"Help us celebrate the societal impact of the world’s most unsung inventor."

CooperKatz helped Carrier Corporation gain broad international awareness of the 100th anniversary of the invention of modern air conditioning by Willis H. Carrier.

Though Dr. Carrier’s invention changed the world in dramatic ways, public acknowledgement of his ingenious discovery was minimal. To rectify the problem, CooperKatz developed a three-pronged public relations program. The campaign started with a fun "father of cool" web site promotion that positioned Dr. Carrier as the ultimate "cool dad" on Father’s Day, June 16, 2002. Visitors to www.fatherofcool.carrier.com could post tributes to their own cool fathers, register to win a father of cool t-shirt and download a special certificate for presentation to their dads on Father’s Day.

Pre-publicity built over the next few weeks with feature stories in magazines and newspapers, including Reader’s Digest, USA Weekend, Newsday and dozens of local market papers. Then on anniversary day, July 17, 2002, the floodgates opened with "hits" on Good Morning America, CBS Early Show, Fox & Friends, CBS News Sunday Morning with Charles Osgood, ABC Nightly News and hundreds of local TV stations across the nation. Letterman did an air conditioning "top ten," and Reuters and CNN International fed the story around the globe.

In Brooklyn, where Dr. Carrier first applied his invention, CooperKatz worked with the New York City Board of Education to create a lasting tribute to Dr. Carrier: the Willis H. Carrier Academy at Grady High School. Offering career and technical training to students who wish to enter the industry Dr. Carrier founded, the Academy was introduced to parents, students, government leaders and the media at a dedication ceremony featuring Schools Chancellor Harold O. Levy and an ice-sculptured portrait of Willis Carrier.

The campaign generated over a half billion audience impressions - a tremendous achievement for the 100th anniversary!