execution."

Throughout the campaign, the agency helped people remember veterans when donating their money by publicizing the contest and a newly created music video featuring Gracin via traditional and social media, along with events and concerts year-round. As a result, the campaign successfully increased consumer awareness surrounding Sears' veteran-support and Heroes at Home initiative, while also helping raise more than $4 million for heroes.

To view Josh Gracin's "Can't Say Goodbye" music video, visit http://havaspr.com/us/?page_id=9931.

The Global SABRE winners were selected from among the winners of the SABRE Awards competitions in the Americas, EMEA and the Asia-Pacific region. A truly global selection includes campaigns from North America, Latin America, the U.K., Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. For more information about @havaspr's winning "A Hero's Song" entry, go to http://www.holmesreport.com/news-info/12442/Global-SABREs-Recognize-50-Best-Campaigns-In-The-World.aspx.

Havas PR North America will be recognized, along with the other distinguished Global SABRE award recipients, at the Global Public Relations Summit hosted by the Holmes Group, Oct. 29-31, 2012, in Miami. Already one of the most awarded agencies for its size in the country, @havaspr was also recently named to PR News' CSR A-List and continues to build on momentum, setting the awards standard on several fronts, from client work to agency innovations to staff recognition. Its social media– and cause-related campaigns are especially prevalent on its list of awards (go to the agency's website at havaspr.com to view the list).

About Havas PR North America We're the North American earned-media and buzz boutique within French holding company Havas and are part of the Havas PR global collective. Headquartered in New York City (also our center for health and wellness and cause) with offices in Pittsburgh (center of excellence for B2B) and Chicago (center of excellence for retail), we've seen rapid growth in the last two years and have stacked up a huge trophy chest. Among our most recent award winners: Ford's Warriors in Pink and The French Will Never Forget (#welovecause), Urban Zen (#celebritiesmakenews), Transitions Optical (#multiculticonnects), and our thought leadership (#socialmktgtheory) and CSR strategy (#prnewsa-list). Havas PR North America (formerly known as Euro RSCG Worldwide PR, or @erwwpr) is grounded in media and newscrafting, strategy, client service, trendspotting and community to ensure we message in straight talk and real time. For more information, go to us.havaspr.com.

Contact:
Dalton Dorne
347.323.1143
[email protected]

SOURCE Havas PR North America