St. Louis-Based 'MasterCard Project Math' Gains National Recognition for Innovation and Creativity O'FALLON, Mo., June 17
O'FALLON, Mo., June 17 /PRNewswire/ -- MasterCard Worldwide Global
Technology & Operations, with headquarters in O'Fallon, Mo., and the St. Louis
office of Weber Shandwick Worldwide are recipients of the prestigious Silver
Anvil Award, sponsored by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).
Their MasterCard Project Math efforts garnered the 2008 Silver Anvil Award in
the Community Relations -- Business Services category.
As the keystone of MasterCard's St. Louis corporate giving program,
Project Math supports efforts to help advance math achievement of the region's
children by increasing support for math teachers. The initiative includes
underwriting innovative solutions in five areas: engaging national and
international mathematics expertise; deepening involvement with local school
districts; developing regional educational partnerships; sharing intellectual
resources; and providing technology donations.
For Project Math, Weber Shandwick helped MasterCard align its local
support for education with its business in which careers depend on advanced
technology and financial skills. Through grants that increase resources for
math educators, students may increase their math achievement and future
employability.
The 2008 Silver Anvil, which recognizes outstanding achievement in
strategic public relations planning and implementation, was presented June 5
in New York City.
"The Silver Anvil for Project Math is a true team award, reflecting the
dedication of MasterCard and MasterCard employees to meaningful, quality
philanthropic efforts, in this case, needed assistance in efforts directed at
improving math achievement of students in the St. Louis region," said Nancy
Hadler Tully, vice president - senior business leader, Public Relations at
MasterCard. "MasterCard's Project Math is off to a strong start, with the
collaboration of other businesses, universities, civic organizations and
school districts, and we look forward to continuing our outreach in the St.
Louis region."
A few highlights of Project Math include the following results:
-- As part of the GEAR UP-ST. LOUIS program to increase the college
attendance rate of low-income students, a MasterCard grant to
University of Missouri - St. Louis underwrote intensive math
professional development for more than 50 middle school teachers in 33
schools, impacting nearly 6,000 students in 2007.
-- Teach For America, which places qualified, top recent college graduates
in the neediest schools, significantly increased its number of math and
science teachers in the St. Louis area, thanks to a MasterCard grant to
support recruitment, training and ongoing professional development.
-- MasterCard helped fund Wentzville School District's innovative
after-school math pilot program using a curriculum called Singapore
Math in the 2007-2008 school year, and is underwriting training for 100
District teachers of grades 1 through 5 this summer. Based upon
significant success, the District School Board has approved the use of
the Singapore Math program in elementary classrooms this fall.
-- A grant from MasterCard provided 18 schools with Junior Achievement
(JA) curriculum focused on financial literacy, workforce readiness and
entrepreneurship skills. In addition, 2008 is the fifth consecutive
year for the MasterCard "JA in a Day" project, in which 300 MasterCard
volunteers spent a day in May teaching JA curriculum in 137 classrooms,
reaching 3,300 students in grades K-8.
-- The 2007 MasterCard Math Education Summit convened local educators and
business and community leaders for dialogue on international
perspectives and best practices in math education.
"The finalists in this year's Silver Anvil Awards represent some of the
most strategic, creative and finest public relations campaigns in our
industry," said Joice Truban Curry, 2008 PRSA Silver Anvil Committee chair and
President/CEO, c3 Communications, Inc. "The Silver Anvils are the Oscars of
the public relations profession and these finalists exemplify the best
practices in the country."
The Silver Anvil Awards program has grown in scope and stature since its
inception in 1946, and awards are now given in 59 categories and
subcategories. To date, more than 1,200 organizations have received Silver
Anvils for excellence in strategic public relations planning and
implementation.
About MasterCard Worldwide
MasterCard Worldwide advances global commerce by providing a critical
economic link among financial institutions, businesses, cardholders and
merchants worldwide. As a franchisor, processor and advisor, MasterCard
develops and markets payment solutions, processes over 18 billion transactions
each year, and provides industry-leading analysis and consulting services to
financial institution customers and merchants. Through its family of brands,
including MasterCard(R), Maestro(R) and Cirrus(R), MasterCard serves consumers
and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. For more
information go to http://www.mastercard.com.
About Weber Shandwick
Weber Shandwick is one of the world's leading global public relations
firms with offices in major media, business and government capitals around the
world. The firm specializes in strategic marketing communications, media
relations, public affairs, reputation management, and crisis and issues
management. It also offers corporate communications counseling services. The
firm provides specialized integrated services including Web relations,
advocacy advertising, market research and visual communications. Weber
Shandwick received the highest client-satisfaction honors in the 2007 Agency
Excellence Survey by PRWeek U.S. and in 2006, was named Large PR Firm of the
Year (PR News U.S.), European Consultancy of the Year (The Holmes Report) and
Network of the Year (Asia Pacific PR Awards). The firm also won the 2005, 2006
and 2007 United Nations Grand Award for Outstanding Achievement in Public
Relations. To learn more, please visit http://www.webershandwick.com.
About the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)
The Public Relations Society of America (http://www.prsa.org/),
headquartered in New York City, is the world's largest organization for public
relations professionals with nearly 32,000 professional and student members.
PRSA is organized into 109 Chapters and 10 Districts nationwide, and 19
Professional Interest Sections and Affinity Groups, which represent business
and industry, counseling firms, independent practitioners, military,
government, associations, hospitals, schools, professional services firms and
nonprofit organizations. The Public Relations Student Society of America
(http://www.prssa.org/)(PRSSA) has 296 Chapters at colleges and universities
throughout the United States, and one Chapter in Argentina.
Contact:
Sean Hixson
Weber Shandwick Worldwide
(314) 552-6760
shixson@webershandwick.com
SOURCE Weber Shandwick Worldwide
