THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS SELECTED A WINNER IN THE 33rd ANNUAL TELLY AWARDS

The Telly Awards honored the Knights of Columbus for its Presidents' Day 2012 Commercial at the 33rd Annual Telly Awards. The Order won two bronze awards, one in the Regional TV & Multi-Market Cable category under the "Miscellaneous" grouping and the second for "Use of Graphics" in the same category.

Released by the Knights Feb. 17, the minute-long commercial highlights quotes from U.S. Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, Roosevelt, Kennedy and Reagan — each focused on the foundational role that God and religion play in American rights and government. The spot ran on national cable networks Feb. 17-20, as well as in regional markets from Connecticut to California.

The Telly Awards was founded in 1979 and is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs; the finest video and film productions; and online commercials, video and films. Winners represent the best work of respected advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators and corporate video departments from around the world.

A prestigious judging panel of more than 500 accomplished industry professionals, each a past winner of a Silver Telly and a member of The Silver Telly Council, judged the competition, upholding the historical standard of excellence that Telly represents. The organization received nearly 11,000 entries from all 50 states and numerous countries in this year's competition. Fewer than 10 percent of entries are chosen to receive a Silver Telly, and approximately 25 percent are chosen to receive a Bronze Telly.

The Telly statuettes are designed by the same firm that makes the Oscar® and Emmy®. In addition to the statuette, each entry chosen as a Silver or Bronze Winner is awarded a commemorative certificate.