Gramercy Communications Offers $1000 in Prizes for Best Non-Partisan Get-Out-the-Vote Web Videos “Contest Aimed at Generation Y Voters”

ALBANY, NY, — Gramercy Communications, an Albany, NY-based public relations and marketing consulting firm is offering $1000 in cash prizes to up to five 18-25 year olds for the production of a non-partisan web video aimed at encouraging young people to vote.

“According the U.S. Census Bureau, during the 2004 Presidential Election less than 42% of people between the ages of 18-23 actually voted,” said Gramercy Communications founder Tom Nardacci. “All expectations are that the number of young people who will vote in New York State this year will much, much lower.”

Nardacci said that the internet showcases the tremendous creative talent of young people today. “Young adults spend countless hours on Gaming sites, YouTube™, and websites like MySpace showing off their creativity. I’d like to tap into that energy and offer an outlet for young people to interact in a positive way with politics,” he added.

Public national polling data suggests that young people are far from apathetic, particularly in terms of being aware of world affairs. “The rough and divisive nature of modern politics and the reflective mean spiritedness of political advertising are far from inspiring,” said Nardacci. “Gen X’ers from my generation and those coming of voting age now in Gen Y, or echo boomers, don’t have John Kennedy or Ronald Reagan portraying a reason to believe,” Nardacci added.

When he was 23 years old, Nardacci announced he was a candidate for public office. That year he was elected Common Council President in his hometown, Rensselaer, N.Y. Two years later he lost a contentious race for Mayor by a narrow margin, and moved to New York City to attend graduate school at Columbia University. Tom began his career in Washington, D.C. on the staff of U.S. Congressman Mike McNulty (NY-21) and served as Director of Communications for New York Assemblyman Ron Canestrari (106 AD). He is a veteran of over a dozen federal, state, and local election campaigns.

A $500 first place prize will be accompanied by up to five $100 prizes for honorable mentions. The video should be under 30 seconds in length, be non-partisan and not mention any specific candidate or interest group, and have a generally positive tone. Creativity and humor that appeals to young people is encouraged. Questions about detailed submission guidelines should be directed via e-mail to GOTV@GramercyCommunications.com. The deadline for submissions is Friday, October 27, 2006.
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About Gramercy Communications, LLC
Gramercy Communications, LLC offers strategic public relations, public affairs, and marketing communications counsel for businesses and not-for-profit clients in the Capital Region and New York City. Tom Nardacci, principal, received a master’s degree in strategic communications from Columbia University. He has a bachelor’s degree in history from Syracuse University. Prior to launching Gramercy Communications in 2005, he served as Director of Public Affairs for the Alliance for Downtown New York, lower Manhattan’s business improvement district. For more information, visit www.GramercyCommunications.com.