'Shattered Dreams' wins 2 more top awards

The Emmy Award-winning “Shattered Dreams” won two more top awards Saturday night at the local American Advertising Awards dinner.

The City’s Public Information Office and City Videographer Brian Groves won a Gold Award and the Best of San Angelo Award for “Shattered Dreams,” a dramatic video telling of the fatal consequences of teenage drinking and driving. The 12-minute video, co-produced by Groves and Angelo State University Multimedia Specialist Brandon Whitford, earned a perfect score from the judges.

“Shattered Dreams” was an effort between the City of San Angelo, ASU, the San Angelo Independent School District, local law enforcement and San Angelo’s two hospitals to promote responsible decision-making among high school students regarding underage drinking and impaired driving. It did so by fully immersing teens in a visual experience that combined a short film and a live element showing how irresponsible choices can end dreams for young people and others.

“The awards have been amazing,” Groves said. “But the aim was always to open eyes about the deadly danger of teenage drinking and driving. The emotional responses from teenagers and parents who have watched the video has honestly been all the validation we ever wanted.”

The Public Information Office also won a Silver Award for its “Cool Cat Dudes” video campaign to encourage cat adoptions from the San Angelo Animal Shelter. Each spot features a cat, along with its male owner talking about the joys of feline companionship. The shelter has seen a rise in cat adoptions since the videos began airing.

The award-winning videos can be viewed at youtube.com/CityofSanAngeloTx and on SATV, Suddenlink channel 17.

Information courtesy of the City of San Angelo Public Information Division