Category: awards

The “U.S. Make a Difference” Awards

Approximately One Month Later

So here we are approximately a month later with the news that it is now a signed and sealed reality that the ten year tradition of doing the Platinum PIAs Awards is acting as the inspiration and outgrowth of the “U.S. Make a Difference” Awards. In short, if you go to USmakeadifference.com right now you can participate if you desire in mounting the first celebration of the new approach.

Keeping Two Influences

Also, yes, we are still keeping the Big Apple Awards wing for education and the Houdini Day influence for magician who are nominated for making a difference in their communities.

Recognizing those Making a Difference

So we hope to see you soon as we pursue the important mission which is to recognize those who are making a difference in their communities!

Occasionally We Will Do a Post

Which way will the Platinum PIAs go? What entity will they finally select as the awards show that will carry on their mission to make a difference?

Humanitarian Work

Although the Platinum PIAs have shut down after a decade, we are proud to say that many have volleyed for the phrase “From the people who brought you the Platinum PIAs Awards.” If you’ve been following this blog it has been a bit confusing with all the choices we have had. We worked hard on this because we wanted the successor to the PIAs be an entity that would carry on the humanitarian work we have strived to bring you.

Communities

The proposal we have finally selected (and this is the final one) was the debut of an awards show that is brought to you by DIYdigi.com. For those of you who do not know what DIYdigi is, it is an organization that help people with media to realize their dreams and make a difference in their communities.

US Make a Difference

So what is the awards show that DIYdigi is producing and will pick up helping the US to make a difference. It is only logical that the Platinum PIAs will have chosen The “US Make a Difference” Awards, located at USA Make a Difference. The great thing about this website and show, is that it literally has “US Make a Difference” right in its name. So it mission and name are aligned . We will keep you posted about this as more information is available.

How to Start Your Own Awards Show


People Want to Keep the Name

Let’s approach first things first which is a quick update regarding changing the name of the Platinum PIAs to either USAcreate.com Awards or the Big Apple Awards. There was a serious backlash against changing the name Platinum PIAs, so although this decision is not yet final, a working agreement has been reached.

A Strange Solution

Via this agreement, the Platinum PIAs will continue to be named the Platinum PIAs while USAcreate.com and BigAppleAwards.com will become subdivisions.

Still a Work in Progress

For businesses all over the USA, USAcreate.com will have its own line of awards under the Platinum PIAs moniker. This goes also for BigAppleAwards.com which will be the presenter to educators and performing artists. Thank you for bearing with us, we will soon let you know if this approach is permanent.

Your Own Awards Show!

Our next Platinum PIAs Ceremony will be our 11th one! And through doing this process over and over and over again, we’ve learned a thing or two about creating, promoting and presenting an awards show. Have you ever thought about wanting to start your own awards show? If so, this post is for you especially if you are a part of the media industry including video, film and the web! If you aren’t already in the industry, you can get tips here on starting your own company or agency.

Set Goals

Ironically, the first step in the awards ceremony creation process is to pick the right name. As of late we haven’t been doing great with that one, but things will be resolved in the near future. The next thing you’re going to want to do is write two to three paragraphs about what your awards show is and how it will help the community or solve a problem.

Calling in Favors?

This is followed by setting a budget. We’re of course assuming you have a budget. If you do not have one you can figure out the numbers of what is needed and seek donors for help. Or you can even go the no budget approach. While this is not the best way to do things, it can be done using a free space and calling in favors. Or you may already be in the video, film and web industry in which case you’ll likely have the contacts. Not in the industry? No problem. Remember, you can get tips here.

Awards Show Tune

If you have a musician involved, you might consider having this person write, sing and record a song about your awards show. We have one for the Platinum PIAs and portions of it are used throughout the ceremony.

Reach Your Goals

Now you need to jot down all the elements for your awards show, with the list being gotten from your budget. Be sure to track every component as you reach goals.

Don’t Forget the Actual Award Statue

One thing you should do is have a designated staff including someone to take tickets and hand out programs, another person to MC etc. Don’t forget the awards statues themselves. If you can get some nice awards made you will make the winners happy and they’ll more likely keep the award for years to come!

Meet the Stamas Bros


Bros to the Rescue

And the controversy continues. Should the name Platinum PIAs remain the moniker or should it be changed to Big Apple Awards or even USAcreate.com Awards? We’re busily trying to decide that question and have brought the Stamas Bros on for their feedback. The Bros recently consulted on an Over50USA website post.

