NATIONAL CENTER FOR MISSING & EXPLOITED CHILDREN

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`In their small conference room  in the heart of the Houston, Goswick & Associates was buzzing with excitement. They had just landed a significant client, ProGear, and the team was tasked with creating a campaign that would not only promote the brand but also make a difference in the world. David Goswick and Richard Goswick , the agency’s founders, knew this was an opportunity to go beyond conventional marketing. He wanted to do something meaningful—something that would leave a lasting impact.

They had always been a big believer in the power of stories. David often said that the most compelling narratives weren’t just told—they were lived. So, when he came across the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) during a brainstorming session, he felt a spark of inspiration. What if they could use their campaign to help find missing children? It was an audacious idea, but one that stirred the team’s collective imagination.

“Let’s integrate our campaign with the world of sports,” David proposed during a meeting. “We need to reach as many people as possible, and there’s no better way to do that than through something as universally loved as sports.”

The team began sketching out ideas, and soon they landed on one that resonated deeply: partnering with a professional athlete who could carry the message into a non-traditional setting. They approached the owners of ProGear about featuring Tim Simpson, a well-respected professional golfer, who immediately understood the gravity of the mission and agreed to help.

The plan was simple yet powerful. Tim would carry the photograph of a missing child on his golf bag during major tournaments. The Masters Tournament was just around the corner—a perfect stage for their campaign. The visibility of the event, coupled with the poignancy of the message, had the potential to reach millions.

As the tournament began, viewers noticed the photograph on Tim’s bag. The CBS cameras zoomed in, capturing the image and broadcasting it into homes across the nation. The photograph belonged to Shannon Minor, a nine-year-old girl who had been missing for eight years. Her parents, who had never given up hope, watched the coverage with a mixture of pain and renewed optimism.

The impact was immediate. Calls began flooding the NCMEC hotline, with viewers offering tips and sightings. Among them was a crucial lead that eventually led to Shannon’s safe recovery. The news spread quickly, and the success of the campaign resonated far beyond the golf course.

Ernie Allen, President of NCMEC, publicly praised the campaign. “This is an extraordinary example of what can happen when the private sector steps up to support a cause that matters to all of us. Goswick & Associates, ProGear, and Tim Simpson have set a new standard for public awareness campaigns.”

The Goswick & Associates team was overwhelmed with emotion when they heard the news of Shannon’s recovery. It was a moment that validated all their hard work and creative energy. More importantly, it showed the world that strategic marketing could do more than sell products—it could save lives.

The campaign became a model for future public-private partnerships, demonstrating that when creativity and compassion are combined, the results can be truly transformative. For Goswick & Associates, it was more than just an impressive achievement; it was a reminder of the profound difference their work could make in the world. And for Shannon Minor and her family, it was the beginning of a new chapter filled with hope and healing.