The Ad Council, the largest producer of public service campaigns in the U.S., in partnership with Viacom, home to premier global brands in media and entertainment, and non-profit leader Facing Addiction today launched the PSA campaign “LISTEN” to ignite a national conversation about drug and alcohol addiction as a public health epidemic, and empower those impacted by substance use disorders.
While past PSA campaigns have traditionally focused on the perspective of those at risk, urging them to eliminate all substance use, “LISTEN” addresses the support system of people who are also affected by this crisis. Using powerful stories that portray the modern faces of addiction and recovery, the campaign looks to remove the stigma attached to substance misuse through the act of informed, compassionate listening. The campaign’s website, heretolisten.com, and Facing Addiction's Resource Hub provides important tools and information to help people start a productive conversation with their friends and loved ones and to support the more than 45 million Americans directly impacted by addiction.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/8029751-ad-council-listen-psa-addiction-drug-alcohol-substance-abuse/
Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, and the American Diabetes Association today revealed common challenges affecting the millions of Americans living with type 2 diabetes as part of the program America’s Diabetes Challenge: Get to Your Goals. Last year, award-winning artist Tim McGraw, renowned actress S. Epatha Merkerson and Chef Leticia Moreinos Schwartz called on patients and their loved ones to share their stories – from inspirational successes to daily struggles. Thousands of people from across the country responded, and revealed common challenges like eating healthy, exercising, sticking to a treatment plan and coping with the disease.
“Type 2 diabetes has affected my family, friends and fans, so I’ve learned it can be challenging to manage. It was great to hear from so many people, and I’m impressed by everyone’s dedication to their health,” said McGraw. “The stories we received shed an important light on the similar hardships people in the community face as they work toward achieving their blood sugar goals.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/7988751-merck-americas-diabetes-challenge-tim-mcgraw-s-epatha-merkerson-chef-leticia-moreinos-schwartz/
The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity today released a new report “Energy Cost Impacts on Families” that details the plight of American households who are significantly harmed by rising energy costs.
The study finds that on average nearly half of America’s households are bringing home $1,900 a month, less than $23,000 annually, and spending 17 percent of those hard-earned dollars on energy. Low and fixed income families, including minorities and senior citizens, are among the most vulnerable to energy price increases and frequently must make tough choices about what to do to meet energy costs.
“No one should go without food or medication to keep the lights on but that’s exactly what is taking place in millions of households across America,” said Mike Duncan, president and CEO of ACCCE. “Regulations like EPA’s calamitous Clean Power Plan will only exacerbate the economic struggles families face, making it all that much harder to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. This administration should put Americans ahead of its politically charged agenda and immediately take action to ensure vulnerable families are not harmed further by these reckless regulations.”
To view the Multimedia News Release, go http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7552751-accce-family-energy-impact-report/
To coincide with Independence Day, the Ad Council, R/GA and an unprecedented group of brands launched “We Are America,” an extension of the iconic Love Has No Labels campaign, explaining that love for country is love for the people who make up this country. The new PSAs, featuring WWE Superstar John Cena, continue to further the campaign message of acceptance of all communities regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age and ability. Love Has No Labels encourages audiences to recognize their implicit bias – biases that live in our subconscious – in order to promote inclusion. “We Are America” invites everyone to submit their photos to demonstrate the true diversity that makes up America. Upworthy, a 2015 campaign launch partner, shared “We Are America” on its social platforms and will be creating a series of videos launching in the coming months to help further the campaign message.
Losing weight and being healthier are at the top of everyone’s New Year’s resolutions. But, despite the best intentions, work, kids, and social events often push lifestyle changes to the bottom of the list. While many are familiar with type 2 diabetes, fewer are aware of prediabetes, a serious health condition that affects 86 million Americans (more than 1 in 3) and often leads to type 2 diabetes. People with prediabetes have higher than normal blood glucose (sugar) levels, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
To raise awareness and help people with prediabetes know where they stand and how to prevent type 2 diabetes, the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the American Medical Association (AMA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have partnered with the Ad Council to launch the first national public service advertising (PSA) campaign about prediabetes. The PSA campaign, featuring first-of-its-kind communications techniques, was developed pro bono by Ogilvy & Mather New York for the Ad Council.
Nearly 90 percent of people with prediabetes don’t know they have it and aren’t aware of the long-term risks to their health, including type 2 diabetes, heart attack, and stroke. Current trends suggest that, if not treated, 15 to 30 percent of people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within five years. The good news is that prediabetes often can be reversed through weight loss, diet changes and increased physical activity. Diagnosis is key: research shows that once people are aware of their condition, they are much more likely to make the necessary lifestyle changes.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7731551-ad-council-prediabetes-psa/
There's something about the road trip that really speaks to many Americans. It gives them the freedom to travel the country's highways and back roads to explore new places and familiar destinations. It allows them to taste local food and experience local culture–on their own timeline. And it's a cost-conscious way to have a truly memorable vacation.