Sorting Out Three Possibilities

Thus far feedback from readers has been pretty much even between the three, so we’ve decided to bring in some help in the form of none other than the legends in their own minds: the Stamas Bros!

Technical Difficulties

Due to technical details we are unable to bring to you the actual dialogue we had with the bros, but we can tell you this: they were very helpful.

Bros Suggestions

The Stamas Bros were of the opinion that the best way to make a decision was to let YOU decided. We have in the past gotten some feedback on this topic, but never in a very specific way.

Next Steps

So likely what we are going to do is via our newsletter get the word out to our cherished audience and ask them what they think.

Another Option

Another option that the Bros offered up was the idea of having the PIAs be much more than your average awards show. It’s three shows in all! The Platinum PIAs, The Big Apple Awards and The USAcreate.com Awards all in one extravaganza!

Let Us Know What You Think

We really are open at this point to all ideas and solutions. Do you prefer one title over the other? Do you like the idea of three shows in one? Also, we are not ageist and nominate those of any age including Over 50.

What We “Got” from the Bros

It was clear that the Stamas Bros never forgot the most important thing which is our mission which is “to recognize those businesses, educators and artists of all kinds who are making a difference in their communities.

Apples or Oranges: Seeking a New Name for the Platinum PIAs



The Search for an Answer

And thus the search for an answer to the question “Big Apple Awards” versus “USAcreate.com Awards” continues. What should the new name for the Platinum PIAs be? The editor of the popular website Over50USA thinks it should be named the Over 50 USA Awards. Please editor, let’s not make this even more confusing!

New Title Anyone?

As many of you know the Platinum PIAs have been in existence since 2010 and as of this writing, a decade later, there is the desire from within the organization to come up with a new title to refresh the awards. This was the brainchild of one of the members of the Stamas Bros. Who are the Stamas Bros and why should we listen to them? In fact we should NOT lend them an ear.

Uncovering the Purpose

Why? Because in part there are other organizations with similar titles, plus, PIAs producers are seeking to further the meaning of the organization. They wish to potentially be more location specific (Big Apple Awards) and/or clearer about what the awards are. The same editor of Over50USA again asserted that the awards should be for those who qualify for A.A.R.P.

Contributors to Their Communities

Clarifications appear necessary to crystalize that that the aim of the awards is to recognize business owners, entrepreneurs and artists of any kind (fine arts to performing arts) who are making a difference by contributing to their communities.

Marketing Content Can Make a Difference

Recognition also extends to how a business or artist uses resources like marketing to get a positive image out to the world about their community.

Stamas Bros and Community Pride

Take for example the Stamas Bros. They are a popular group (strangely) known for their offbeat sense of humor and pride in their communities. Stamas Bro Homer resides in Manhattan, NY, whereas Stamas Bro Aristotle is a community activist 3,000 miles away in his neighborhood North Fork that is known for being located at the exact center of California!

Opening it Up to You

It is at this time we open the question up to you. What do you think the Platinum PIAs should now be called? The Big Apple Awards? The USAcreate.com Awards? or something else? We want to hear from you! So please contact us now!

Platinum Pias Nominees are Named

Things have been quite busy here at the Platinum Pias headquarters with the holidays and all, so we didn’t get around to formally announcing yesterday’s latest.

The big news is that the nominees of the 2017 Platinum Pias have been named.

Please check it out if you haven’t already. As you will see there are some new categories and the emphasis is on artists,

We’ve been receiving questions along the lines of “Why just artists?” The answer to this question is that it was a natural evolution of the Pias finding its “voice.” A lot of artists gravitated toward the Platinum Pias Awards shows, so to “go all artists” so to speak, was a natural step.

Platinum Pias Date is Set

platinum-pias-logoBreaking news from the 8th Annual Platinum Pias Community Awards Show for Artists front – the date has been set for the program! It is, Monday, March 20, 2017 at 6:30 pm at the Downtown Community Television Center at 87 Lafayette Street, New York, NY.

Yes, we are doing a second year at DCTV. The environment is very conducive to neighborhood gatherings and therefore appropriate for the Platinum Pias. The exciting thing about this ceremony is that it will focus on artists who are making a difference in their NYC and international communities.

For example, the much heralded “Thrillumentary” International Band have been nominated with its members collectively making music from their respective countries.

The performance will again be, as it was last year, at the 7th Annual Pias, a combination of video introductions with live readings of the winners.

Tickets will be available to subscribers of the NYC Make a Difference newsletter.