Operation Lifesaver's Distraction PSAs Win Tellys for People's Choice, Editing, Public Service
WASHINGTON, DC, June 25, 2010 - Operation Lifesaver’s (www.oli.org) Distracted Driver public service announcements (PSAs) are the recipients of top awards in the 2010 People’s Choice Telly Awards YouTube competition. The humorous and serious Distracted Driver PSAs received enough YouTube votes to earn the contest’s highest honor: silver People’s Choice Telly Awards. A total of 11,000 videos and public service announcements were entered in the annual contest, which was expanded to YouTube this year.
A third Operation Lifesaver PSA, the Distracted Pedestrian, which focuses on transit safety, was the winner of two additional Telly Awards, a silver for editing and a bronze for public service. The Distracted Driver – Serious PSA, featuring two females texting, talking and distracted by a song on the radio, also won a public service Bronze Telly Award.
The PSAs can also be viewed on the Operation Lifesaver site at www.oli.org/psas.
“These new PSAs are winning raves from rail safety advocates across the nation, and we are proud to have received this recognition from the public and the Telly Awards,” says Helen Sramek, president of Operation Lifesaver, Inc. “Through YouTube, we can remind millions of drivers about the importance of avoiding distractions at all intersections, including highway-rail grade crossings. The PSAs are also being shared by our safety partners and friends in the Facebook community, further increasing their reach.”
All three spots were produced by Henninger Media Services in Arlington, Virginia. The Distracted Pedestrian PSA was filmed on the Baltimore light rail line (MTA) near the Camden Yards station. The Distracted Driver spots were filmed in Thurmont, Maryland.
About the Telly Awards
The Telly Awards (www.tellyawards.com) is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional and cable TV commercials and programs, as well as the finest video and film productions. Annually the awards program showcases the best work of the most respected advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators, and corporate video departments in the world.
About Operation Lifesaver
Operation Lifesaver’s mission is to end collisions, deaths and injuries at highway-rail grade crossings and on rail property through a nationwide network of volunteers who work to educate people about rail safety. For more information and safety tips for motorists and pedestrians, log on to www.oli.org.
