Corning Place Communications (CPC), an Albany-based firm specializing in the development of public relations and advocacy campaigns, was recognized with the 2016 Capital Region MarCom Award for excellence and achievement in the fields of marketing and public relations.
CPC’s honors stem from its work associated with government and public affairs on behalf of two clients: Minimum Wage Reality Check Coalition and the Fostering Youth Success Alliance.
“We believe that an affirmative, layered and sustained approach to strategy and message elevates profile and provides clarity of voice,” said Paul W. Larrabee, APR, managing director of CPC. “We are grateful that our peers recognize the impact and effectiveness of our work at the Capitol and across New York state.”
The Fostering Youth Success Alliance launched a multi-year effort beginning in January 2015 to raise awareness of the challenges faced by foster youth when they pursue a college degree (See case study). Many have few if any academic or financial resources when they arrive on campus and, during semester breaks, are left without a safe place to live. With the support of respected advocates such as former Chief Judge Judith Kaye and a statewide network of children’s advocates, the Alliance was able to elevate the issue resulting in $1.5 million in funding to bolster opportunity programs on state, city and independent university campuses. The program was so successful in 2015 that a second round of funding was secured in 2016 bringing total funding to $3 million. Larrabee led FYSA’s strategic communications effort.
“Teaming up with the pros at Corning Place Communications changed the dynamic of our advocacy efforts. They designed a social- and earned-media strategy that optimized opportunities and moved the needle of awareness in the Capitol and across the state. Their work was key to creating a program that provides college-age foster youth with resources to succeed on campus and in life,” said Jessica Maxwell, director of the Fostering Youth Success Alliance.
The grass-roots Minimum Wage Reality Check campaign, which was supported by 57 business organizations across New York, sought to raise awareness about the negative economic impacts of a proposed 67-percent minimum wage increase. The campaign leveraged reputable economic studies as well as real-world testimonials from small business owners, farmers and non-profits organizations in an effort to educate and influence legislators. As a result of the Minimum Wage Reality Check campaign, the legislature and Governor Cuomo agreed to a two-tiered compromise: Downstate counties will see a $15 minimum wage phased in by 2018 while Upstate counties will reach $12.50 by 2020. Andrew Gregory led the campaign for CPC.
“Given the magnitude of special interest support for the minimum wage increase, the founding members of the Minimum Wage Reality Check campaign knew that our opposition effort would be an uphill battle,” said Greg Biryla, executive director of Unshackle Upstate. “Corning Place Communications developed and executed an aggressive campaign that raised the voices of small businesses, farmers and taxpayers across New York. Without the expert guidance from Corning Place Communications, the outcome of this effort would’ve been very different.”
Corning Place Communications represents a broad-based portfolio of clients on matters in various sectors including education, health care, social services, and labor. It also supports a robust media relations and crisis mitigation practice. CPC’s team of communications professionals also includes: Joshua Poupore, APR; Deborah Fasser; James Smith and Jeffrey Orkovitz.
CPC is a member of the Public Relations Consultants Group (PRCG) ), an exclusive network of 50 highly-regarded, senior-level public relations pros working in every major U.S. and Canadian market and industry sector.
For additional information, contact Josh Poupore at 518.689.7223 or jpoupore@corningplace.com.