Sep 26, 2012
Program begins accepting applications for 2013-2014.
Every nonprofit has something important to say, but very few have the resources to actually get their message heard. That’s why in 2010, Esparza Advertising created Advocate–a program that provides an estimated $1 million in advertising services through an unprecedented partnership of advertising, media, public relations, web and production companies. Along with Esparza Advertising, Advocate partners include Clear Channel Outdoor, Clear Channel Radio, Cumulus Media, Fox TV, CBS TV, New Mexico Business Weekly, James Korenchen Public Relations, RealTime Solutions, Southwest Productions and 30 Second Street.
Since its launch, the Advocate program and its partners have donated over $3 million in advertising services, production services and media placements to three Albuquerque-area nonprofits–Assistance League of Albuquerque, Family Advocacy Center and Cuidando Los Niños (now known as CLNkids). The effects have been remarkable. The program helped Assistance League provide over 4,000 Albuquerque children with clothing so that they could attend school through a unique website donation page. Family Advocacy Center, which provides help to victims of domestic violence, had over a 1,000 more women use their services through an awareness campaign highlighted by a powerful 30-second television commercial. And while we don’t yet have the full results for the current Advocate recipient, CLNkids, the organization has seen a significant increase in traffic to their website since their campaign was launched in July of 2012.
Now Advocate is looking to future, looking for the next nonprofit to help. The program is currently accepting applications for its 2013-2014 award recipient. To apply, nonprofits simply need to visit weadvocate.org, download and fill out the application and submit it by October 10. Once submitted, the Advocate partners will review all applications and several could be invited to an exploratory meeting to learn more about their organization. The final, winning nonprofit will be selected by the end of the year.
“In the three years since we began Advocate, we’ve received over 200 applications,” said Del Esparza, President of Esparza Advertising and creator of the Advocate program. “And each time we do this, we’re surprised to learn just how many organizations are out there–doing really amazing things for our community–that we had no idea even existed. We’re extremely proud to be able to give these nonprofits a platform so that others will know their story too. As we enter our fourth year of Advocate, we’re excited to name the next recipient of the program and to work hard to make sure our entire community will soon know their name too.”
To learn more about Advocate, see case studies highlighting previous winners and to download an application for 2013-2014, go to www.weadvocate.org.