Public Interest Registry Announces .ORG Website Makeover Contest

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Oct 14, 2013, 09:00 ET

.ORG's Nonprofit Operator Launches Contest in Collaboration with OmniStudio to Help Organizations Advance Their Missions Online

RESTON, Va., Oct. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Public Interest Registry, the not-for-profit operator of the .ORG domain, today announced the launch of its .ORG Website Makeover Contest as part of an ongoing effort to empower nonprofit organizations and groups to effectively advance their causes online. Today through November 8, Public Interest Registry is accepting nominations from leaders and representatives of organizations and nonprofits for a chance to win a newly designed .ORG website from OmniStudio, a Washington, D.C.-based firm specialized in web design and consulting for nonprofit and advocacy groups.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130930/DC86885LOGO )

The .ORG Website Makeover Contest directly correlates to Public Interest Registry's enduring mission to promote the effective use of the Internet as a means to increase the awareness and impact of social good causes. The contest also comes on the heels of Public Interest Registry's own organizational rebranding and newly launched website, which aims to exemplify the organization's brand identity as the trustworthy, purposeful, spirited and collaborative operator of .ORG – the world's third largest top-level domain – and the soon-to-be-launched .NGO and .ONG domains.

"Like the individuals and organizations we support every day, we know how critical it is to have a strong brand identity and online marketing presence in order for a cause to be successful," said Brian Cute, CEO of Public Interest Registry. "As we look to realign the Public Interest Registry brand with our ongoing commitment to serve in the public interest, it seemed natural to extend the same opportunity to our fellow nonprofit colleagues."

Authorized representatives of any organization – from nonprofits and community groups to corporate foundations and arts and culture venues – are eligible to participate during the open nomination period and share how a newly designed website will help further its mission. A panel of judges will then select up to 10 contest finalists who will advance to the two-week open voting period beginning November 25 where members, supporters and the general public can vote for their favorite organization.

The winning organization will be given the opportunity to work with OmniStudio as the firm designs and develops a new .ORG website. OmniStudio has teamed with Public Interest Registry for the contest as a part of its annual ReachOut Project. Now in its fifth year, OmniStudio ReachOut 2014 aims to help charities and nonprofits revitalize their visual branding to better attract donations, volunteer participation and media attention.

"It's remarkable to see how much of a difference an organization can make in our community when they use the right platform, presentation, and tools," said Eileen Kessler, founder and CEO of OmniStudio. "The .ORG Website Makeover Contest will give a deserving organization the means to further communicate their mission. We're delighted to be working alongside Public Interest Registry on this contest to help give back to organizations that are committed to the greater good."

To enter, interested organizational representatives are encouraged to submit a nomination form online and official contest rules please visit www.pir.org/org-website-makeover-contest.

For more information about Public Interest Registry and OmniStudio's services, please visit: www.pir.org and www.omnistudio.com.

About Public Interest Registry
Public Interest Registry is a nonprofit corporation that operates the .ORG top-level domain -- the world's third largest "generic" top-level domain with more than 10 million domain names registered worldwide. As an advocate for collaboration, safety and security on the Internet, Public Interest Registry's mission is to empower the global noncommercial community to use the Internet more effectively, and to take a leadership position among Internet stakeholders on policy and other issues relating to the domain naming system. Public Interest Registry was founded by the Internet Society ( http://www.internetsociety.org ) in 2002 and is based in Reston, Virginia, USA.

About OmniStudio
Located in Washington DC, OmniStudio has been instrumental in the communications activities of local, national and international institutions. Omni shares the goals and passions of our clients, especially in the areas of education, health care, the environment, and human rights. OmniStudio provides strategy, content, design, and development for online and print media including websites, newsletters, advertising, annual reports, social media, and conference promotion.

SOURCE Public Interest Registry