Gracie Communications

Earlier this week, I bought two designer coffees for a client meeting and spent just under $10. In less than an hour both coffees were gone and the cups were recycled.

Tomorrow, as part of a World AIDS Day text-to-give campaign – #knowpositive – for the Indiana AIDS Fund, I can text KNOW to 20222 and donate $10 for a rapid HIV test. With a rapid HIV test, someone can know whether or not he or she is HIV positive in less than an hour. And if the test turns out to be positive, she or he can get into care management and treatment that much faster.

Same amount of money. Same hour. Hugely different impact.

Not only does an HIV test put the person taking the test “in the know,” it also prevents the further spread of the disease by an unknowing carrier. With national statistics showing that 1 in 4 Americans with the disease don’t know they have HIV, it is as important to get an HIV test as it was 30 years ago when the first case of AIDS was diagnosed.

25% of those who have HIV don’t even know it. It’s a sobering statistic. But in this age of social media, we can all do our part to change that statistic. And that’s pretty empowering.

Here’s what you can do:

1. Text KNOW to 20222 tomorrow to donate $10 for an HIV test for someone without insurance or on the margins of society.

2. Tell others about the #knowpositive campaign on December 1. Donate your Facebook status update for the cause. RT a #knowpositive tweet. Follow the Indiana AIDS Fund.

The Indiana AIDS Fund’s goal is 500 tests in one day. Will you join me in helping them reach it?

Six years ago when I started Gracie Communications, one of my first priorities was to establish a giving policy for my business. Supporting causes and worthy nonprofits, especially in my greater Indianapolis community, has always been important to me personally. As a new business owner, I decided to demonstrate my commitment to philanthropy by designating a percentage of my gross earnings to charity. You might be surprised to know that’s not as simple as it sounds. That’s why I’m asking for your help. (more…)

There is a lot that a communications campaign can do, but it can’t take the place of good, old-fashioned customer service. There are many companies out there that talk a good game but how well do they really listen to their customers and try to meet their (ever-changing) needs? (more…)

If you are under 18, you aren’t reading this blog post. But if I texted it to you, you might.  Texting is the single most popular way for teens to communicate. Earlier this week, a few Indy area teens helped me understand why. (more…)

On Thursday, I attended the Indiana Cultural Tourism Conference. I was disappointed about the sparse crowd, especially after keynote speaker Andrew Taylor, Director of the Bolz Center for Arts Administration at the Wisconsin School of Business, shared his views about the concept of place in the Internet era.  (more…)

For nearly three hours today, I hosted a group of ten Indianapolis-based freelance public relations and marketing professionals – all women - at my home.  It was over the lunch hour and everyone pitched in – and I’m not just talking about the food. (more…)

I had a Mom just like Mary Kinney’s when I was growing up. My mother always made sure I said thank you and taught me to give back to the community.  That’s why I asked Mary if I could re-post her blog from United Way of Central Indiana here.  And why I’m going to ask you to go to www.liveunited.tv and vote today, tomorrow AND Friday so a Hoosier can show the country how we do volunteering in the Heartland.   (more…)