~~~~ The Mikey Observer ~~~~
The Norman Agency Teams Up With NASCAR's Michael Waltrip to Raise Funds and Awareness Through Radio PSAs - for OPERATION MARATHON
by Norman Agency PR
1 December 2004
TORONTO, Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The next time you hear a radio commercial,
it may be helping send a severely ill child to camp. At least that's what
NASCAR Nextel Cup driver Michael Waltrip and The Norman Agency of Toronto are
hoping for.
NASCAR Nextel Cup driver and two-time Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip
has made a commitment to raise $1 million to benefit The Victory Junction Gang
Camp in an effort called "OPERATION MARATHON: Going the Distance for Kids."
To support that effort, the international award-winning radio-creative
house The Norman Agency has made a commitment to donate 10% of their gross
revenues derived from "Operation Marathon" projects. These are projects that
begin with U.S. and Canadian advertisers saying that they want to help
Operation Marathon when they call The Norman Agency to create new radio
commercials for them.
"We're so thrilled to have The Norman Agency donate this amount of money
and time to Operation Marathon," says Michael Waltrip. "Raising money for the
Victory Junction Gang Camp is a powerful incentive as I get ready for the Las
Vegas Marathon, which happens January 30 (2005), and those Normans have said
they'll be right behind me for as long as we need them."
The Victory Junction Gang Camp was founded by NASCAR Nextel Cup driver
Kyle Petty and his wife Pattie. Associated with Paul Newman's Hole in the Wall
Gang Camps, Victory Junction's purpose is to enrich the lives of children with
chronic illnesses by creating camping experiences that are exciting, fun,
physically safe and medically sound. The children and their families pay
nothing to attend this North Carolina based camp, so operating costs must be
covered by other sources such as OPERATION MARATHON. OPERATION MARATHON is an
avenue for people to donate money to the camp.
Why did Canadian-based The Norman Agency choose Michael Waltrip's
OPERATION MARATHON as their charity of choice? "It's simply the right thing to
do. The first time I heard about The Victory Junction Gang Camp, I knew I had
to do something to contribute. These are kids with illnesses who should be
allowed to experience some fun. Who would think of the border as a restriction
for compassion?" says Jim Norman, President and Creative Director of The
Norman Agency.
Canadians love NASCAR racing. NASCAR is the top-rated motor sport on
Canadian television. In fact, it's estimated that up to 10 percent of all
tickets sold for NEXTEL Cup races held close to the border are bought by
Canadians. And the Canadian Connection to NASCAR goes way back. Remember, for
example, that NASCAR legend Richard Petty made his NASCAR debut in Toronto in
1958.
"And here at the agency, we're huge NASCAR fans. It's a requirement of the
job to follow NASCAR. It helps promote employee chatter on Monday morning,"
Norman chuckles.
The Norman Agency has also created a series of radio PSAs for OPERATION
MARATHON, all of which feature Michael Waltrip.
"What a blast to write for him," enthuses Norman. "I've written
commercials for performers from Saturday Night Live and Second City, actors
who have appeared on Broadway but never for a guy who's won the Daytona 500
twice!"
These pro bono PSAs are available now for North American radio stations to
air. Radio stations can download broadcast-quality versions of them at
http://www.thenormanagency.com/ompsa.htm
SOURCE The Norman Agency
Web Site: http://www.thenormanagency.com
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