GEENA DAVIS INSTITUTE HONORED WITH PR DAILY NONPROFIT COMMUNICATIONS AWARD FOR 20TH ANNIVERSARY REBRAND
New branding amplifies GDI’s mission of advancing equity and representation in media to audiences worldwide
LOS ANGELES – September 29, 2025 – The Geena Davis Institute (GDI), a pioneer in representation and equity in entertainment media, received the Best Branding or Rebranding Campaign Award at the 2025 PR Daily Nonprofit Communications Awards in New York City.
The award celebrates GDI’s refreshed brand identity and social media strategy, which were developed in partnership with creative agency Gatesman in celebration of the Institute’s 20th anniversary. To mark the milestone, GDI sought to honor its research-based legacy and amplify its mission by creating a visually vibrant, modern and unmistakably confident brand.
“Our 20th Anniversary provided us with the perfect timeframe to herald our achievements while launching a brand refresh that better incorporated how we visualize our mission,” said Madeline Di Nonno, president and CEO of Geena Davis Institute. “Receiving this award reaffirms that our partners, our audience and our stakeholders are recognizing the impact of our work as we continue to build our momentum for the future.”
To bring the refreshed branding to life, GDI and Gatesman, the Institute’s social agency of record, worked together to:
- Establish clear content pillars centered around GDI’s role as an inclusivity pioneer, their research-based approach to drive systemic impact in global entertainment and media, and the Institute’s determination to create more inclusive representation onscreen.
- Apply vibrant new branding across assets – from letterhead, business cards and stationery to social media templates.
- Design eye catching visuals (graphs, charts, collages) to make research findings digestible and engaging.
- Develop a strategic launch that included a social media grid takeover and press release signaling the kickoff of GDI’s 20th Anniversary celebration.
Immediate reaction to the rebrand was positive, including:
- 113K impressions across GDI’s social platforms.
- 5,900+ engagements.
- 165M+ impressions from press release distribution.
- 280+ press release pick-ups.
- Significant follower growth across platforms.
The rebrand was entirely made possible by past funding from the Nielsen Foundation whose mission is to power and advance inclusive innovation and representation in the media and technology industries, especially through the use of data and research.
“The Geena Davis Institute has set the global standard for advancing equity and representation in media, with an impact that reaches far beyond the entertainment industry,” said Beth Thompson, VP, Director of PR & Social Media at Gatesman. “We are proud to stand alongside GDI in this milestone moment and to partner in advancing a brand that accelerates their mission worldwide.”
Visit geenadavisinstitute.org for more information or keep up with Geena Davis Institute on LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads, Facebook, Youtube or X, formerly Twitter.
About Geena Davis Institute
Founded in 2004 by two-time Academy Award Winning Actor Geena Davis, the Geena Davis Institute (GDI) is the only global research-based organization working collaboratively within entertainment media to systemically increase the on screen representation of six major identities: gender, race/ethnicity, LGBTQIA+, disability, age 50+ and body type. If they can see it, they can be it.
About the PR Daily Nonprofit Communications Awards
The PR Daily Nonprofit Communications Awards recognize nonprofit organizations and campaigns that demonstrate excellence in storytelling, creativity, strategy, and impact. Winners are celebrated annually for work that moves the needle on awareness, advocacy, and mission