Levi Strauss & Co., Wells Fargo and Progressive took home coveted silver statuettes last night at the second annual GLAAD Media Awards in Advertising, held at the Grand Hyatt in New York.
Celebs from TV, music and the media honored visionary, inclusive advertising campaigns that displayed lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in realistic, positive ways.
Actor Bryan Batt from AMC’s Mad Men emceed the evening, even breaking out in a très gay cabaret bit that had the audience of real-life man men (and women) giggling. New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn gamely assisted the silent auction of three fabulous vacation packages.
Reality TV star Bethenny Frankel, Bravo host and Senior VP of Production and Programming Andy Cohen, Bebe Zahara Benet, winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 1; Food Network chefs/hosts Sunny Anderson and Anne Burrell, and country singer Chely Wright presented awards to the following winners:
- Corporate Responsibility Award: American Airlines
- Public Visibility Award: Advertising Age critic Bob Garfield
- Outstanding TV Campaign, LGBT Market: Levi’s Gay History Month/Logo Leaders Campaign (Levi Strauss & Co.), accepted by Diane Jones-Lowrey, Director of Diversity Marketing and Operations
- Outstanding Print Campaign, Mainstream Market: America’s Top Couple (K-Y Brand), accepted by Brittany Citron, Senior Brand Manager
- Outstanding Print Campaign, LGBT Market: Works in Progress (Progressive Insurance) , accepted by Kelley Rogers, Account Supervisor for Progressive at Arnold Worldwide
- Outstanding Interactive Campaign: The Advocate Money Minute Presented by Wells Fargo (Wells Fargo), accepted by Candace McCullom, VP, Brand and Advertising Manager
- Outstanding Social Marketing Campaign: SAGECAP: The Caregiver’s Caregiver (SAGE), accepted by Kenneth Cox, Senior Director, Development
"Tonight’s honorees, nominees and award recipients have set new industry standards which underline the value of gay and lesbian consumers," said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios. "More and more companies are moving toward ads that reflect truly reflect all people and learning that LGBT people should be accepted and respected, not only for their potential buying power, but for their contribution to the American cultural fabric."
Check out GO’s photos from the event by clicking here: http://bit.ly/dtHrI4
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