Goodbye To 2020. Adapting & Healing in a Year of Adversity.

A Message from Larry Ceisler

Welcome to our year-end newsletter. Let me start by wishing you and yours a happy and peaceful holiday season from all of us at Ceisler Media & Issue Advocacy.

 

Like you, we are looking forward to 2021 and the promise of a safer, calmer New Year. I think we’ll all be happy to have 2020 behind us.

 

Challenging as the past year was, we appreciate that we were able to expand existing relationships and build new ones at Ceisler Media. Recognizing the evolving media landscape, we started a new Digital Team, headed by Director of Digital & Creative Services, Krystal Bonner.

 

This month’s issue focuses on how we’ve all adapted and persisted through 2020. Our lead article comes from Senior Director Kirk Dorn, who underwent a heart transplant in March. Kirk, who is feeling much better now, writes on the frustration of sitting on the sideline while COVID impacted the clients he works so hard to represent. I’m sure you’ll find his story engrossing.

 

Chief Operating Officer Kate Wilhelm writes eloquently about the lessons learned in a year of adversity, and the need for grace, change, and growth in this unsteady environment.

 

Even before the pandemic hit, our firm began moving toward remote working and connecting our people and clients through innovative communications tools. Cynthia McCurdy, our Director of Business Operations, explains how we are continuing to adapt for the future.

 

There are other interesting articles. In “Miller’s Musings,” Special Projects Manager Larry Miller calls for increased civil discourse during these anxious times. Associate David Huppert, colorfully narrates how when the pandemic shut everything down, he embarked on a 108-day road trip across America. And two departing interns – Maya Williams and Hannah Blankrecount what they learned during their time with us, even if they didn’t get to meet most of their co-workers.

 

We’ve got interesting news about our clients, and holiday photos of our own people.

 

Give it a read and let me know your thoughts. And, again, from all of us at Ceisler Media, we wish you and yours a happy, safe holiday. Here’s looking forward to seeing you – in person – in 2021.

 

Client News

 

Election Systems & Software

Thanks to eight-time Oscar nominee and Philadelphia native Bradley Cooper for donating this food to workers diligently counting absentee ballots at the Philadelphia Convention Center during last month’s election. Our client, Election Systems & Software, provided the voting machines and ballot scanners for the election.
 
 

Comcast NBCUniversal

More than 70 students receiving virtual school instruction at the Shane Victorino Nicetown Boys & Girls Club were surprised on Dec. 4 with an early Christmas celebration. They were greeted with Christmas presents donated by Comcast NBCUniversal, and later enjoyed an “Elf” themed party. The surprise delivery was broadcast live on NBC’s “Today” show.
 

PHLConnectED, the initiative providing free internet and devices to Philadelphia School District students, is expanding its eligibility to households in need. The program, funded by Comcast NBCUniversal and others, has already connected more than 12,000 students to the internet.

 

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10.27 Healing Partnership

Pittsburgh Steeler Cam Heyward is a future Hall of Famer, but the Pro Bowl defensive tackle is as well known for work off the field. This month, Heyward supported the 10.27 Healing Partnership and Achieva through the NFL’s “My Cause, My Cleats” campaign. He donated customized cleats in honor of the 11 people killed at the Tree of Life synagogue in 2018, especially brothers Cecil and David Rosenthal. Photo Courtesy of Pittsburgh Steelers
 

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Belmont Charter Network

Belmont Charter Network teachers and staff will spread holiday cheer before Christmas, distributing toys to students and groceries to their families. More than 150 gifts have been collected, but contributions are still needed. Teachers have created an Amazon gift directory that considers the impact and usefulness to each grade group.
 

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Client Highlights

Entercom

Entercom teamed up with the Ad Council as the exclusive audio production partner for COPING-19, a national public service advertising campaign aimed at raising awareness and providing tips and resources to help people experiencing mental health challenges. The project is part of Entercom Serves, the company’s social impact platform, designed to raise awareness of social issues and bring communities together for good. Entercom will donate time and space across its portfolio of broadcast, digital and social media assets.

 

PRWT

PRWT Services Inc. President & CEO Malik Majeed offered a prescription for a post-COVID economic recovery in this Philadelphia Business Journal column. His plan calls for a national stimulus package and calls upon local business leaders to work collaboratively with government, civic organizations, universities, and research centers.

 

Chester Housing Authority

The Chester Housing Authority (CHA) and Everest Urgent Care provided COVID-19 testing sites for city residents throughout November. Residents were able to take free rapid results tests, which deliver results as soon as one day after testing.

 

Future Works Alliance PHL

The founder of Future Works Alliance PHL, Anne Gemmell, appeared on NBC10’s @ Issue to discuss how Greater Philadelphia can ready its workforce to deal with changes from automation and artificial intelligence. Future Works recently announced its advisory board members, including Sheila Ireland, deputy secretary of workforce development for the Commonwealth; Tracey Welson Rossman, founder of the TechGirlz Foundation; and Chad Womack of the United Negro College Fund.

Ceisler News

Kurt Knaus, Guest Columnist for Delaware County Daily Times

 

Billions of dollars in COVID-19 recovery investments, along with thousands of jobs, are threatened by attacks on energy pipeline infrastructure, writes Senior Director Kurt Knaus in this Delaware County Daily Times guest column (subscription required).

 

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Ceisler Families Celebrating the Holidays

As we at Ceisler Media wish you all a joyous holiday season, please enjoy these photos of some of our team celebrating with family members — some of the four-legged variety.

Spotlight

 WXPN, 88.5 FM, Philadelphia’s public radio station, polled its listeners on their all-time favorite songs and kicked off the countdown – 2,020 songs total – on Dec. 10. Ceisler Media Principal Larry Ceisler serves as Chair of the WXPN Policy Board. Larry’s own personal favorites – Tom Petty, The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, Mark Knopfler, and Jason Isbell – were all, deservedly, well represented on the list, which was debated in this New York Times article.

More Posts

Graphic that reads "for Philadelphia, this moment feels different" with an illustration of Philadelphia's City Hall with an illustration of a sun behind it, with a blue sky.

Larry Ceisler: For Philadelphia, This Moment Feels Different 

In the poorest large city in America, optimism can be in short supply.

Even in a business where my colleagues and I have the privilege of telling the stories of incredible clients doing sometimes literally lifesaving work, the forest and the trees can sometimes blend together.

But, once in a while, forces in the city converge that can change almost anyone’s perspective.

Read more >