Ground Media and Glaad named finalists in four categories at the 4th Annual Anthem Awards for groundbreaking “Here We Are” video campaign

October 28, 2024
October 28, 2024
Campaign Confronts Misinformation, Elevates Transgender Visibility, and Advocates for Equality

Washington, DC and New York, NY — October 28, 2024 – Ground Media, a pioneer in data-driven, purpose-led storytelling, and GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, announced today that their Here We Are campaign has been named a finalist in four categories at the 4th Annual Anthem Awards. The campaign, which champions transgender visibility and acceptance, is recognized across multiple Diversity, Equity & Inclusion categories.

The Anthem Awards honor impactful, purpose-driven work from organizations around the world. This year’s competition drew over 2,300 entries, and the "Here We Are" campaign was selected as one of the highest-scoring projects. Winners, including the Anthem Community Voice Award, which is chosen by the public, will be announced on November 19, 2024.

“We are incredibly proud to support the brave people whose powerful voices are helping to build a better world,” said David Rochkind, CEO of Ground Media. “Through the ‘Here We Are’ campaign, we’ve had the privilege of working alongside GLAAD to confront misinformation and elevate visibility. The real work is done by those telling their stories, and we’re honored to be a part of this journey toward a safer, more equal world for everyone.” 

One of the voices in the campaign is Nadya Lopez, a 20-year-old student, artist and transgender woman from Miami, featured alongside her parents. "Transgender people just want to live without fear," Lopez said. "I'm not political—I just want the world to know that we are here, our lives are filled with joy, and we're not going anywhere."

“At a time when anti-transgender rhetoric and harmful legislation are on the rise, it’s essential that Americans hear directly from transgender people about their lives and the importance of acceptance,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD. “Through the ‘Here We Are’ campaign, GLAAD and Ground Media are challenging misconceptions and showcasing the strength and resilience of transgender individuals and their families. This campaign is helping build understanding and demonstrating that everyone deserves the right to live authentically and safely.”

Celebrate Ground Media and GLAAD by Voting for the Anthem Community Voice Award

The public can help Ground Media and GLAAD win the Anthem Community Voice Award by voting until October 31, 2024. Supporters can cast their votes at https://www.ground.media/ or https://www.anthemawards.com/

About “Here We Are”

Here We Are is a groundbreaking storytelling campaign produced by GLAAD and Ground Media, focused on amplifying the voices of transgender individuals to foster acceptance and combat discrimination. The campaign features 13 video vignettes and two radio spots of transgender adults and their supportive families. Comcast NBCUniversal, TikTok, iHeartRadio, and Paramount are among companies to donate ad space to run the ads nationwide. Here We Are was named an AdAge Editor’s Pick. For more information, visit http://HereWeAreNow.com.

About Ground Media

Ground Media is an award-winning, data-driven storytelling studio committed to helping mission-driven organizations achieve measurable impact. Through its proprietary platform, StoryHeat, Ground Media transforms complex data into dynamic narratives that inspire action and foster real-world change. Ground Media partners with nonprofits, foundations, socially responsible brands, agencies, and political campaigns to amplify their messages and create stories that truly matter. Recent clients include Disney, Johnson & Johnson, National Geographic, GLAAD, Harvard University, Global Fund Advocates Network, and CARE. For more information, visit https://www.ground.media/ or contact us at impact@ground.media.

About GLAAD

GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance by tackling issues that shape the narrative and spark cultural change. Through media advocacy, GLAAD challenges discrimination, defends hard-earned progress, and creates a world where everyone is free to live the life they love. For more information, visit www.glaad.org or connect with @GLAAD on social media.

More news
November 19, 2024
Ground Media and GLAAD Win Four Anthem Awards for Groundbreaking “HERE WE ARE” Campaign
Campaign Promotes Transgender Visibility, Combats Misinformation, and Advocates for Equality
November 19, 2024
How the Harris Campaign’s Messaging is Driving Voter Engagement on the Economy
In the final Election '24: Stories That Win report of the series, GROUND Media, in collaboration with Swayable, examined how the Harris campaign is addressing economic messaging to resonate with voters. The analysis focused on two ads that approach economic issues differently: one highlighting personal economic stories and the other centered on policy achievements. The findings reveal critical insights into what works—and what doesn’t—when it comes to connecting with voters on this key issue.
October 31, 2024
Recap: The Future of Strategic Storytelling at the Mid-Atlantic MarComm Summit
Ground Media’s Founder and CEO, David Rochkind, led a compelling panel on "The Future of Strategic Storytelling" at the Mid-Atlantic Marcomm Sumit on Wednesdsy October 31, 2024 in Arlington, VA. Joined by industry leaders Marley Rosario and Jesse Tolkan, the session attracted marketing professionals eager to explore how storytelling is evolving to meet new demands in persuasion campaigns, with a focus on moving beyond emotional storytelling to achieving measurable impact.
October 28, 2024
Reproductive Rights and the 2024 Election: Key Insights from Harris Campaign Ads
As the debate over reproductive rights intensifies in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election, the Harris campaign has taken a strategic approach to messaging around this critical issue. In collaboration with Swayable, GROUND Media analyzed the effectiveness of three ads centered on reproductive rights to determine their impact on voter sentiment and choice.
October 28, 2024
Storytelling vs. Policy: What Drives Voter Persuasion?
In the latest installment of Election '24: Stories That Win, GROUND Media, in partnership with Swayable, conducted a test to uncover the factors that drive voter persuasion. Two distinct ads from Kamala Harris’s 2024 campaign were analyzed—one focusing on her personal journey and character, the other on her policy track record, specifically related to immigration. The results provide critical insights into what resonates most with voters.
October 28, 2024
Harris Campaign Launch Ad Makes Gains in Key Swing States
A new GROUND Media analysis in partnership with Swayable reveals that the Harris campaign’s launch ad is gaining traction in critical swing states, according to a recent survey conducted by Swayable using Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs). This marks the first in a series of GROUND Media reports under the banner of Election '24: Stories That Win, which aims to analyze how campaign storytelling is shaping the race.
October 28, 2024
Ground Media to sponsor Mid-Atlantic Marcom Summit, lead strategic storytelling panel, and showcase storyheat platform
StoryHeat’s Early Testing Aligns Campaigns With Audience Expectations And Emotional Drivers To Reduce Missed Messaging, Maximize Quantifiable Storytelling ROI
October 28, 2024
Ground Media study finds Trump’s anti-trans ad fails politically, but dangerously erodes public support for trans people
Ground Media and GLAAD Launched “Here We Are” Trans Storytelling Ads in Battleground and Other Key States to Counter Anti-Trans Narratives