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FINN Partners honored to partner with Washington, DC-area colleges/universities on research-based initiative to address gun violence

July 20, 2022

Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area launched the 120 Initiative

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 20, 2022 – FINN Partners, the global, independent full-service marketing and communications agency, is proud to announce its partnership with the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area around a research-based initiative to help address the gun violence epidemic.

The recently announced 120 Initiative is named in honor of the more than 120 people who die on average each day from gun violence. Consortium colleges and universities* will engage subject-matter experts from a wide range of areas including gun violence, public and mental health, polarization, business sector engagement, citizen advocacy, education, and technology. These experts will review/analyze available research leading to a series of evidence-based recommendations to drive down gun violence.

In launching The 120 Initiative, Dr. Darryll Pines, President of the University of Maryland, explained why regional colleges and universities were undertaking this, “Because guns are now the leading cause of death for young people, and we are charged with shaping young minds to tackle the grand challenges of our time. Because we lead communities that are deeply affected by the mass slaughter of citizens, and some weeks it feels like the flags at our public institutions fly ceaselessly at half-staff. And because universities are often the source of change and progress.”

FINN Partners is providing earned media and integrated marketing support. Margaret Dunning who leads FINN Partners’ Higher Education practice is overseeing the effort. “The numbers are heartbreaking with at least 314 mass shootings since the start of 2022 and more than 23,500 deaths as a result of gun violence through suicide, domestic abuse and other assaults. Supporting the expertise of D.C.-regional colleges and universities on such a critically important issue is a privilege.”

Consortium President and CEO, Andrew Flagel, said, “We are grateful to FINN Partners for partnering with us on The 120 Initiative. Consortium universities and colleges are established leaders at the intersection of research, practice, and policy, especially on national issues. This initiative will collectively leverage our expertise to spur substantive progress on behalf of the nation and the more than 400,000 students in Consortium institutions. FINN support will help us accomplish our goals.”

*Consortium institutions participating in The 120 Initiative:

  • American University
  • The Catholic University of America
  • Gallaudet University
  • George Mason University
  • Georgetown University
  • The George Washington University
  • Howard University
  • Marymount University
  • Montgomery College
  • Northern Virginia Community College
  • Prince George’s Community College
  • Trinity Washington University
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • University of Maryland
  • University of Maryland Global Campus

Affiliate members:

  • Johns Hopkins University
  • Virginia Tech