Austin Williams announced that its pro bono collaboration with the Christopher A. Coluccio (CAC) Foundation won a Gold Telly Award, honoring an impactful public service announcement focused on youth mental health and suicide prevention. The award was presented at the 2025 Telly Awards, which celebrate excellence in video content worldwide.
The award-winning PSA is part of the CAC Foundation’s What Did I Miss? video series, which brings together Long Island families who have experienced the loss of a loved one to suicide. Through intimate, documentary-style conversations, participants reflect on the signs they wish they had recognized earlier, offering honest insight, empathy, and hope to families navigating similar struggles.
Founded in October 2021 by Chris and Jenn Coluccio of Bayport–Blue Point, New York, the Christopher A. Coluccio Foundation honors the memory of their son, Christopher, who tragically died by suicide earlier that year. The Foundation’s mission is to reduce stigma, foster open dialogue between parents and children, and address the growing crisis of youth mental health through education, awareness, and community support.
“We were deeply moved by Christopher’s story and the mission of the CAC Foundation,” said Rick Chiorando, CEO and chief creative officer at Austin Williams. “Youth suicide rates are rising at an alarming pace. Our goal was to create something honest and human to encourage conversations and help save lives. Receiving a Gold Telly Award affirms that purposeful storytelling can play a meaningful role in raising awareness about critical issues facing our communities.”
The series was produced in partnership with SpotOn Productions, whose collaboration helped bring the families’ stories to life with sensitivity and care.
“Since losing our son in 2021, our purpose has been to change the conversation around youth suicide and mental health,” said Christopher Coluccio, president and cofounder of the Christopher A. Coluccio Foundation. “We hope these videos reach families who may be struggling, grieving, or worried about their child’s well-being, and remind them they are not alone. We are incredibly grateful to the families who shared their stories and to Austin Williams and SpotOn Productions for helping amplify these voices.”
The Gold Telly Award recognition underscores the role creative partnerships can play in advancing public awareness and social impact. Watch the award-winning video below or in the announcement on the Telly Awards website.
To learn more about or to support the Christopher A. Coluccio Foundation, visit christophercoluccio.org.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide or mental health challenges, help is available. Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or visit 988lifeline.org for confidential support.
About Austin Williams
Austin Williams is a full-service advertising, marketing, digital, and public relations firm that creates ideas that inspire action for clients in the healthcare, higher education, financial services, and professional services industries. Certified as a Women Business Enterprise (WBE) by the State of New York, the Long Island-based firm was founded in 1992 and was named one of the 100 fastest-growing agencies in the nation. In 2023, it was listed as “Best Advertising Agency” by Long Island Business News in their “Reader Ranking Awards,” and in 2020 was named a Newsday “Top Places to Work.”