Last week, The National Education Telecommunications Association (NETA) announced VPM as a finalist in three categories for their 52nd Annual Public Media Awards for 2020.
VPM’s podcast “ Social Distance Assistance” is nominated in NETA’s Content category. The show was launched last April in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting people in the community making a positive impact and drawing inspiration from the famous Mr. Rogers quote: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”
VPM’s second nomination, under the special category of COVID-19 Marketing and Communications, stems from our partnership with First Lady of Virginia Pamela Northam to create public service announcements for children and adults about how to stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic and suggestions for how to continue learning at home. Accompanying the First Lady in the PSA’s are Daniel Tiger and Katarina Kittycat of the PBS KIDS’ show DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD.
Lastly, VPM was nominated for its Integrated Media Campaign, The VPM Experience, as a part of VPM’s new brand launch in August 2019. The campaign featured interactive booths in science and education, photo opportunities with Elmo and an online content personality quiz. Over 15,500 people attended The VPM Experience at festivals and events throughout Central Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley.
“It is such an honor to be selected as a finalist for three Public Media Awards,” says VPM’s Chief Executive Officer and President Jayme Swain. “This year has been full of challenges, and I'm so proud of the VPM team for finding new ways to collaborate across the organization to serve the community. At a time when public media organizations across the country are making a tremendous local impact, it makes this recognition even more special.”
Awards will be announced at NETA’s 52nd Public Media Awards ceremony during the 2021 NETA Conference and CPB Thought Leader Forum being held virtually from January 25–28, 2021.
