HOUSTON, TX (May 25, 2004) — NextLevel Thinking, one of Houston’s premier strategic marketing firms, announced today that it received a Crystal Award from the Houston American Marketing Association (AMA) for Campaign of the Year.

Crystal Awards recognize various categories of marketing projects that have used creativity to achieve exceptional business results in a best of class manner. The award presented at the 18th Annual AMA Crystal Award banquet was for Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center’s Commit for Life campaign.

“Winning a Crystal is a big honor for us and more importantly for The Blood Center,” says Eric Poerschke, managing partner of NextLevel Thinking. “The panel of judges comprised of former AMA chapter presidents represents some of the best marketing minds in the country and we are proud of this achievement.”

The objective of the television campaign is to redefine what it means to be a regular blood donor. It turns the dreaded needle into the face of a loved one. It focuses on life. It pulls at the heartstrings of those that do donate and those that would donate.

The simple spots are very specific in their message, but the emotion and the appeal to donate blood once a quarter is very compelling. The pictures are of actual donors and recipients from our region and they are the focus of this campaign. In simple terms, Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center is getting out of the blood business and into the life business.