PRESS RELEASE from Presidential
Inaugural Committee
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
January 12, 2009
Presidential Inaugural Committee
The Ad Council, Ellyn Fisher
Presidential Inaugural Committee and
The Advertising Council Launch a New Public Service Advertising
Campaign Highlighting President-elect Obama's Call to Service PSAs
Feature President-elect Obama asking Americans to "Step Forward" and
Volunteer in their Communities
Washington, D.C. - The Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) and The
Advertising Council launched today a new public service advertising
(PSA) campaign aimed at summoning a new spirit of service in America.
The television ad "Step Forward" and radio PSA "Chapter" feature
President-elect Obama urging Americans to log on to USAService.org to
find ways to make an ongoing commitment to serve their communities and
their country. Nearly 6,000 volunteer projects and opportunities across
the country are listed on USAService.org.
President-elect Obama's and Vice President-elect Biden's "Renew America
Together" initiative, calling on Americans of all ages to participate
in community service, begins on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Monday,
January 19th, to honor the legacy of a man who lived his life in
service to others. On the eve of the Inauguration, thousands of
community service events will take place in Washington and all across
the country.
"President-elect Obama believes each of us, as Americans, has a
responsibility to do what we can for our communities and fellow
citizens. We've launched USAService.org to connect volunteer
organizations with Americans in their community and make it easier to
serve on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and beyond," said Josh Earnest, PIC
Communications Director.
The Ad Council is distributing the new television and radio PSAs to
stations throughout the country this week. Per the Ad Council's model,
the PSAs will run and air in donated advertising time and space.
"We are delighted to join President-elect Obama and the Presidential
Inaugural Committee for this poignant campaign that will inspire
Americans to serve their communities and their country," said Peggy
Conlon, President & CEO of the Ad Council. "Media companies have
committed to support these new PSAs and I believe this critical effort
will encourage Americans to answer President-elect Obama's call to
service."
Several media companies have committed to support the PSAs in donated
time and space. These media companies include: CBS Television and
Radio; NBC Universal; CNN and the Turner Networks (including TNT and
TBS); FOX Networks; Clear Channel Radio, Comcast Spotlight and Entercom
Radio. The National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA)
will promote the television spots to their members and donate a
satellite feed during the week of January 26 for the distribution to
the cable industry. Additionally, the National Association of
Broadcasters (NAB) is donating a satellite feed for distribution of the
radio and television spots to the broadcasting industry this week.
The ads are available in English and Spanish. To see "Step Forward" in
English, click HERE. To see "Step Forward" in Spanish, click HERE.
To listen to "Chapter" click HERE.
Script for "Step Forward":
President-elect Obama VO:
America's greatness was not crafted in skyscrapers alone...
But on the ground by those who could see what needed to be done.
Volunteers who in service stepped forward...
Onto the dust of the moon, a levee in the heartland, the marble steps
of a dream.
You may ask yourself: "Where's my moon, my levee, my dream?"
Well, it's here...with you.
President-elect Obama: Step forward. Help renew America at
USAService.org.
The Advertising Council
The Ad Council (www.adcouncil.org) is a private, non-profit
organization that marshals talent from the advertising and
communications industries, the facilities of the media, and the
resources of the business and non-profit communities to produce,
distribute and promote public service campaigns on behalf of non-profit
organizations and government agencies in issue areas such as improving
the quality of life for children, preventive health, education,
community well-being, environmental preservation and strengthening
families.