New York – September 09, 2026 -- FINN Partners has been named public relations agency of record for Textron Aviation Inc.'s 2026 Special Olympics Airlift, the world's largest peacetime airlift, and other corporate initiatives at the Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) subsidiary.
Volunteer pilots flew over 800 athletes and coaches free of charge in June 2026
The Airlift mobilized the Cessna and Beechcraft business aviation communities to transport more than 800 Special Olympics athletes and coaches to the 2026 Games. Volunteer pilots and aircraft owners donated flight time, fuel and aircraft to eliminate travel costs and logistical barriers for participating athletes.
Media campaign generated nearly 2 billion impressions in a single month
FINN Partners' tier 1 media relations effort secured close to 120 stories and nearly 2 billion media impressions in June 2026 alone. Coverage included high-profile features from USA TODAY and The Associated Press, extending the campaign's reach to a broad national audience and reinforcing Textron Aviation's role in organizing the effort.
FINN Partners frames the mandate around storytelling tied to volunteerism and logistics
"We built our aviation practice on the principle that behind every flight there is a human story that connects us all," said Karli Barokas, Managing Partner at FINN Partners. She said Textron Aviation's community commitment provided a platform for amplifying the voices of athletes, pilots, aircraft owners and employees involved in the Airlift.
Agency mandate extends beyond the Airlift to other Textron Aviation programs
Beyond the Special Olympics Airlift, FINN Partners will provide ongoing media relations support and strategic counsel for additional Textron Aviation initiatives, with a focus on communicating general aviation's broader impact on everyday life.