Spector & Associates Honored for Creating Nation's Best Community Relations Campaign

NEW YORK, March 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Spector & Associates, one of the nation's leading corporate communications and public affairs firms, has been selected for PRWeek's Community Relations Campaign of the Year. The agency was chosen for its work to launch a technology experience center and secure funding for Older Adults Technology Services (OATS). The award was given at the 15^th annual PRWeek gala, held March 20 in New York City.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140324/PH89301-a)

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140324/PH89301LOGO-b)

Spector & Associates was also commended in a separate category, being named runner up for PRWeek's Nonprofit Campaign of the Year.

The highest accolade in the public relations industry, the PRWeek Awards honor the nation's most innovative campaigns, with special recognition given to those that drive operational outcomes and notable changes in stakeholder behavior. "The effort will inspire others," offered one judge. "This was a great program in which a communications solution met a great need," added another.

"We knew we had a great story, but Spector & Associates helped us craft it into an impactful and resonant narrative that really engaged our community," said Tom Kamber, founder and executive director of OATS. "OATS started as very much a local nonprofit with big ideas. Now, we're not only contributing to the national conversation around technology accessibility for older adults, but often, we're driving it."

The campaign that Spector & Associates developed ensured that OATS was able to keep the doors open at the Senior Planet Exploration Center, the country's first technology center for older adults. The strategy encompassed a range of disciplines, integrating public affairs and media relations, social media and community activation to influence a range of audiences throughout the public and private sectors.

"The campaign exemplifies how close collaboration between a client and an agency can produce strong results. Working with Tom and the entire OATS team has been a tremendous honor for Spector & Associates," offered Elliott Suthers, vice president of Spector & Associates, himself a PRWeek honoree in 2011. "Knowing that we've meaningfully contributed to the organization's success will definitely motivate us to think of bigger and better ways to collaborate with OATS in the future."

More than 20,000 older New Yorkers took OATS classes in 2013 -- 200% above the annual enrollment goal. With lines forming around the block on enrollment day, all classes in the fall semester were fully booked within two hours.

Spector & Associates continues to support OATS and Kamber in his mission to bring the concept of "Aging with Attitude" to life. OATS is currently working with a number of national partners to develop individualized programs for communities across the country, with the goal of enhancing the quality of life for seniors nationwide.

To learn more, please visit www.spectorpr.com

About Spector & Associates
Founded in 1991, Spector & Associates has been providing communications and public affairs counsel to clients throughout the technology, health care, aerospace and nonprofit sectors for more than 23 years. The company has earned more than 40 awards in public relations, integrated branding programs, corporate social responsibility and web development. www.spectorpr.com

About OATS
OATS is a New York-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that harnesses the power of technology to change the way we age. Since 2004, OATS has delivered more than 20,000 free technology-training classes to older adults through more than 70 partner locations in New York City. www.oats.org

Contact
Benjamin Gorelick
Spector & Associates 
Email 
(212) 943-5858

Read more news from Spector & Associates.

SOURCE Spector & Associates