Outdoor

Texans Unite Against Human Trafficking – Local, State and Federal Agencies Launch Statewide Campaign

FBI/Crime-Stoppers Offer Up to $10,000 Reward for Most Wanted Trafficking Fugitives

The FBI, United against Human Trafficking and Clear Channel Outdoor joined local, state, and federal partners today to call upon Texans to unite against human trafficking and help put a stop to modern day slavery throughout Texas. The unified group of agencies announced a statewide campaign and unveiled billboards and a host of public service advertisements to raise awareness about human trafficking and encourage reporting. The FBI also released a list of Most Wanted Human Traffickers in Texas. A reward up to $10,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest of fugitives on the “Most Wanted” human trafficker list.    
   
Texas ranks second in the nation in total calls to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) hotline with only California ranked higher. In 2013, a total of 436 potential trafficking cases were reported through the hotline from Texas, 144 of those cases were from Houston. Texas’ geographic location, proximity to the border, demographics and large migrant work force make the state a popular point of entry for human trafficking.

Since the Polaris Project began operating the NHTRC in December of 2007, the anti-trafficking hotline has taken over 110,000 calls nationally, including more than 9,500 from Texas. The NHTRC has received reports of over 1,500 potential cases of human trafficking in Texas. The billboard and public service ad campaign is aimed at reaching trafficking victims who need help, as well as Texans who are being encouraged to report any signs of human trafficking.

“Traffickers are preying on the vulnerable and enslaving them right here within our own communities,” said FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Carlos J. Barron. “Human beings are not a commodity to be bought and sold. The FBI will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute these cases with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners.” 
Beginning today, educational messages about human trafficking will be displayed on both traditional and digital billboards across the Houston area and throughout Texas.

Advertising space and time are being donated by the Outdoor Advertising Association of Texas (OAAT) and its member companies, Clear Channel Outdoor and Lamar Advertising. Public service ads will appear on Houston area Yellow Cabs, Metro buses and area shopping malls. Similar public service announcements will also air on Univision television, Univision radio, and Clear Channel owned radio stations throughout Texas. All public service ads promote the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline (1-888-3737-888) or Polaris project’s texting short code “BeFree” (233733).

United Against Human Trafficking (UAHT), formerly known as Houston Rescue and Restore Coalition is a driving force in this media campaign to deepen the community’s understanding of the issue, to inform the community that anyone can be a victim of human trafficking and to encourage continued reporting to the human trafficking hotline. “Media campaigns have been an integral part of our efforts to grow public awareness about this issue as the community is the eyes and ears on the ground helping law enforcement to bring traffickers to justice and victims out of the shadows” stated Maria Trujillo, Executive Director of UAHT. “We are thrilled to be partnering this year with agencies such as the FBI and Clear Channel Outdoor and to have the support of leaders such as Governor Perry and Mayor Parker for this endeavor.”

“The OAAT is proud to be a major part of this effort to bring to the forefront the issue of human trafficking in our state,” said Lee Vela, OAAT president. “Through our resources these messages will reach millions of Texans throughout the year and it is our sincere hope that victims come forward for help as we raise awareness in the general public.”

The National Human Trafficking Resource Center is a confidential, toll-free lifeline for victims of human trafficking to reach out for help and for the public to anonymously report tips of suspected human trafficking or to obtain information. People can call 1-888-3737-888 for help, or text Polaris Project at BeFree (233733), 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The hotline is available in more than 180 languages through the use of interpreters, including in Spanish through bilingual staff.

“Whether it’s the woman forced to sell sex in a brothel, the man coerced into a fraudulent door-to-door sales crew, or the young girl sold on Backpage.com, there’s a broad network of support ready to help victims of sex and labor trafficking in Texas and throughout the country. Awareness campaigns are critical to ensure that we can reach more victims and get them connected to help,” said Bradley Myles, CEO of Polaris Project. “Polaris Project is grateful to participate in this effort with organizations like United Against Human Trafficking in Houston, Clear Channel Outdoor, and law enforcement and legislative partners at the state and national levels.”

Legislation
Under federal law, knowingly providing or obtaining the labor or services of a person by any force, threats or physical restraint is a felony offense, carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a significant fine. Additionally, under federal law, knowingly engaging in the sex trafficking of children or the sex trafficking of adults by force, fraud or coercion is a felony offense, carrying a sentence of 10 years to life in prison and significant fines. Under Texas state law, trafficking of persons or compelling prostitution are felony offenses, carrying punishment ranges of 2 to 20 years or 5 to 99/life in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

Fugitives 
The FBI and its partners also unveiled a list of Texas’ Most Wanted Human Traffickers. A reward up to $10,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the “Most Wanted” human traffickers.  

Alfonso Diaz-Juarez, aka Poncho, aka El Greñas, a 45 year old Mexican national, is wanted federally for sex trafficking violations. Investigators believe Diaz-Juarez may be in the Houston area, or traveling between Texas and Mexico. 

