FOR RELEASE: Thursday, March 26, 2009
American Airlines AND AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PEOPLE
WITH DISABILITIES TEAm Up TO HONOR
BEST TV COMMERCIAL
FORT WORTH,
Texas – American
Airlines is partnering with the American Association of People with
Disabilities (AAPD) to create an award honoring the best U.S television
commercials featuring positive portrayals of people with disabilities.
Together, the two organizations will support and recognize the efforts put forth
by companies that feature disabled people in their television advertising in
creative and compelling ways.
“American
Airlines has a long history of diversity and inclusion and is proud to partner
with the AAPD to establish this award in honor of all of our employees,
customers and partners with disabilities,” said Will Ris, American’s Senior Vice
President - Government Affairs and member of the AAPD’s Board of Directors. “We
want to acknowledge creative companies who are supporting people with disabilities
and understand the business value of inclusive advertising.”
The
contest, set to begin in July, is scheduled to run for several weeks. Companies
and agencies will be able to submit their commercials, which will be judged by
a panel of experts to determine the best of the group. The final winner will
receive a highly-coveted month of free advertising airtime on the American
Airlines inflight entertainment system, making the winning commercial visible
to the tens of thousands of travelers the airline serves each day.
“With more than 56 million people with disabilities in the U.S.
The American Association of People
with Disabilities is the country’s largest cross-disability membership
organization with more than 100,000 members throughout the United States. American Airlines
Chairman and CEO Gerard Arpey announced this competition at AAPD’s Annual
Leadership Gala in Washington, D.C., on March 4.
About The American Association of
People with Disabilities
The American
Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the country's largest
cross-disability membership organization, organizes the disability community to
be a powerful voice for change – politically, economically, and socially.
AAPD was founded in 1995 to help unite the diverse community of people with
disabilities, including their family, friends and supporters, and to be a
national voice for change in implementing the goals of the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA). To learn more, visit the AAPD website: www.aapd.com.
About American Airlines
American Airlines, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection®
airlines serve 250 cities in 40 countries with, on average, more than 3,400
daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 900 aircraft.
American's award-winning Web site, AA.com®, provides users with easy
access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel
offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld®
Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the
airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and
benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve
nearly 700 destinations in over 140 countries and territories. American
Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR
Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com, We
know why you fly and AAdvantage are registered trademarks of American Airlines,
Inc. (NYSE: AMR)
AAPD & AA - definitely a wonderful partnership - kudos to all.
Posted by: Patricia Sprofera | March 26, 2009 at 07:58 PM