Education Minnesota launches ‘I Raise My Hand’ media campaign
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ST. PAUL, Minn., Feb. 23, 2011: Education Minnesota launched the latest phase of its education awareness efforts today by introducing the “I Raise My Hand” campaign.
“I Raise My Hand” is a multi-media campaign aimed at uniting Minnesotans in support of our state’s greatest resources: our youth and our schools. The campaign will utilize television, online, and print advertisements, as well as direct marketing and a “microsite,” www.iraisemyhand.com, to get all of Minnesota behind the mission to support and improve our strong education system.
The premise behind the campaign is simple: Raising your hand is a classic sign in a classroom – and a global sign for someone who’s willing to step forward to help out. “You raise your hand because you’re ready and willing to do your part,” said Education Minnesota President Tom Dooher. “It’s a proactive choice and a powerful decision. And it’s a way to engage Minnesotans in the conversation of ‘how can we support our schools?’”
Through the campaign, Minnesotans will be asked to make “pledges” to support their schools through the “I Raise My Hand” microsite and to follow up on those pledges in their own communities.
Education Minnesota is making the first pledge, which reads:
“I raise my hand to more students raising their hands. To students believing they can achieve anything. I raise my hand to educators, parents and the community working together to make a positive difference. To ensure that every student in every Minnesota community has the best possible learning environment.
“I raise my hand to become part of something bigger. I raise my hand for better education.”
The theme of raising your hand will be reinforced through statewide television ads that will appear primarily on news broadcasts and some cable networks, as well as during the Minnesota State High School League tournaments. Online and print advertising will also carry the campaign message, as will a new “I Raise My Hand” Facebook page.
“In times like these, we need collaboration, and that’s exactly what this campaign is calling for,” Dooher said. “It’s about shared responsibility. We can enact meaningful change, we can close the achievement gap and we can make schools better tomorrow than they are today, but only if we work together. It will take all of us working together – educators, students, parents and communities – to make that positive difference.”
The first phase of the campaign is slated to run through the early part of spring 2011, with more campaign elements added in the months to come.
The first television ad is available for viewing on www.educationminnesota.org and www.iraisemyhand.com.
February 23, 2011