Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, a  metro Atlanta nonprofit, has won $250,000 of in-kind marketing services through "Green for Good: Environmental Change," an environmental marketing challenge sponsored by Ideabar, a Cox Enterprises company. By telling a compelling story about how it is positively impacting the environment and its community, Chattahoochee Riverkeeper has been awarded in-kind marketing services, which could include research, branding and logo development, a creative advertising campaign, collateral design and website development. Ideabar, a world-class marketing and media agency, has offices in Atlanta and West Palm Beach, Fla. 

"Ideabar believes in the causes of purpose-driven brands with missions that change lives," says Ideabar Managing Director Amy Royster Bridger. "The Chattahoochee River is the most heavily used water resource in Georgia, and we are thrilled for the chance to help impact positive change through our collaboration."

Ten organizations competed in the challenge, which included an online community vote at https://greenforgood.ideabar.agency/, where more than 10,500 votes were cast during a two-week period. The winner of the community vote, which accounted for 25% of the total score, was the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance. WAWA received overwhelming community support with 40% of the total vote going to the nonprofit that improves quality of life in Atlanta's Proctor, Utoy, and Sandy Creek Watersheds by protecting, preserving and restoring natural resources.

The 10 finalists were judged based on the following criteria:

• Strengthening the connection between people and nature

• Ensuring healthy ecosystems and/or minimizes pollution

• Inspiring people to drive positive environmental change

• Enhancing human health

• Having a powerful story to tell

A Judges Panel evaluated each finalist against the established criteria for 25% of the total score. Judges included the following representatives throughout Cox Enterprises and the Atlanta community:

• Donna Hall, publisher - Atlanta Journal-Constitution

• Tyrene Hodge, senior manager, CSR Environmental Sustainability - Cox Enterprises

• Bob Jimenez, senior vice president, Corporate Affairs - Cox Enterprises

• John Kovac, senior vice president, Brand, Marketing & Creative - Cox Enterprises

• Stephanie Valdez Streaty, senior director, Corporate Responsibility - Cox Automotive

• Dave Williams, senior vice president, Public Policy, Infrastructure & Govt Affairs - Metro Atlanta Chamber

The remaining 50% of the score was comprised of evaluations by Ideabar agency employees including creative, research, media, interactive, operations, and account service teams (25%) and the Ideabar executive leadership team (25%).

Ideabar launched the 2019 pro bono program in Palm Beach County and awarded services to Loggerhead Marlinelife Center, a world-renowned sea turtle hospital in Juno Beach, Fla. The agency's 2020 program was open to metro Atlantanonprofits, where Ideabar operates an office and its parent company, Cox Enterprises, is based.