National Safety Council Awards Driver Safety Campaign to Qorvis MSLGROUP

WASHINGTON, April 16, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Safety Council (NSC), a nonprofit organization with the mission to save lives by preventing injuries and deaths, and the University of Iowa Public Policy Center have selected Qorvis MSLGROUP to help launch a national campaign to educate drivers about new safety technologies.

NSC and the University of Iowa Public Policy Center are developing an educational campaign to include a website, MyCarDoesWhat.org, and engaging, shareable, consumer-friendly videos and graphics. They have awarded Qorvis MSLGROUP, part of the MSLGROUP global network, a $3.25 million contract to develop creative and engagement strategies that raise awareness of the campaign and drive consumers to the website. MyCarDoesWhat.org will include information about a variety of safety technologies including back up/rear cameras, blind spot monitoring system, forward collision alert and other systems.

"Driver safety is one of our primary concerns and there is growing evidence that many drivers are unaware  of many new safety technologies that are in production now and rapidly emerging," said Daniel McGehee, director, Transportation and Vehicle Safety Research Program at the University of Iowa Public Policy Center. "Our program couples scientific research with public education to help drivers understand how to effectively use the safety features of their vehicles."

John Ulczycki, vice president of Communications and Advocacy at the National Safety Council, said the Council chose Qorvis MSLGROUP to develop the campaign because of the agency's automotive and public health experience.

"The Qorvis MSLGROUP team can help leverage partners within its network and complement our internal capabilities," Ulczycki said. "Most important, Qorvis MSLGROUP has worked on integrated campaigns that change behavior. We're excited to work with them on what we know will be a mutually beneficial partnership."

"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the National Safety Council and the University of Iowa on this important issue," said Michael J. Petruzzello, president of Qorvis MSLGROUP. "Our team is committed to helping people 'Know More and Drive Safer.'"

The campaign will be led by Sheila McLean, senior vice president and North America leader in the agency's global Corporate and Brand Citizenship practice. McLean has deep experience in automotive safety and previously led the agency's General Motors Co. global account and safety and environmental affairs at Chrysler. The team includes automotive industry experts from MSLGROUP offices in Detroit and SMG Performance Marketing, a sister agency of MSLGROUP, who will lead media planning, buying and measurement for the campaign.

Qorvis MSLGROUP, based in Washington, D.C., will provide media relations, advertising and public affairs support to the NSC.  Qorvis MSLGROUP works with corporate and non-profit clients including trade associations as well as sovereign governments to build and protect reputation, change behavior, educate stakeholders and advance policies. To learn more about MSLGROUP, please visit: www.qorvismsl.com.

About the National Safety Council
Founded in 1913 and chartered by Congress, the National Safety Council, nsc.org, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to save lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy. NSC advances this mission by partnering with businesses, government agencies, elected officials and the public in areas where we can make the most impact – distracted driving, teen driving, workplace safety, prescription drug overdoses and Safe Communities.

About the University of Iowa Public Policy Center
The Transportation & Vehicle Safety Research Program at the University of Iowa Public Policy Center works to improve technology design through a better understanding of human behavior.  The program is funded by the government and industry and conducts original interdisciplinary research on how automotive safety technologies and public policy react.  The Center is an interdisciplinary academic research hub that investigates the most important issues affecting our daily lives with the goal of providing both policy makers and the public with objective information to make our lives and communities thrive in sustainable ways through academic research.

About MSLGROUP
MSLGROUP is Publicis Groupe's strategic communications and engagement group, advisors in all aspects of communication strategy: from consumer PR to financial communications, from public affairs to reputation management and from crisis communications to experiential marketing and events. With more than 3,500 people across close to 100 offices worldwide, MSLGROUP is also the largest PR network in fast-growing China and India, as well as Europe. The group offers strategic planning and counsel, insight-guided thinking and big, compelling ideas – followed by thorough execution. mslgroup.com | Twitter: @msl_group | LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/mslgroup | Facebook: facebook.com/MSLGROUP

About Publicis Groupe
Publicis Groupe [Euronext Paris FR0000130577, CAC 40] is a global leader in marketing, communication, and business transformation. In a world marked by increased convergence and consumer empowerment, Publicis Groupe offers a full range of services and skills: digital, technology & consulting with Publicis.Sapient (SapientNitro, Sapient Global Markets, Sapient Government Services, Razorfish Global, DigitasLBi, Rosetta) - the world's largest most forward-thinking digitally centered platform focused exclusively on digital transformation in an always-on world - as well as creative networks such as BBH, Leo Burnett, Publicis Worldwide, Saatchi & Saatchi, public affairs, corporate communications and events with MSLGROUP, ad tech solutions with VivaKi, media strategy, planning and buying through Starcom MediaVest Group and ZenithOptimedia, healthcare communications, with Publicis Healthcare Communications Group (PHCG), and finally, brand asset production with Prodigious. Present in 108 countries, the Groupe employs more than 75,000 professionals.

publicisgroupe.com | Twitter: @PublicisGroupe | Facebook: facebook.com/publicisgroupe | LinkedIn: Publicis Groupe | youtube.com/user/PublicisGroupe | Viva la Difference!

SOURCE Qorvis MSLGROUP