Roger Galindo-Sepeda, a 40 year old Honduran national, is wanted federally for conspiracy to smuggle, transport and harbor illegal aliens. Investigators believe Galindo-Sepeda may be in the Dallas area, or traveling between Texas and Honduras. 

Maria Isabel Cruz, a 46 year old Honduran national, is wanted federally for conspiracy to smuggle, transport or harbor ilegal aliens. Investigators believe Cruz may be in the Dallas area, or traveling between Texas and Honduras.

If you have information about these fugitives call 1-800-CALL-FBI, or the Crime Stoppers tip-line at 713-222-TIPS (8477).

Campaign Partners
The FBI and agencies of the Houston Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance partnered with Governor Rick Perry, Mayor Anise Parker, U.S. Congressman Ted Poe, Texas State Representative Senfronia Thompson, United Against Human Trafficking, Polaris Project, the Outdoor Advertising Association of Texas (OAAT) and member companies Clear Channel Outdoor and Lamar Advertising to launch today’s event at Houston’s City Hall, along with representatives from the United States Attorney’s Office – Southern District of Texas, Homeland Security Investigations, United States Department of State – Diplomatic Security Service, United States Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, Harris County District Attorney’s Office, the Houston Police Department, Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, YMCA International, Catholic Charities, Crime Stoppers of Houston, Houston Yellow Cab and the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County.

On April 17, 2014, the Texas Department of Public Safety released Assessing the Threat of Human Trafficking in Texas, that was developed to provide a broad overview of human trafficking activity in the state. This report is now available to the public at http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/director_staff/media_and_communications/2014/txHumanTraffickingAssessment.pdf

Clear Channel Spectacolor to Simulcast the 2014 Tony Awards® in Times Square
 
Past Tony Award Nominee Kerry Butler and Justin Guarini to Co-host Sixth Annual Simulcast on June 8th

New York, New York (June 2, 2014) – Clear Channel Spectacolor, a brand division of Clear Channel Outdoor (NYSE: CCO), in partnership with the Times Square Alliance and the City of New York, announced today the sixth annual simulcast of the Tony Awards on June 8th in Times Square. Clear Channel Spectacolor is Co-Producer of the 2014 simulcast and an official media partner of the 68th Annual Tony Awards. The event will be co-hosted by past Tony Award nominee Kerry Butler and singer Justin Guarini.

“Clear Channel Spectacolor has been a producing partner of the popular Tony’s Simulcast since its conception,” said Harry Coghlan, President, Clear Channel Outdoor New York. “The Broadway community is the heartbeat of Times Square, and we are proud to offer this uniquely New York outdoor viewing experience to resident and visiting Broadway fans in celebration the best of the best along ‘The Great White Way’.”

The Times Square simulcast event will commence at 7:00pm and will air portions of the Tony Awards Red Carpet courtesy of NY1. The entirety of the Tony Awards show, including the Creative Arts Awards which can only otherwise be seen live inside Radio City Music Hall, will also be broadcast at the event. The outdoor celebration of Broadway will also feature special guest appearances. 

NY1’s extended red carpet coverage, On STAGE’s Live Red Carpet to the Tony’s kicks-off the star-studded evening with hosts Donna Karger, Patrick Pacheco, Frank DiLella, and Stephanie Simon, from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., available to TWC NEWS, NY1. From 7:30 p.m. – 8 p.m., Stephanie Simon keeps the energy high in Times Square with guests from The Great White Way and feature stories in advance of the Tony Awards’ viewing party.

The 68th Annual Tony Awards will broadcast live from Radio City Music Hall in New York City, on CBS, on Sunday, June 8th, 8:00 – 11:00 p.m. (ET/PT time delay) and are presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing.

Theatre lovers will have a front seat to all the action as the NY1 lead-in programs and CBS’ telecast of the Tony Awards will presented in Times Square. The simulcast will take place rain or shine, with full audio and seating for 1,000 guests starting at 7:00 pm on Broadway between 42nd and 43rd Streets. The event is free and open to the public.

“We are thrilled to once again be hosting the Tony Awards Simulcast in Times Square.  The event has become a New York tradition and a destination for theatre fans to celebrate the Tony Awards along with their favorite Broadway stars,” said Charlotte St. Martin, Executive Director of The Broadway League and Heather Hitchens Executive Director of the American Theatre Wing. ”There is truly nothing like the experience of celebrating Broadway’s biggest night in the heart of Times Square.”

Co-host, Kerry Butler was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical in 2008 for her role in Xanadu. Currently, Butler is starring in Under My Skin at The Little Shubert Theater. Co-host Justin Guarini was first runner-up on the debut season of American Idol and is now starring in Broadway’s Wicked as Fiyero.

“Times Square has always been known for two things – the spectacular signs and the Broadway theaters. This event brings the two together to showcase the Broadway’s biggest night right here in our Town Square,” said Tim Tompkins, President of the Times Square Alliance.

For up-to-the-minute news follow Clear Channel Outdoor on Twitter.com/CCOutdoorNA

Visit TonyAwards.com, and follow the Tonys at Facebook.com/TheTonyAwards, @TheTonyAwards on Twitter, and Instagram.com/TheTonyAwards#.

