S&A Cherokee Wins International Communitas Award for Band Together NC Campaign

CARY, NC, March 30, 2011

S&A Cherokee has been named a 2010 Communitas Award recipient for its 2010 Band Together NC communications campaign. The Communitas Award honored S&A Cherokee for its excellence in community service and corporate social responsibility.

The Communitas Awards is an international effort to recognize exceptional businesses, organizations and individuals that are unselfishly giving of themselves and their resources, and those that are changing how they do business to benefit their communities. The Communitas Awards is an outgrowth of the pro bono recognition program of the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP).

"S&A Cherokee always strives to be good corporate citizens and Band Together is such a fulfilling partner," said S&A Cherokee owner/principal Chuck Norman. "We are able to give back to a new and deserving organization every year through Band Together while also growing and supporting their mission. We look to grow with Band Together for years to come and are honored that we're able to help so many others through our partnership with them."

S&A Cherokee donated public relations and marketing campaign work in-kind for Band Together NC, a nonprofit organization that uses musical events to raise funds and awareness for select Triangle charities. To increase sponsorship and ticket sales for a fundraising concert, S&A Cherokee built a comprehensive communications plan comprised of the following: media relations, digital marketing, promotional messaging and collateral development.

Despite the tough economy, the 2010 concert was Band Together's most successful event to date, attracting more than 2,500 attendees, 100 sponsorships and more than $358,000 in money raised which was a 156 percent increase over the $140,000 raised in 2009.

"Our judges found that S&A Cherokee clearly exhibits the spirit of communitas, a Latin word meaning people coming together for the good of a community," said Ed Dalheim, AMCP's executive director. "S&A Cherokee joins other Communitas winners recognized for specific programs involving volunteerism, philanthropy or ethical, sustainable business practices."

For more information about S&A Cherokee, visit http://www.sacherokee.com.

About S&A Cherokee
Delivering intelligent communications, S&A Cherokee is a full-service communications company providing public relations, advertising, marketing, event planning and custom publishing services. In 2009 and 2010, S&A Cherokee was named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America. Originally founded as Smith & Associates in 1982, the company is based in Cary, N.C. In addition to its consulting and event planning services, S&A Cherokee publishes national and regional magazines such as Auto Remarketing, SubPrime Auto Finance News, Cary Magazine and Triangle East, as well as customized client publications. The company has approximately 40 employees. For more information, visit http://www.sacherokee.com or call (919) 674-6020.