The Penn State Dance Marathon in conjunction with Pennsylvania State University is seeking a public relations firm to aid in the development of the organization’s communication strategy. Penn State Dance Marathon (THON) is a year-long fundraising and awareness campaign for the fight against childhood cancer.
Each year, more than 15,000 Penn State student volunteers dedicate their time and effort to THON, making it the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. These efforts culminate every February in a 46 hour no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon in the Bryce Jordan Center on Penn State’s Campus in University Park, Pa. THON’s sole beneficiary, Four Diamonds, not only covers treatment costs for childhood cancer patients at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital, but also funds innovative research to find a cure. Since 1977, Penn State students have raised more than $127 million For The Kids.
THON is a year long effort and has issued an RFP to find a public relations firm to provide strategic guidance while the content THON produces remains student-driven. THON receives coverage regularly and media previously has included ABC World News with Diane Sawyer, GMA Live with Lara Spencer, and Sports Center with John Buccigross.
Objectives for the selected PR agency include Strategic Content and Communication Guidance, Editorial Calendar Development, regular media relations activity and the like.
THON Weekend this year is February 19-21, 2016. The firm selected by Penn State to provide public relations services for THON shall enter into a Professional Services Agreement with the University. The University’s Professional Services Agreement is attached. Please confirm your willingness to execute this agreement.
More information may be found here:
Instagram: @pennstatethon
Twitter: @THON
Facebook: Penn State Dance Marathon