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About the Tony Awards
The American Theatre Wing’s Tony Awards are presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing. At The Broadway League, Nick Scandalios is Chairman and Charlotte St. Martin is Executive Director. At the American Theatre Wing, William Ivey Long is Chairman and Heather Hitchens is Executive Director. Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss of White Cherry Entertainment are the Executive Producers of the 2014 Tony Awards. Mr. Weiss will also serve as Director of the 2014 Tony Awards.

IBM, the official information technology partner of the Tony Awards, develops, designs, and hosts the official Tony Awards website, www.TonyAwards.com across digital platforms. Carnegie Mellon University is the first-ever, exclusive higher education partner of the Tony Awards.  Audemars Piguet is the presenting sponsor of the Tony Awards Red Carpet.  City National Bank is the official bank of the Tony Awards. United Airlines is the official airline of the Tony Awards. Nexxus Salon Hair Care is the official beauty partner of the Tony Awards.  Paramount Hotel is the official hotel partner of the Tonys.  The New York Times is the official and exclusive print media partner of the Tony Awards. PEOPLE is the official magazine partner of the Tony Awards. Clear Channel Spectacolor is an official media partner of the TonyAwards and co-producer of the Tonys Simulcast in Times Square.

About Clear Channel Spectacolor
Clear Channel Spectacolor is the US market leader in spectacular sign displays and a division of one of the world’s leading outdoor advertising companies,  Offering innovative out-of-home marketing resources in major pedestrian destinations such as Times Square and The Las Vegas Strip, Clear Channel Spectacolor’s inventory includes: spectacular billboards, time-based video screens, wallscapes, sky murals, unique ad panels and experiential marketing events. In-house creative services and start-to-finish project management assist marketers in producing high-impact executions for a growing on-the-go audience. Spectacolor was established in 1976. More information may be found by visiting www.clearchannelspectacolor.com

Contact Information:
Sara Davis – SUNSHINE SACHS
(For Clear Channel Spectacolor)
(212) 691-2800 / s.davis@sunshinesachs.com

Shawn Purdy – SLATE PR
(For the Tony Awards)
(212) 235-6813 / shawn@slate-pr.com

Clear Channel Outdoor Names Craig Gangi Executive Vice President & General Counsel

New York, New York – Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCO) today named Craig Gangi Executive Vice President and General Counsel for its business in the U.S. and Canada. In his new role, Gangi is responsible for all legal matters at Clear Channel Outdoor North America and jointly reports to Suzanne Grimes, President and Chief Operating Officer, CCO North America and Rob Walls, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary for Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. and CC Media Holdings, Inc.

Gangi has broad experience in the media and advertising industries.  He joins Clear Channel Outdoor from Omnicom Group, where he was General Counsel of Omnicom Media Group  and responsible for worldwide legal support in all areas. Prior to Omnicom, Gangi was an executive with AOL Time Warner and a Vice President of Law at Cendant Corporation.  He also practiced corporate law at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom in New York and was a law clerk in the United States Department of Justice in Washington, DC.  A graduate of Williams College with a degree in Political Economy, Craig received his law degree from Columbia University School of Law.

“The complexity of the out-of-home industry, particularly in legal matters tied to real estate, state and municipal law, combined with Clear Channel Outdoor’s broad footprint and diverse portfolio, make the role of General Counsel particularly important,” said Grimes.  “Craig’s accomplishments are impressive and I believe in his ability to find legal solutions for the company that will enhance our success and benefit our many stakeholders.”

Clear Channel Outdoor Honors Peace Officers With National Digital Tribute

Public invited to light virtual candles and view  livestream from National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Vigil

Clear Channel Media and Entertainment supports effort with live on-air radio interviews and week-long public service campaign

May 6, 2014 – New York, NY – The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), which works to honor American law enforcement and make it safer for those who serve, and Clear Channel Outdoor (NYSE: CCO), today announced a partnership that will take NLEOMF’s 26th Annual Candlelight Vigil to the masses across the United States, and into the heart of New York City via marquee locations such as Times Square, Penn Plaza and the Port Authority through CCO’s digital outdoor media network—a national first. Clear Channel Media and Entertainment is also supporting the program with a week-long public service campaign and special news coverage.

As the Candlelight Vigil commences at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. on May 13 at 8 p.m. ET, all of CCO’s more than 1,100 large format digital billboards across the U.S. will pause for 24 seconds on a single iconic National Police Week image in remembrance of the 286 U.S. law enforcement officers whose names are being formally dedicated on the Memorial. Clear Channel’s full-motion digital billboards in Times Square (47th St. and Broadway), Penn Plaza (7th Ave. and 34th St.) and the Port Authority (8th Ave. and 42nd St.) will simultaneously display a two-minute video from last year’s Candlelight Vigil while inviting passersby to pause, honor and remember.

