Winners of Non-Partisan Get-Out-the-Vote Web Video Contest Announced

Gramercy Communications Announces Winners of Non-Partisan Get-Out-the-Vote Web Video Contest

"Contest Aimed at Generation Y Voters Offers a Respite From Attack Ads"

ALBANY, NY -- (11/06/2006) -- Gramercy Communications has selected two Albany area college students as the winners of their GOTV Web Video Contest. Adam Mcdevitt, a senior history major at the University at Albany, and Andrew Bradt, a senior graphic design major at The Sage Colleges.

The two students will split a $700 first place prize, and three other entries will receive $100 for 'honorable mention.' Adam and Andrew collaborated on a non-partisan humorous animated video that highlighted several reasons why Gen Y voters should show up at the polls tomorrow. It is available for viewing on YouTube(tm) at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBKKdpRXJZM

Gramercy Communications, an Albany, N.Y. public relations and marketing consulting firm offered the $1000 in cash prizes to 18-25 year olds for the production of a non-partisan web video aimed at encouraging young people to vote.

"The Washington Post reported last week that $2 billion was spent this year on partisan advertisements," said Tom Nardacci, principal of Gramercy Communications. "These two students put together a quick witted and creative spot on short notice and I thank them for taking the time to participate. Imagine what they could have accomplished with a budget?"

Nardacci added that public national polling data suggests that young people are far from apathetic, particularly in terms of being aware of world affairs. "The rough and divisive nature of modern politics and the reflective mean spiritedness of political advertising, especially what we have seen this year, are far from inspiring," said Nardacci.

For his part, Nardacci said that in addition to putting up the $1,000 in cash, he had nearly 3,000 flyers distributed on college campuses in the Capital Region, sent and responded to over 100 e-mails, and reached out to various college groups.

When he was 23 years old, Nardacci announced he was a candidate for public office. That year he was elected Common Council President in his hometown, Rensselaer, N.Y. Two years later he lost a contentious race for Mayor by a narrow margin, and moved to New York City to attend graduate school at Columbia University. Tom began his career in Washington, D.C. on the staff of U.S. Congressman Mike McNulty (NY-21) and served as Director of Communications for New York Assemblyman Ron Canestrari (106 AD). He is a veteran of over a dozen federal, state, and local election campaigns.

-30-