Orange County Ad Agency Owner Wins International Leadership Award For Helping Launch Social Justice Movement

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. --(Business Wire)--

Wes Phillips, CEO and co-owner of Orange (News - Alert) County-based advertising and marketing firm, Orange Label Art + Advertising, is the winner of Vistage International's 2012 Member Leadership Award for IMPACT, one of the CEO peer advisory organization's six cultural imperatives. Phillips was selected out of 16,000 Vistage members from 15 different countries for his inspiring leadership and Orange Label's impactful work with the development of Ageless Alliance, a social justice movement charged with eliminating elder abuse and neglect in our society. The award was announced at the Think Big Vistage 2013 International Conference in Dallas on January 25, 2013.

"A thriving community is dependent upon valuing everyone's contribution, so eliminating elder abuse, whether physical, emotional or financial, is imperative," Phillips shared following the announcement. "I am humbled by this recognition and I am honored by the commitment and devotion of the entire Orange Label team to help launch this social justice movement."

Phillips' team at Orange Label partnered with UC Irvine's Center of Excellence on Elder Abuse and Neglect in early 2012 to develop a messaging strategy that would resonate with the community and increase awareness of elder abuse. After conducting primary research with older adults, caregivers and industry experts, Orange Label developed a campaign theme and brand identity that elevated the cause to a social justce movement. The Ageless Alliance: United Against Elder Abuse was fully expressed through powerful core messaging and an integrated campaign strategy consisting of a website, videos, broadcast PSA's, event collateral, an email blast template, promotional items and social media outreach leveraging Facebook, Twitter (News - Alert) and YouTube.

Dwight Frindt, Wes' Vistage Chair of 19 years, nominated Wes for the Leadership Award for Impact. "Wes' declaration for Orange Label to create thriving brand leadership and his stand to empower others allowed his team to seize an opportunity to make a difference in society. His ongoing commitment for the shared vision of Orange Label and dedication to develop others is part of who he is as a leader."

As a result of Phillips' leadership of the Orange Label team and the pioneering efforts of the experts at UC Irvine's Center of Excellence, Ageless Alliance was invited to officially launch at a White House symposium on June 14, 2012. On June 15, 2012, President Obama signed a proclamation officially declaring the date World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The movement has since garnered additional local and national recognition, hundreds of online signups, and pledges from community leaders, law enforcement and politicians to stop elder abuse.

According to Dr. Laura Mosqueda, Professor and Chair of the Department of Family Medicine and Director of the Program in Geriatrics at UC Irvine, "Elder abuse touches millions of Americans and launching the Ageless Alliance is a very important part of mobilizing people across the country to become aware and involved in preventing it. Orange Label Art + Advertising played an integral role in launching the movement and we are very appreciative of their support and expertise."

To learn more about Phillips' recognition for IMPACT and work with the Ageless Alliance, view the following video aired at the Think Big Vistage 2013 International Conference: http://www.youtube.com/watch v=xB8bJNjdVQM

About Orange Label Art + Advertising Orange Label Art + Advertising is one of Orange County's longest-standing privately held advertising agencies. Founded in 1972, the agency currently represents clients from across the United States, in a broad range of specialties. The agency principals are Wes Phillips, Rochelle Reiter and Debbie Nagel. Key differentiators for the company include its 'Orange Exploration™' approach to fact-finding, powerful 'View from the Field™' research technique and 'The Juice', different-and-better client branding method. For more information about Orange Label Art + Advertising, visit www.orangelabeladvertising.com.