Leading up to the Candlelight Vigil and throughout National Police Week, Clear Channel Outdoor will display tributes to honor fallen officers who served in communities where the company operates. Additionally, CCO is running creative that encourages the public to donate to the Memorial Fund’s United by Light program and to dedicate a virtual candle with a personalized message in honor of a special officer. Altogether, it is estimated that the two-week outdoor campaign will reach 37 million people.

“We are honored to stand with the Memorial Fund in remembering these officers and saying thank you to those who continue serving, said Suzanne Grimes, president and Chief Operating Officer, Clear Channel Outdoor.  “We all owe a debt of gratitude to these heroes and their families who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our safety.”

Between May 11-17, Clear Channel Media and Entertainment will also support the effort with a week-long on-air public service campaign across its 840 radio stations that will encourage listeners to support the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund by lighting a virtual candle, donating or simply learning about brave men and women who lost their lives in the line of duty.  Additionally, Clear Channel’s news team will conduct a series of interviews with key members of the NLEOMF to raise awareness of the heroic acts and ultimate sacrifices of law enforcement officers.

Running from May 11-17, 2014, National Police Week was established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962 and pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.

On average, one law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty somewhere in the U.S. every 58 hours. Since the first known line-of-duty death in 1791, more than 20,000 U.S. law enforcement officers have lost their lives in service. With the dedication of the 286 names being added this year, the Memorial now bears the names of 20,267 fallen officers.

“The Memorial Fund’s partnership with Clear Channel is an amazing way to bring attention to our organization’s mission and to honor and remember law enforcement officers in such a meaningful way,” said Craig W. Floyd, Chairman & CEO of the Memorial Fund. “It is our hope that by viewing Candlelight Vigil footage—in places like Times Square—and the individual officer tributes displayed across the nation, many new people will experience the emotions and splendor of this event,” he said. “We hope people feel a greater appreciation for the service and sacrifices these individuals make.”

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About the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
Founded in 1984, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is a private non-profit [501(c)(3)] organization dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of America's law enforcement officers and to promoting officer safety. The Memorial Fund maintains the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, which contains the names of 20,267 officers who have died in the line of duty throughout U.S. history. The Memorial Fund is now working to create the first-ever National Law Enforcement Museum, which will tell the story of American law enforcement through high-tech, interactive exhibits, collections, research, and education. For more information, visit www.LawMemorial.org.

Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/NLEOMF
Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/NLEOMF

For more information, please contact:
Steve Groeninger
202.737.7135
steve@nleomf.org

Clear Channel Outdoor launches ‘Connect,’ the first global out-of-home mobile interactive advertising platform

Platform will initially reach 175 million consumers monthly across 23 countries on 5 continents – creating the largest network of its kind

75,000 sites worldwide will be equipped with NFC, QR code and/or SMS capabilities

San Francisco and Washington, D.C. are first U.S. markets to be launched, with more to follow

New York, NY -- In a world first, Clear Channel Outdoor (CCO), the leading innovator in out-of-home advertising, announced today that it is rolling out Connect, its global interactive mobile advertising platform, representing a major development in the evolution of out-of-home media worldwide – and generating more opportunities for consumers and brands to connect. Connect creates seamless integration between out-of-home and mobile, driving deeper brand engagement with consumers when they are out and about.

With Connect, advertising panels on CCO’s pedestrian-accessible sites across the globe will be turned into mobile launch pads, enabling consumers to access interactive content from advertisers via their smartphones.

By June 2014, CCO will:

Create a mobile network reaching 175 million consumers monthly across 23 countries on 5  continents;Equip 75,000 outdoor sites wiEquip 75,000 outdoor sites with Connect tags enabled for Near Field Communication (NFC), QR code, and in Latin America, SMS capabilities; andOffer marketers the biggest out-of-home/mobile interactive platform from any media owner and the only one with a global scale.

William Eccleshare, CEO of Clear Channel Outdoor, said, “We have made this investment because all our intelligence tells us this is what consumers want, to be able to engage with brands individually, immediately and effectively. We are bridging the online and offline worlds by combining our outstanding audience reach with personal engagement through mobile devices.  The global rollout of Connect accelerates the metamorphosis of out-of-home advertising from being the oldest form of advertising to the most modern and creative.”

He added, “At Clear Channel Outdoor, we take pride in being a company of advertising firsts. We were the first to introduce the public bike scheme; the first to deliver an outdoor digital street furniture network; and the first to run a facial recognition campaign. We have done it once again with Connect as we are the first to roll out this interactive mobile platform on such an international scale.”

The Connect tags are permanently attached to digital or static panels on pedestrian-accessible sites with heavy footfall and long dwell-time, such as street furniture – including bus shelters and similar street-level advertising structures – shopping malls, airports and at other points-of-sale. 

Consumers simply tap or scan their smartphone over Connect’s NFC tag or QR code to instantly open a gateway to an online brand experience. In CCO’s Latin American markets, the platform will also run with the addition of SMS capability; a tailored SMS code will appear on the outdoor advert.
 
