Berlin Airlift

The most dramatic rescue operation of the 20th century was the Berlin Airlift - a remarkable mission that saved more than 2.5 million people from starvation and served as the single most significant event in stopping the Soviet advance across post World War II Europe.

Devillier Communications was proud to coordinate the national promotion of a the major PBS special, Showdown in Berlin, that captured this phenomenal tale of perseverance, ingenuity and human kindness in the face of overwhelming odds. Hosted by award-winning journalist Paul Duke, the one-hour special was one of the premier events marking the 50th anniversary of the end of the Berlin blockade.

DCI mounted an aggressive national promotion campaign on behalf of Showdown in Berlin that included outreach to national and local television writers in the top 25 markets; to specialty publications targeted to veterans, seniors and aviation enthusiasts; and to national television outlets. Interviews were coordinated with the Airlift's greatest hero, Colonel Gail S. Halvorsen, the "Candy Bomber," who dropped thousands of packages of candy to Berlin's children via tiny parachutes. The results were impressive. The Wall Street Journal called it "just the ticket for virtual travel" and praised "the rich archival material," while The New York Times said the "spirited documentary" offered viewers "an exhilarating hour." The campaign generated over 65 million media impressions with stories syndicated to over 6,000 outlets