2.12.2008 - 03:47pm ET

Dan Kirkpatrick, managing partner of Bozell Little Rock

(CSRwire) Little Rock, AR – Feb. 12, 2008 - When it comes to receiving recognition for communications strategies and campaigns in the utilities sector, the greatest satisfaction is derived from work that addresses the plight of low-income customers, according to Dan Kirkpatrick, managing partner for Bozell. That's why the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) Advocacy Excellence Award presented to Entergy Corporation holds special significance for Kirkpatrick and his creative staff in Little Rock.

The Advocacy Excellence Award recognizes leadership in developing effective advocacy programs that successfully promote state and local policies beneficial to utility customers. "As a three-time winner of this prestigious award, Entergy has set a national standard with its programs designed to help low-income residents who are living below the federal poverty level or are among the working poor," Kirkpatrick acknowledged. "The Entergy Low-Income Initiative stands out as a success story and a model for other industries to follow and Bozell is very proud to play a supportive role through our involvement with communications materials."

The broad-ranging Low-Income Initiative includes innovative education and communications strategies designed to leverage Entergy's corporate size and strength to become the nation's best ally of those who are dedicated to helping the poor.

"In the Mississippi River Delta region, where low-income families struggle every day to make ends meet, too many people are forced to make decisions between heat or food, air conditioning or medicine," Kirkpatrick noted. "Reaching these individuals with information about energy assistance programs can literally mean the difference between life and death."

Low-income customers are harder to reach with traditional communications, so Entergy relies on a grassroots approach, providing information through churches to those congregants who seek aid, inserting tips for simple weatherization projects in billing statements, and developing brochures on conservation measures. All materials are written in both English and Spanish and focus on practical economical bill-reduction methods that can help low-income customers pay their bills and keep the power on.

"There are no glitzy Super Bowl advertising or mega media buys involved with this initiative," Kirkpatrick advised. "This approach relies instead on straight talk and adopting new information channels that low-income customers prefer and trust. From its inception, the Entergy Initiative has seen a steady increase in requests for materials from low-income advocates, community action agencies and faith-based organizations.

"It's especially gratifying to know that by opening new channels of communication, we're helping low-income people to succeed and break through the cycle of poverty," Kirkpatrick added.

About Entergy Corporation

Entergy Corporation is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations. Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, and it is the second-largest nuclear generator in the United States. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.6 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy has annual revenues of more than $10 billion and approximately 14,500 employees.

About Bozell

Bozell is an independent, employee-owned full-service advertising and public relations agency based in Omaha, Neb., with offices in Kansas City, Little Rock and Scottsdale. The agency was founded by Leo Bozell and Morris Jacobs in Omaha in 1921. For more information, visit www.bozell.com.

About Dan Kirkpatrick

Dan, Managing Partner of the Little Rock office, is one of the region's most experienced and brilliant creative talents. He brings a unique perspective to his clients and their needs by looking beyond the creative into the multi-faceted aspects of audience knowledge, key messaging and media that deliver the results each and every campaign must meet. His rule for successful advertising: "Be on target. Be on strategy. Be making noise."

In 1978, Dan formed Kirkpatrick Associates, in Little Rock. In that company's 21 years of operation, it grew into a multi-million dollar, full service agency. It served local, region and national companies, such as Entergy Corporation, Mercedes Benz Trucks, Munro Inc., One National Bank, Riceland Foods and Taco Bell (regional cooperative). These and other clients brought Dan and his team experience in numerous business categories, including banking and finance; education; healthcare; manufacturing; professional services (e.g., legal firms); retail; quick serve restaurants and utility companies.

A new agency, Image & Strategy, was formed by Dan in 1999. In 2003, Image & Strategy was acquired and merged into Nicholson Kovac, of Kansas City, Missouri. Dan was responsible for the overall management of the office, as well as serving as creative director. New accounts acquired by the Nicholson Kovac/Little Rock office included Arkat Nutrition, Edafio Technologies, the accounting firm of JPMS Cox, and Mobile Health Services, among others.

Throughout his career, Dan's work has been recognized for its excellence by both the advertising and communications industry, as well as various business categories. He is the recipient of Addy awards, Prism awards, recognition from the Printing Industry Association of the South, and the Business Marketing Association, and others.

Dan was born in Illinois, and spent his early years living in Wisconsin before moving with his family to Arkansas. He resides in Little Rock with his wife, Rebecca, and their four children. Dan is an avid general aviation pilot, enjoys traveling and spending time on the basketball court. He is a graduate of Ouachita Baptist University and The Memphis Academy of Art.

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