Advertisers can offer a range of consumer benefits which can be grouped into 4 main categories:

Information – search, maps, location-relevant, utility Shopping – transactional, discounts / couponingEntertainment – gaming, video, photos, apps Community – social media, text / IM, sharing

Advertisers and planners will also benefit from the rich data and metrics captured by Connect, including date, time, location, conversion of click-thru’s, and even which kinds of devices were used - all allowing for campaign optimization, performance review and delivery of ROI.

“Connect is another important leap in our mission to facilitate closer connections between brands  and consumers through enhanced outdoor and mobile capabilities,” said Suzanne Grimes, President and Chief Operating Officer, Clear Channel Outdoor – North America.  “With Connect, we offer advertisers easier and more nimble access to mobile-interactive campaigns as they no longer need to spend time creating NFC tags or QR codes. Via our preinstalled tags, we seamlessly direct consumers to advertisers’ mobile optimized content.”   

“With the rise of social media, consumers increasingly expect to be involved in advertising campaigns and to have relationships with brands, yet they often reject advertising interruptions in other mediums.  Connect presents the opportunity to target consumers on-the-go, when they are receptive to messages and can be delighted by timely, relevant and tailored invitations  to engage,” added Grimes.
 
CCO will be showcasing Connect and its full capabilities at the forthcoming Festival of Media Global event (April 6-8) in Rome, where Clear Channel Communications’ CEO Bob Pittman, will also be one of the event’s key speakers.

CCO first launched its mobile platform in the UK with a nationwide rollout in 2013 that included 10,000 mobile-enabled sites in London and Edinburgh.  CCO’s mobile platform has since been launched in Belgium, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands and Singapore.  The global roll-out of Connect will see additional platforms planned for completion by June 2014 in Brazil, Denmark, Estonia, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, Peru, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the USA.

Notes to Editors:

CCO’s mobile platform will be available in the following countries:

Country    Launch date

Asia
Singapore       Already launched

Australasia
New Zealand       June 2014

Europe
Belgium       Already launched
Denmark       June 2014
Estonia       May 2014
Finland       Already launched
France       May 2014
Italy       May 2014
Ireland       Already launched
Latvia       May 2014
Lithuania       May 2014
Netherlands       Already launched
Norway       May 2014
Poland       May 2014
Spain       May 2014
Sweden       May 2014
Switzerland       May 2014
Turkey       June 2014
UK       Already launched – adding 10,000 new sites

Latin America
Brazil       June 2014
Mexico       June 2014
Peru       June 2014

North America
USA       June 2014

Fast Facts:

Mobile usage:
By 2017, it is expected that the total number of smartphone subscribers worldwide will be almost 4 billion (from 3.6 billion in 2014) - equivalent to 80% of the global adult population [Source: Cisco 2014 Mobile VNI Study]It is estimated the percentage of the U.S. population using smartphones will rise to 64.3%, in 2017, up from 45.7% at the end of 2013. [Source: eMarketer]Mobile devices accounted for 55% of Internet usage in the U.S. in January. [Source: comScore]The total value of global mobile payments predicted by 2017 is $13 trillion. [Source: A.T. Kearney]U.S. mobile consumers making proximity mobile payments are expected to reach 54.1 million in 2017, as compared to 10.9 million in 2013. [Source: eMarketer]
NFC & QR technology:
416 million smartphones with NFC will be shipped in 2014 as compared to 120 million in 2012; nine out of the top 10 smartphone manufacturers now produce NFC enabled handsets. [Source: IHS Technology]31% of U.S. smartphone owners have scanned a QR code or texted to get more information on a special in-store deal; 40% of these QR code users claimed that they made purchases they hadn’t planned as a result of the information they received. [Source: Vibes]

Press contacts
David Grabert
Clear Channel Outdoor
(212) 812-0089

David Press
FeverPress
david@feverpress.com
(917) 721-7046

Hilary Lefevre
FeverPress
Hilary@FeverPress.com
(212) 300-4929

Clear Channel Outdoor and Equity Office Light Boston’s South Station Orange to Promote Multiple Sclerosis Awareness

Out-of-Home Media Leader Will Turn its Digital Billboards Orange Once per Hour in Symbolic Reference to those Diagnosed Every Hour with MS

Boston, Massachusetts – Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCO), Equity Office Properties (EOP) and Philips Color Kinetics announced that a bright orange glow will greet South Station commuters March 3-9 as Boston shows its support of National Multiple Sclerosis Week.  Clear Channel Outdoor, the new advertising media provider in South Station, signed on to support the MS Week awareness campaign through the orange illumination of the station’s exterior as well as strategically placed campaign messages on its media inside the station and on digital billboards across the Greater Boston community.  Additionally, Clear Channel’s digital billboards throughout the Boston region will maintain an eight-second hold on orange once per hour in symbolic reference to the one person diagnosed every hour with MS.

In conjunction with the Greater New England MS Society, The Prudential Center and the Zakim Bridge will also be illuminated orange by Phillips to raise awareness of, and support for, MS research and services that help people living with the immune-mediate disease.

