Goddard Systems, Inc. and Celebrity Focus, Inc. Win Two 2021 Skyline Awards from Public Relations Society of America

Goddard Systems, Inc. (GSI), the franchisor of The Goddard School, the nation’s leading premium childcare provider, has received two 2021 Skyline Awards from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Chicago Chapter. PRSA Chicago’s annual Skyline Awards are the premier public relations and communications awards competition in the city, celebrating creativity and innovation in public relations and showcasing business impact and results.

Partnering with Celebrity Focus, Inc., GSI received a Skyline Award in the “Best Use of Broadcast/Film/Video” category for their Parenting Under Five video series. Created in fall 2020 as parents of young children were navigating decisions about a return to school during COVID-19, the 15-part series offered expert advice and practical tips for parents to keep their children safe while continuing vital early childhood education. Now at 23 videos, Parenting Under Five features Goddard parents, teachers and subject-matter experts in early childhood development exploring important topics that include the social and emotional impact of virtual learning on children, the unique opportunities of in-person learning environments and ways to ensure a confident return to the classroom.

Also recognized in the “Best Use of Broadcast/Film/Video” category is the 2020 Teacher Appreciation Week video, which won an Award of Excellence from PRSA Chicago. Another collaboration between GSI and Celebrity Focus, the Teacher Appreciation Week video was created to thank Goddard School teachers across the nation for all the hard work and dedication they put forth for the American children under their care, particularly during an unprecedented school year. It was shared with more than 12,000 Goddard School teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week, an annual event celebrated across the United States. The video featured 22 celebrities sharing their gratitude including Brett Favre, Sean Astin, and Melissa Joan Hart. Earlier this year, this project won the 2021 PRSA Bronze Anvil Award of Commendation.

“As schools and communities navigate the complexities of the pandemic, it is more important than ever that we recognize and appreciate teachers for their accomplishments, as well as support parents as they navigate difficult decisions regarding their children’s development,” said Chris Malone, Executive Vice President, Chief Growth and Strategy Officer at GSI. “We greatly value the passion and commitment of our teachers, as they support the needs of more than 70,000 students and their families. These initiatives were developed to convey our sincere thanks and gratitude for their outstanding service.”

“Thank you to our PRSA peers for recognizing these projects, each of which hold a special meaning to us,” added Ric Bachrach, Chief Executive Officer at Celebrity Focus, Inc. “We’re grateful that GSI entrusted us with creating such important videos, both for teachers and parents across the nation, and we’re thrilled to see this work recognized in such a significant way.”

The 2021 Skyline Awards were judged by the PRSA Minnesota Chapter. Submissions were scored based on their use of creativity, resourcefulness, and impact. Projects with a minimum score of 75% received the Award of Excellence, and those with a score of more than 85% received the Skyline Award.