UNIVISION ARIZONA LOCAL MEDIA AWARDED HIGHEST ACHIEVEMENT
Univision Arizona Recognized for its Univision Contigo Education Campaign with NATAS Governor’s EMMY Award
The Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) has selected Univision Arizona Local Media as the recipient of its highest honor, the Governor’s Emmy Award, in recognition of its outstanding contributions to Arizona society through its Univision Contigo Education Campaign.
“Univision Arizona has made an incredibly valuable and impactful commitment to the future of our state through a dynamic campaign that reaches beyond the classroom,” says Theresa Maher, president of NATAS, noting the station has worked to bring on partners including Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild, superintendents and council members.
“The ability to engage and empower our communities is our greatest strength and education has always been of the highest priority for us and our community,” said Roberto Yañez, vice president and general manager of Univision Arizona Local Media. “Being honored with a Governor’s Emmy award from the Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter for its year-long Education Empowerment Initiative is a testament to Univision Arizona’s definitive influence. Broadcasters can and should play an instrumental role in serving our communities.”
“Univision Contigo Educación” is a multi-year, cross-platform education initiative and nation-wide campaign that aims to increase Hispanic students’ high school completion and college readiness. The initiative raises awareness about the importance of post-secondary education and provides parents with concrete tools and resources to help their children achieve academic success from early childhood through their post-secondary studies.
Throughout this campaign, Univision Arizona leveraged its multimedia platforms to reach Arizona’s community, ranging from news segments like “Student of the Week,” which highlights a student who is making a difference with teachers and peers, to “Promesas Del Futuro” (Future Promises), which highlights outstanding student athletes. The campaign also has had an integral grassroots component, with efforts ranging from phone banks, education walks and an annual Education Fair designed to increase parental engagement.
Furthermore, the campaign has garnered the support of several high-profile individuals, such as Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild, Councilmen David Valenzuela and Michael Nowakowski, and prominent businesswoman and philanthropist Cindy McCain.
Univision Arizona also dedicated the entire month of April to early childhood education development, as part of Univision Contigo and Too Small to Fail’s joint initiative, “Pequeños y Valiosos” (Young and Valuable), which encourages parents to pledge to read, talk or sing to their small children for at least 15 minutes a day in order to build their children’s vocabulary and close the word gap. During this month, Mrs. McCain participated in Univision Arizona’s education roundtable discussion with local parents and community members about how to improve their children’s early learning and language development through frequent and direct communication with their children. The discussion was led by Bob Llamas, EVP of Univision Communications; Enrique Acevedo, National News Anchor for “Noticiero Univision Edición Nocturna;” and Heidi Renpenning, local News Anchor for “Noticias Univision Arizona.” More than 1,400 pledges were collected during this month from parents across Arizona committing to read or interact with their kids for at least 15 minutes a day.
Since 2010, Univision has leveraged its various media channels across television, radio, online, social media, and local events to reach out to the Hispanic community encouraging increased student and parental engagement. Univision Contigo Educacion receives funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; the Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton Foundation; and Next Generation, as well as guidance from its national Advisory Board comprised of esteemed experts in education.
The Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Governors’ Award is the highest honor the chapter grants to an individual, organization or station. Past recipients have ranged from technical innovations to public service programs. The awards represent excellence in broadcasting that go beyond those normally found in individual craft or program categories. Univision Arizona Local Media will be presented with the Governor’s Award during the 2014 Rocky Mountain Emmy Awards Gala, set for October 18th at the Scottsdale Fairmont Princess Resort.
For more information on Univision’s education effort, please visit www.univisioncontigo.com/education &corporate.univision.com/corporate/community-relations/educacion/.
CONTACT: Paola Hernandez
pahernandez@univision.net
646-560-4979