“Someone is diagnosed with MS every hour of the day. Researchers and care providers face considerable challenges as they learn more about MS and strive to help people living with the disease achieve a better quality of life,” said Stephen Ross, president, Clear Channel Outdoor-Boston.  “We are proud to promote awareness to help generate support for research and care services.”

"“The National MS Society is dedicated to creating a world free of MS, but we cannot do it without help.   Orange is the national color for Multiple Sclerosis Awareness, and the illumination of South Station, the Prudential Center, Zakim Bridge and Clear Channel’s digital billboards will have an enormous impact helping bring attention to the issue,” said Michael Marks, project manager, O’Mahony & Sons Electrical, Inc., and member of the steering committee for marketing and fundraising for the New England MS Society. “Clear Channel Outdoor’s generous donation of advertising space on its inventory in the station and digital billboards across Boston will help extend our message more deeply across the community.”

“On behalf of our team at Equity Office and South Station, we are proud to support awareness of the MS Society and hope that someday, we will find a cure,” said Mark Smith, market managing director, Equity Office.

”The MBTA is honored to join in bringing awareness to National MS Awareness Week by illuminating one of our iconic transportation landmarks in the vibrant orange of the National MS Society,” said MBTA General Manager Dr. Beverly Scott.

Clear Channel Outdoor recently acquired the rights to manage South Station’s specialized LED lighting system, 75 impactful ad displays and two captivating digital screens. The digitally controllable LED lighting system that lights the façade of South Station has the capability of producing custom light shows from a palette of more than 16 million colors.

Located in the heart of Boston's major business district, South Station is a restored historic landmark and acts as the major downtown commuter rail station. It serves four million visitors monthly throughout the greater Boston Metro area and is a major hub for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s “T” (Boston's primary public transportation system). Additionally, South Station is a main stop for Amtrak's Northeast Regional service.

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About Equity Office
Equity Office is one of the largest commercial property owners in New England with more than 7.7 million square feet of space in the region, and with a portfolio encompassing approximately 70 million square feet of Class A office space under management in superior locations throughout the country. Equity Office is an affiliate of The Blackstone Group, a pre-eminent global equity firm providing significant financial strength and long term stability. Additional information is available at http://equityoffice.com.

For more information, please contact:
Julia Corbett Tanen
Julia@riotpr.com

Clear Channel Outdoor Promotes Harry Coghlan to Market President, New York

Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCO) today announced the promotion of Harry Coghlan to Market President, New York.  In his new role, Coghlan broadens the scope of his responsibilities in the New York and New Jersey markets to include operations for Clear Channel’s Spectacolor business in Times Square. 

Spectacolor, which offers advertisers access to spectacular digital and traditional billboards, high impact video screens, wallscapes and experiential marketing executions at marquee locations in Times Square, will now more closely integrate with the company’s larger out-of-home advertising operations in New York and New Jersey. This alignment provides for singular topline responsibility for business functions including finance, marketing, operations, real estate and public affairs.  Spectacolor’s unique services -- site development, engineering, construction, and project management now fall under Coghlan.  

“Enhancing our media portfolio in New York is critical to our ability to offer our partners the most powerful advertising solutions in the nation’s most important markets,” said Suzanne Grimes, President and Chief Operating Officer, Clear Channel Outdoor – North America.  “In his time heading up our New York/New Jersey operations, Harry has distinguished himself as a top performer and a collaborative leader who has earned the respect of colleagues, clients and community stakeholders.  I am confident that his increased focus on the total New York market will lead us to even greater heights of success.”  

“New York is a dynamic and challenging marketplace and also one of the most exciting places to operate a media business,” said Coghlan. “I am thrilled at this unique opportunity to combine the full breadth of Clear Channel’s outdoor media solutions in New York to the benefit of advertisers and our entire community.”

Coghlan is an 11-year veteran of Clear Channel Outdoor and most recently led the business in New York and New Jersey excluding Times Square.  He currently serves on the boards of the Lone Survivor Foundation, NYC & Co., the Heart Gallery NYC and the Wagner College Alumni Association.

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Media Contact:
DavidGrabert@ClearChannel.com
212-812-0089

Clear Channel Outdoor Expands Digital Sign Network in Los Angeles Area

14 new digital billboards span Greater Los Angeles, from San Fernando Valley to the Inland Empire, to benefit businesses and strengthen local communities across region

LOS ANGELES – February 3, 2014 – Clear Channel Outdoor today announced it has added 14 new digital signs in the greater Los Angeles marketplace in order to meet advertiser and community demands to reach Los Angeles residents via digital out-of-home advertising. The company now has a digital network of 33 signs in the market. 

Digital signs provide a unique platform for enhanced creativity and promotional flexibility with commercial messages while also equipping local communities with a valuable real-time messaging service for public safety, emergency response, law enforcement and community building. 
Across greater Los Angeles, Clear Channel Outdoor offers a powerful portfolio of traditional and digital signs in a wide array of formats, giving advertisers mass-market reach or specific targeting based on audience demographics or geography.

