Minority Agency, Danielle Ashley Group, Proves Staying Power with Silver Anvil Triumph

CHICAGO, June 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- One minority-owned Chicago agency is not only beating the odds, but winning big, in an economy that has not been kind to boutique public relations firms.

Danielle Ashley Group received the prestigious Silver Anvil Award of Excellence from the Public Relations Society of America during a recent ceremony in New York City.  Founded by entrepreneur Tracey Alston, DAG was the only African-American agency represented at the awards event which drew powerhouse marketing companies from around the nation.

Danielle Ashley won the award in the Public Service (Partnerships) category for its work in developing, executing and publicizing the Walgreens First Ladies Health Initiative in both Chicago and in Los Angeles. 

The agency conceptualized the program 10 years ago with John Gremer, the director of community relations for Walgreens. It begins with an annual luncheon, during which 150 pastors' wives meet to hear about diseases that are crippling African-American communities.

First Ladies culminates with an annual health day hosted by the churches. Local residents are invited to undergo free tests for chronic illnesses including HIV, diabetes, high blood pressure and breast cancer. 

An average of 40 churches participate in the program in each Chicago and Los Angeles every year. Approximately 100,000 people have been tested over the six-year span of the initiative.

"This program is obviously a winning scenario for everyone involved," according to Gremer. "Our success is in knowing that our work has resulted in customers receiving the information that they need to be able to make important decisions about their health."

Added Alston: "The success of our First Ladies Heath Initiative represents what can happen when you bring together the coalition of the willing to see a need in our urban communities and develop a solution."

DAG received the PRSA recognition due to its ability to attract health experts from a variety of organizations to perform the tests. The American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Susan G. Komen, the California Department of Public Health and 100 additional organizations are partners. 

About Danielle Ashley Group

Danielle Ashley Group, Inc. is a full-service PR agency with offices in Chicago and Los Angeles. The agency provides services in community relations, faith-based marketing, media placement and production, collateral development, research and crisis management. More information is available at www.DanielleAshley.com.

Denise M. Spencer
312.470.0270 (O), 312.371.6239 (C)
[email protected]

SOURCE Danielle Ashley Group