This Year’s Honorees

Burson

SUCCESS Award

From the very beginning of our relationship, Burson, a global communications agency with an office right here in Pittsburgh, has embraced the opportunity to learn about the complexities and nuances of domestic violence and understand that it must be done with a great deal of thought in order to communicate appropriately and strategically. Over the years, they have collaborated with WC&S on a variety of public relations and communications-related projects, helping to broaden our base of supporters and increase awareness around the issue of domestic violence.

Burson has developed and executed earned media strategies and efforts in support of Pittsburgh’s 2018 Connection of Hope Day Event/RUSafe app relaunch and mayoral proclamation in partnership with Aspirant, now Wavestone; pandemic DV-related awareness; and WC&S’ 50th Anniversary. Burson also led the media relations strategy, public relations efforts, and execution of the U.S. launch of Bright Sky, a free, safe, and easy-to-use DV app and website, securing coverage in outlets such as KPRC-TV/Houston, Pittsburgh Magazine, and Technical.ly. Bright Sky was awarded Invention of the Year for 2023 by The Technical.ly Awards and received the 2024 Public Relations Society of America’s regional Renaissance Award for Excellence in PR and Communication, Nonprofit Communication Campaign for the Bright Sky marketing campaign. The campaign also received the Public Relations Society of America Pittsburgh chapters highest award, “Best In Show.”

Members of the Burson team in the Pittsburgh office, including Executive Vice President, Gina Richardson, have served as ongoing champions of WC&S through on-the-ground volunteer efforts, including providing homemade baked goods during the pandemic, packing the pantry with essential items, and participating in holiday parties and costume donations. Burson’s employee resource group, Women In-Sync and Empowered (WISE) has worked to drive awareness nationally of DV-related resources and programming has advocated for employee participation in Purple Thursday and Denim Day, and membership with STANDING FIRM, a national program of WC&S.

Rachel Hopkins, Executive Vice President, is a long-serving member of the WC&S Communications Committee, providing strategic communications support for key initiatives and senior communications counsel to the organization’s leadership team. Rachel said of Burson’s commitment to the WC&S mission, “It’s a privilege to serve this organization that has deep purpose and dedication to an issue that impacts many. We remain focused on helping WC&S drive awareness and action to prevent DV in our local community and around the country.”