“Los Angeles is a modern city and the entertainment capital of the world and Los Angeles County is the largest retail and manufacturing county in the nation. To build their businesses, our local and national advertisers demand state-of-the-art communications to reach their customers -- our residents,” said Greg McGrath, President, Clear Channel Outdoor – Southern California.  “Our new digital signs within greater Los Angeles strengthen our ability to reach many of the same audiences we were delivering to advertisers with digital signs in the city itself.  While we continue to advocate for the fair and reasonable use of digital signs within the city, we are pleased to work with communities in the larger Los Angeles marketplace to serve the needs of our advertising clients and to strengthen those communities with the benefits tied to digital signs.”

Clear Channel Outdoor’s digital technology enables instantaneous creative updates and advertiser capability to respond in real-time to current events and market conditions, enhancing the effectiveness of campaigns. The unique and adaptive capabilities of digital signs mesh well with the vibrant culture of Los Angeles, allowing local businesses to connect with their communities while also providing larger advertisers with a means to reach a broad audience.

Outdoor advertising is one of the most effective and affordable marketing tools available to local small businesses.  “Outdoor advertising near our restaurant has been critical to our growth and success in the Los Angeles community,” said Richard Pink, co-owner of famed Pink’s Hot Dogs.  “For many years, billboards have been an economic driver for small businesses like Pink’s because they provide tremendous exposure to the residents of Los Angeles and the millions of visitors we receive each year at a reasonable cost.”

Clear Channel Outdoor’s digital signs are also regularly used to relay critical public safety information during emergency circumstances; this includes AMBER alerts for child abductions, FBI Most Wanted notices, and messaging from local police and fire departments.  Clear Channel Outdoor’s digital network was a significant tool in the 2013 manhunt for police-killer Christopher Dorner, and the digital network was most recently used for safety messaging in conjunction with the Glendora Colby Fire.

The sign industry in Los Angeles generates revenues for cities through business license taxes and other fees and creates a wide range of jobs – from highly skilled technical and digital services positions to maintenance and repair work. In the current period of municipal fiscal constraint, when local governments are seeking ways to generate revenue to support important public services, cities and municipalities all across the country have worked with digital sign companies to secure new revenues.   In recent years, forward-looking cities have implemented legislative solutions to maximize public benefits for their citizens by permitting digital signs in appropriate non-residential locations while also reducing existing traditional signs. In California, Buena Park, Carson, Industry, Baldwin Park, Irwindale, Compton, Sacramento, Oakland and Hayward have joined communities in more than 43 states and 450 U.S. jurisdictions by adopting standards for digital signs.

A complete list of sign locations in the Los Angeles area market is available upon request. 

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Contacts:
David Grabert
Clear Channel Outdoor
(212) 812-0089
DavidGrabert@clearchannel.com

Vanessa Rodriguez
Fiona Hutton & Associates, Inc.
(818) 760.2121
vrodriguez@fionahuttonassoc.com

New Clear Channel Outdoor Digital Billboards in El Paso Urge Families to Apply to Stars Scholarship Fund By March Deadline

Modern El Paso strengthened with more robust digital out of home network for community messaging

El Paso, Texas—February 3, 2014— Today, Clear Channel Outdoor (NYSE: CCO) and the Stars Scholarship Fund launched a campaign on Clear Channel’s seven new digital billboards in El Paso aimed at alerting families with qualified high school and college students that the Fund’s upcoming educational scholarship deadline is March 31, 2014.

Stars Scholarship Fund, a non-profit organization previously known as South Texas Academic Rising Scholars (STARS), previously only awarded scholarships to students residing in South Texas. The 2014-2015 academic year is the first time that West Texas students, including those living in El Paso, are eligible for the scholarships that range from $350 dollars to $10K per-student per-year.  Stars Scholarship Fund awards scholarships annually to students at every level of higher education and all fields of study. In addition, scholarships are awarded to students of any age, gender, ethnicity, religion, and background.

“Our organization wished to expand scholarship opportunities into West Texas to serve a greater population of students,” said Joe LaMantia Jr., founder and chairman, Stars Scholarship Fund. “Since this was the first year those students were eligible, we wanted to make sure there was no way they could miss the deadline to apply for this grant money to further their education. Clear Channel Outdoor’s expanded digital network along heavily travelled commuter miles of El Paso highways will ensure greater visibility for the scholarship fund, its deadlines and that qualifying students capitalize on the opportunity.”

El Paso is the nation’s fastest-growing metropolis, with more than 827,000 people now calling the city home.  The greater Texas, New Mexico and Mexico area is also home to 2.2 million residents, making the people contributing to the growth of this region an even more important audience for advertisers.

The seven new digital billboards give El Paso advertisers and community groups access to a robust out-of-home digital network with 21 screens.  Clear Channel Outdoor has expanded its digital network to help local and national advertisers reach El Paso audiences, and the new digital capabilities in the market enhance the local community with support for law enforcement, emergency response messaging and local community-building non-profits like Star Scholarship Fund.

