Lexington paper honored with Ad Council's Crystal Bell Award

The Lexington (Ky.) Herald-Leader was recognized with the Ad Council's Crystal Bell award last week at the News Media Alliance's mediaXchange 2017 in New Orleans, La. Each year, this award is presented to a news organization for its extraordinary contributions to the Ad Council's public service campaigns.

The Ad Council, a national non-profit organization, is the largest producer of public service campaigns in the U.S. Through partnerships with non-profit organizations and federal government agencies, the Ad Council works to drive change on public issues through PSAs and innovative communications programs. All Ad Council campaigns are aired and run in donated media time and space.

This year's Crystal Bell Award was presented to the Lexington Herald-Leader for its exceptional generosity, leadership and commitment to driving change around social issues impacting the Central and Eastern Kentucky area. Through a partnership with the Ad Council that began in 2015, the Lexington Herald-Leader has provided significant visibility for three Ad Council campaigns including Foreclosure Prevention Assistance, Pathways to Employment – Grads of Life, and Goodwill.

"We're incredibly grateful to all of our newspaper partners for their continued support of our campaigns and causes," said Lisa Sherman, president and CEO of the Ad Council. "Through its partnership with the Ad Council, the Lexington Herald-Leader has demonstrated a deep commitment to community outreach and public service in the Central and Eastern Kentucky area. We are extremely grateful for the generous support that the Lexington Herald-Leader gives to our campaigns."

"The Lexington Herald-Leader/Kentucky.com Media Company makes it our mission to be the number one source of news and information for the community we serve," said President and Publisher Rufus M. Friday. "Part of that commitment is to provide important public service announcements to better the lives of our readers. We are grateful for our partnership with the Ad Council that allows us to deliver important messages such as the Making Housing Affordable and Graduate of Life campaigns to Central and Eastern Kentucky. Winning the Ad Council's prestigious Crystal Bell Award is a tremendous honor for us and we are deeply appreciative of this recognition."