2010 Honda Helpful Awards Nomination Period Opens
Program Returns for Third Consecutive Year to Honor Southern California Residents Who Are Dedicated to Being Helpful
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 1 -- The Southern California Honda Dealers Association (SCHDA), and the Helpful Honda Guys and Girls in Blue, today announced the opening of the nomination period for the 2010 Honda Helpful Awards. The highly anticipated program, which is part of the ongoing Honda Helpful campaign, is back for the third year in a row to recognize Southern Californians who offer their time and resources to assisting those in need. Residents are encouraged to visit a participating Honda dealership or affiliated website, www.socalhonda.com, to nominate an inspiring friend, family member, neighbor or coworker whose life and the lives of others would be considerably improved by a new Honda. Each submission must be accompanied by a written explanation outlining the reason(s) the nominee should be awarded a car, how the car will benefit their work, and which Honda model would be most useful. The nomination period is open through November 1st, 2009, and winners will be announced at a private event in Los Angeles, California in January.
With the current economic conditions presenting challenges for many, and funds scarce or even unavailable for most non-profit programs, more people are finding themselves in difficult financial positions or without the resources they have relied on in the past. This year more than ever, the Honda Helpful Awards will celebrate the continued commitment of individuals who go above and beyond to help others, regardless of personal situations, and acknowledge the remarkable impact people have made within their communities.
"During hard times, it's easy to focus on your struggles and forget about others in need of some help," said Patrick Adams, managing director of Santa Monica-based Secret Weapon Marketing, the creative agency behind the Honda Helpful campaign. "But the SCHDA is not only continuing their helpful ways, they are, for the third year in a row, recognizing individuals who are helping others despite the economy. We're inspired by the people we've honored with Honda Helpful Awards over the last two years, and are excited to meet others who embody the spirit of the campaign."
The 2010 Honda Helpful Awards will be promoted through online and radio advertising and in participating dealerships across Southern California. The Honda Helpful campaign has also partnered with local volunteer organizations, community outreach groups, a variety of local city agencies and online charitable communities to reach new audiences.
Submissions are open to Southern California residents only, and can be presented for consideration online, through standard mail, or in dealership entry boxes. For more information, please visit www.socalhonda.com.
About 2009 Honda Helpful Award Recipients
The 2009 Honda Helpful Award winners include Los Angeles resident Earnest Phillips, who received a new Honda Civic Hybrid for his work in the transportation, shelter, food and rehabilitation programs of homeless veterans in the New Directions Outreach Program. Michelle Massie from Los Feliz, CA was honored with a new, handicapped-accessible Honda Odyssey to ease the burden of caring for her disabled son, Cole Massie, and further support her son's efforts to spread his inspirational message to other children with disabilities. West Los Angeles resident Ilene Leiter was recognized for launching the organization "Kings Care: A Safe Place," and donating her homes to provide food, shelter and job placement programs for recovering addicts and victims of domestic abuse. Leiter drove a small car with 120,000 miles before receiving a new Honda CR-V, and is now able to better transport the 300 pounds of food she delivers from local food banks each week.
About Honda Helpful
Launched in January 2007, Honda Helpful is an innovative, multi-layered advertising and marketing program representing 60 dealers from various cities across Southern California. Conceived by creative marketing agency, Secret Weapon Marketing, Honda Helpful serves to increase awareness for individual dealer experiences and create a unified voice through an evergreen message. The program enhances the TV, radio and outdoor impressions by bringing its philosophy to the streets and demonstrating the Southern California Honda Dealers' commitment to being Helpful.
Since its launch, teams of Helpful Honda Guys & Girls in Blue have visited local shelters in the winter to serve warm meals to the homeless, and beaches and parks throughout the warm months to distribute sunscreen packets, lip balm and bottled water. They've surprised Honda drivers with complimentary car washes and tanks of gas, kept people dry during the rainy season with unexpected umbrella escorts, and are frequently seen at hardware stores and supermarkets providing eco-friendly shopping bags and carrying/loading bags for shoppers. For more information, visit www.socalhonda.com.
About Secret Weapon Marketing
Established in 1997, Secret Weapon Marketing is a full service creative agency known for developing unforgettable advertising and marketing campaigns. Committed to constructing unique and recognizable properties for its clients, the agency was awarded the Golden Lion and Golden Effie for its work on the Jack in the Box campaign, and recently launched the Helpful campaign for the Southern California Honda Dealers Association. Located in Santa Monica, California, Secret Weapon Marketing was formed by Dick Sittig, creator of the Energizer Bunny and the long-running Jack in the Box campaign; and Managing Director, Patrick Adams. For more information, please visit www.secretweapon.net