In El Paso, 26 percent of the public drives an average of 200 plus miles per week. This gives advertisers an even greater opportunity to reach a diverse demographic that's spending more and more time out-of-home.

“The City of El Paso has been on a fast-track promoting new urbanism including smart growth, mixed-use and walkable communities; the development of a modern digital out-of-home network is part and parcel of El Paso’s progressiveness,” said V.J. Smith president, Clear Channel Outdoor-El Paso. “The flexibility and immediacy of our real-time digital media network allows us to play a greater role as a community partner by helping non-profit organizations like Stars Scholarship and law enforcement to get their messages out, while also better serving advertisers seeking to reach El Paso consumers.”

About Stars Scholarship Fund
Stars Scholarship Fund partners with hundreds of local and national businesses, organizations, colleges and universities annually. Together the community has helped Stars raise over $21 million dollars since its start a decade ago. Stars Scholarship Fund has helped over 10,000 students from south Texas receive a higher education through scholarships to date. The goal of our organization is to assist students who do not receive enough or any federal aid to cover the Cost of Attendance at their institution. Stars Scholarship Fund strives to ensure that deserving individuals are not denied the opportunities for learning and discovery that are available in a university setting.

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For more information, please contact:
Jason King
(212)-812-0064
jasondking@clearchannel.com

Polaris Project and Clear Channel Outdoor Launch Anti-Human Trafficking Campaign on Billboards in New York and New Jersey

Human Trafficking Problem Spotlighted in Number One Media Market as 500,000 Football Fans Descend on the Region 

New York, NY – January 28, 2014 – Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCO) and Polaris Project today announced a new campaign designed to shine a spotlight on the serious issue of human trafficking.  Human trafficking is modern-day slavery where profits are derived from the organized control and exploitation of women, children and men for various purposes including labor and sex acts.  Launching today on strategically located billboards in New York and New Jersey, the campaign educates the public on the true scale and diverse victims of human trafficking under the banner “Traffic Report.” 

The “Traffic Report” campaign launched today in New Jersey and New York in order to reach the local public and the more than 500,000 football fans descending on the region for the biggest football game of the year.  This campaign builds on Clear Channel Outdoor’s broader efforts to highlight the issue of human trafficking with Polaris Project and other partners in a variety of markets since 2012, including Baltimore, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Oakland, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Seattle. 

“Human trafficking is a multi-billion dollar business that impacts all of us at the community and national levels and demands greater public awareness and action to help victims,” said Suzanne Grimes, president and chief operating officer, Clear Channel Outdoor – North America. “Polaris Project’s data on the size and scope of the human trafficking industry is sobering, and we felt compelled to use our power to connect to people to develop a strong campaign that would help draw attention to the issue in the biggest way possible -- both to affect change and to send a ray of hope to those who are being exploited.”

“Despite the enormity of the problem, most people don’t even realize that human trafficking is happening in their own back yards, and those being exploited are largely unaware that help is available,” said Bradley Myles, CEO of Polaris Project.  “This form of modern slavery occurs at large sporting events, in suburban brothels, and in farms and factories across America.  We want people to understand that sex and labor trafficking is a huge problem across the country that demands our attention and resources – 365 days a year.”

Over the next two weeks, the campaign will make more than 11 million impressions via 26 strategically located digital billboards in New Jersey and New York.  In Manhattan, the campaign will run at marquee locations including the Port Authority (625 8th Avenue, between 41st and 42nd Streets), Penn Plaza (425/427 7th Avenue, between 33rd and 34th Streets), and Times Square (1560 Broadway, between 46th and 47th Streets). Additionally, 23 Clear Channel Outdoor digital billboards along the I-95 corridor in New Jersey and Westchester County, New York will run the campaign which will raise the visibility of the issue and engage the public to learn more at www.polarisproject.org/365days.

“I applaud Polaris Project and Clear Channel Outdoor for this tremendous campaign to bring national attention to the atrocities of human trafficking that remain so hidden from our society,” said New York City Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo, who represents District 35 in Brooklyn and chairs the Committee on Women’s Issues for the City Council.  “It’s unacceptable that in today’s world, human trafficking still exists.  It is my hope that this campaign will inform victims of trafficking that there is real help available while simultaneously encouraging others to work collaboratively to end this form of modern day slavery."

About Polaris Project
Polaris Project is a leading organization in the global fight against human trafficking and modern-day slavery.  Named after the North Star "Polaris" that guided people escaping slavery along the Underground Railroad, Polaris Project is transforming the way that individuals and communities respond to human trafficking. To get help, report a tip, or request information or training, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline, operated by Polaris Project, at 1-888-373-7888, or send a text message to BeFree (233733).  Learn more at www.polarisproject.org/365days.

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Media Contacts:
Clear Channel Outdoor
DavidGrabert@ClearChannel.com
212-812-0089

Clear Channel Outdoor
Hilary Lefevre, FeverPress
Hilary@FeverPress.com
(212) 300-4929

Polaris Project
Brandon Bouchard
bbouchard@polarisproject.org
(202) 507-7962