National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

NAMI is a national organization that supports people with mental illnesses.  Since 1998, Katy Atkinson & Associates has worked with NAMI’s Colorado Chapter to educate the media, business community, and government leaders regarding the truths and fallacies about mental illness. 

KAA conducted media training sessions for NAMI Colorado Board members and spokespeople and continually identifies and creates opportunities for them to use these skills.  KAA prepared a media relations handbook used by NAMI Colorado’s local chapters.

KAA also helped NAMI Colorado establish events to honor those legislators, business leaders, and media outlets that help raise awareness and erase the stigma about mental illness. 
The firm developed communication materials to educate the public including Mental Illness in Colorado, an annual statistical compilation widely used by state officials and the media.   Along with Media 3, KAA produced a 15-minute video on schizophrenia called Horizons of Hope, which has been provided to legislators, community leaders, and the media.  Many legislators use NAMI’s information when they communicate with constituents about these issues.

As a result of all of this, NAMI is widely seen and sought out as an expert on mental illness.  More often than not, NAMI Colorado now leads the debate on these issues in the legislature and media whereas stereotypes and misinformation dominated the discussions previously.

Yes on C&D (2005)

Colorado was facing a major fiscal shortfall in 2005 due to a glitch in a voter-approved constitutional amendment   Referendum C was designed to fix the problem in order to pay for critical healthcare, education, and transportation necessities.  The Yes on C&D campaign featured the largest coalition ever built around a ballot issue, with more than 1,000 organizations signing on. 

Katy Atkinson served as Communications Director for the campaign and was part of the inner circle that mapped out strategy and tactics.  She was the primary spokesperson for the campaign, speaking to countless groups while also training others to address this complex issue. 

Voters agreed to take a five-year timeout from the constitutional revenue limits, and approved Referendum C, 52-48. 

Colorado Community College System (CCCS)

The thirteen state community colleges in Colorado serve more than 107,000 students annually. Katy Atkinson & Associates worked with CCCS four years ago on a campaign to educate potential students about the benefits of a community college education. KAA worked produced a statewide radio advertising campaign that succeeded in raising the visibility of the Community College System and reminding Coloradans of the opportunities available at their neighborhood community college.

Amendment 36 (2004) Coloradans Against a Really
Stupid Idea

Amendment 36 would have divided the state’s nine electoral votes proportionally among  the presidential candidates, diluting the state’s national political influence.  This opposition campaign was a great example of framing the debate in a memorable and effective way.  Katy Atkinson led these efforts; overseeing message development, fundraising, advertising and polling. Because of the potential for Amendment 36 to throw the outcome of the 2004 presidential election into chaos, the campaign drew extensive national and international attention.  Katy presented the opposition’s arguments to reporters and media organizations from Trinidad to Tokyo.  

Colorado voters agreed that this was a really stupid idea and rejected the amendment by a 65-35 margin.

Amendment 50 (2008) Coloradans for Community Colleges

Amendment 50 revised Colorado’s limited stakes gaming laws, earmarking most of the new tax revenue for the state’s community colleges.  Katy served as Communications Director and helped build the coalition that got behind the amendment.  KAA also helped develop the campaign’s communications material and website.  The message very effectively emphasized the “win-win” logic behind helping an industry grow while enhancing education opportunities. 

The campaign was successful, with voters approving the amendment by a 59-41 margin.