It's only natural, then, that many people think road trips are the best way to travel. A brand-new survey from AARP Travel (http://travel.aarp.org), a valuable resource for America's 76 million baby boomers who spend over $120 billion annually in leisure travel, finds that more than 7 in 10 people 45-plus say that road trips are their favorite way to travel.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7488431-aarp-travel/
According to a new survey from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Ad Council, one in three millennials (34 percent) ranked saving as their number one goal for the year – ahead of living a healthy lifestyle (20 percent), paying off debt (19 percent), and losing weight (14 percent). But while saving was a top priority, a majority of millennials attributed their lack of saving to impulse buying (65 percent).
For older millennials, those born between the early 1980’s and early 1990’s, saving is crucial as they work towards major milestones in their lives. When asked what they were saving money towards, respondents sought to secure their future by saving for an emergency fund (40 percent), saving for retirement (22 percent) or starting a family (15 percent). They also reported saving for larger purchases like a vacation (36 percent), a new house (27 percent), a car (26 percent), home improvements (20 percent), or a wedding (8 percent). To provide Americans aged 25 to 34 with the tips and tools to take control of their personal finances, AICPA and the Ad Council’s national advertising campaign, Feed the Pig, is continuing to collaborate with new partners to deliver this critical content in a relevant and engaging way.
“Many young adults think saving is impossible,” said Gregory Anton, CPA, CGMA, chair of the AICPA’s National CPA Financial Literacy Commission. “While low salaries and high debt levels can certainly be barriers to saving, the key is to create a budget and stick to it. Establishing a disciplined saving strategy early in life and avoiding missteps will reap substantial long-term dividends.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7790851-ad-council-feed-the-pig/
Fifth Third Bank (NASDAQ: FITB) today announced a first-ever, company-wide initiative to deliver its Empower U financial literacy courses throughout its 10-state footprint. The Empower U initiative brings Fifth Third together with more than 60 local nonprofit organizations in outreach to nearly 3,000 individuals in the communities it serves.
According to a recent study commissioned by Fifth Third, more than 40 percent of Americans feel they could benefit from professional advice about their day-to-day finances. Empower U, one of the Bank’s signature L.I.F.E. (Lives Improved through Financial Empowerment®) programs, is designed to do just that.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7723853-fifth-third-bank-empower-u-initiative/
The statistics on food waste are alarming. Nearly all Americans are guilty of tossing edible food both before and after it hits their plates. The good news is, it’s easy to make small changes that can save a family of four up to $1,500 a year in food bills.
That’s the message being delivered on Stop Food Waste Day by foodservice leader Compass Group, food manufacturer Unilever, and Top Chef personality, Tom Colicchio.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8077751-compass-group-unilever-stop-food-waste-day/
Last winter was one of the harshest, hitting millions of Americans with spikes in their winter utility bills. Unfortunately, here we are, one year later, facing yet another polar vortex. Meteorologists predict some of the coldest blasts of frigid temperatures over the next several days, which has energy experts worried about the impact on consumers’ utility bills, as well as on the reliability of the electric grid we all depend on.
As Polar Vortex 2015 moves across the country, consumers could face spikes in electricity bills, with seniors on fixed incomes and lower income Americans hit the hardest. According to a recent survey, high energy prices already have forced more than 40 percent of low-income seniors to go without needed medical or dental care, and even to skip meals or shut off the heat on cold days.
It may seem odd to be predicting another energy price spike since oil, natural gas and coal prices have all fallen recently. But it’s not the market that will be driving prices higher. It’s politics.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7221731-national-mining-association-americans-electricity-bill-increase-due-to-epa-regulations/
While regular visits to the eye doctor and dentist are mainstays of preventive healthcare, less than one in four Americans have had their hearing checked in the past two years, according to a consumer survey by Wakefield Research on behalf of EPIC Hearing Healthcare (EPIC). And, while most people with poor vision own glasses or contacts to help them see better, only one in five people who could benefit from a hearing aid wears one.
“A lot of people aren’t aware how important preventive care is for their hearing health,” said William M. Luxford, M.D., medical director, House Clinic. “Regular, comprehensive hearing exams by an audiologist are the best way to establish a baseline for your hearing and ensure any hearing loss is caught early so further damage can be prevented or minimized and hearing can be improved as quickly as possible.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7823651-epic-healthy-hearing-habits/
Debt is a buzzword for politicians, a burden for students, a necessity for most homeowners and a reality for 70 percent of Americans.
But despite this fact, 30 percent of those in debt have no plan to pay it off, according to a recent survey conducted by Fifth Third Bank (NASDAQ: FITB).
Fifth Third commissioned the national survey to examine the financial beliefs and behaviors of American adults. The results provided a snapshot of our nation’s financial literacy, with 82 percent of respondents citing financial independence as a goal in their lives. The survey also revealed how the three largest generations in America differ in their understanding and management of savings, budgeting, retirement planning and credit.
“At Fifth Third, we were curious to discover how knowledgeable Americans are about their personal finances,” said Jada Grandy, senior vice president and Community Reinvestment Act strategies director, Fifth Third Bank. “The results of this survey give insight into financial literacy in America, as well as the needs of customers at different key stages of their lives. This knowledge arms Fifth Third with the tools to support our customers at every step on their journey to financial independence.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7723851-fifth-third-bank-life/
