Philanthropy

NEW YORK, June 16, 2020 – Better Choice Company (OTCQB: BTTR) (“Better Choice”) is pleased to announce a partnership with iHeartMedia to provide support to animal shelters impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of the Better Choice Company COVID-19 Relief Initiative, sister brands Halo and TruDog have partnered together with iHeartMedia to donate $100,000 in monetary funds and $100,000 worth of product to shelters nationwide. The Company’s COVID-19 Relief Initiative included shelters in Atlanta, Phoenix, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Long Island, and San Francisco.

"Donations play a large role for many animal shelters across the US," said Werner von Pein, Better Choice CEO. "Through our partnership with iHeartMedia we hope to fill some of the void left by decreased donations during the COVID-19 pandemic. We believe that each and every animal impacts our lives and ultimately plays a role in improving our collective well-being. This includes sheltered animals, and that’s why we take giving back so seriously—to help nourish and transform shelter pets to help give them their very best chance at a forever home."

“We are delighted to work with Better Choice on the COVID-19 Relief Initiative during this critical time of need,” commented Peter Volynsky, Executive Vice President, Corporate Development and Ventures at iHeartMedia.

About Better Choice Company, Inc.

Better Choice Company Inc. is a rapidly growing animal health and wellness company committed to leading the industry shift toward pet products and services that help dogs and cats live healthier, happier and longer lives. We take an alternative, nutrition-based approach to animal health relative to conventional dog and cat food offerings and position our portfolio of brands to benefit from the mainstream trends of growing pet humanization and consumer focus on health and wellness. We have a demonstrated, multi-decade track record of success selling trusted animal health and wellness products and leverage our established digital footprint to provide pet parents with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their pet’s health. We sell the majority of our dog food, cat food and treats under the Halo and TruDog brands, which are focused, respectively, on providing sustainably sourced kibble and canned food derived from real whole meat, and minimally processed raw-diet dog food and treats. For more information, please visit https://www.betterchoicecompany.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “believe,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “could,” “target,” “potential,” “is likely,” “will,” “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The Company has based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Some or all of the results anticipated by these forward-looking statements may not be achieved. Further information on the Company’s risk factors is contained in our filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Global Media, Technology and Entertainment Leaders Pledge Over 1 Billion Impressions to Help Slow the Spread Of COVID-19 among Generation Z and Millennials*

Anne-Marie, Backstreet Boys, Camila Cabello, Demi Lovato, Luke Combs, Mariah Carey, Papa Roach, Sam Smith, Tim McGraw, Tori Kelly and More Lend Their Support To “Don’t Stop” PSA Campaign

New York (May 5, 2020) – Today, MediaSavingLives, an alliance of leading global media, technology and entertainment companies, announced their support of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) efforts to help younger Americans embrace their role in slowing and stopping the spread of COVID-19.

Formed in mid-March and organized in conjunction with iHeartMedia, the number one audio company in the United States, and ICX Media, a leader in audience, content intelligence and analytics, the MediaSavingLives Alliance is committed to supporting the public throughout the pandemic and beyond and will evolve its youth-targeted messaging focused on staying home, testing and eventually vaccination. Other Founding Alliance member companies include ZypMedia, Rubicon Project /Telaria, SpotX, Yieldmo, OUTFRONT Media, GroundTruth, Division-D and Zeta Global.

MediaSavingLives adopts a data-driven approach to identifying target audiences and messaging that will yield the greatest public impact. Research shows that Millennials are more likely to feel invincible, leading them to be less likely to follow the CDC’s recommendations about how to stop the spread of COVID-19.

The Alliance’s first public service campaign, “Don’t Stop,” which specifically aims to reach Generation-Z and Millennials, was released today. The radio, outdoor, digital and social creative encourages resilience, connection and social creativity in adopting self-isolation practices during the pandemic. The compelling ads feature ordinary people and celebrities including Anne-Marie, Backstreet Boys, Camila Cabello, Demi Lovato, Luke Combs, Mariah Carey, Papa Roach, Sam Smith, Tim McGraw, Tori Kelly and more.

The campaign demonstrates how people are adapting to their new environments amid varying state-mandated COVID-19 restrictions, and provides hope and inspiration to stay at home and stop the spread. The goal is to empower young adults to focus on helping their communities by contributing their talents and supporting those they love during the crisis.

“Don’t Stop,” which was created and donated by Brunet-García, a social impact marketing agency, will be distributed through a wide variety of channels, including digital, mobile, pre-roll video, connected and local television, broadcast radio and out-of-home digital assets.

All future Alliance messaging will be developed in response to the current state of the pandemic and will take into consideration data trends and private and public feedback from government and health officials. Sensis, an integrated cross-cultural marketing agency will provide strategic direction by combining data intelligence with relevant cultural insights.

The coalition aims to deliver one billion media impressions over the next three months on behalf of federal, state and county health initiatives. The creative displayed on the various platforms will drive the audience to coronavirus.gov or a specific state or county website endorsed by the local health departments.

“We are grateful for all of the efforts of our partners in the MediaSavingLives Alliance,” said Serge Matta, CEO of ICX Media. “I am proud that, together, we can inspire hard-to-reach and at-risk young adults to make impactful daily choices and to acknowledge that small moments of empowerment and resourcefulness can save lives.”

“MediaSavingLives is passionate and committed to support our health experts, government officials and essential workers in our collective efforts to protect our global citizens from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Greg Ashlock, President, iHeartMedia – Markets Group. “We are grateful for the sacrifices so many citizens are making to support public safety, and to those who are self-isolating, we say – Don’t Stop!”

ABOUT ICX MEDIA:

ICX Media is a leading audience, content intelligence & analytics company based in Washington, DC and New York. Led by a team of industry veterans, ICX Media helps media & entertainment companies, brands and agencies create, distribute and promote more effective and engaging videos across a vast array of social, mobile and streaming/OTT/CTV services and channels. Using sophisticated proprietary data science and machine learning/AI, the ICX Media platform empowers video content producers and distributors to better understand their audiences and create more engaging and effective content for those audiences. The platform also enables media & entertainment companies and brands to better market to their target consumers and audience.

ABOUT BRUNET GARCIA

Brunet-García applies exceptional strategic creativity to some of the most complex issues affecting our nation today. We strive to make a difference by focusing our energy in areas of social impact. We translate complexity into understanding; create life-changing communications that resonate across communities and cultures; reach audiences with innovative multi-channel outreach strategies; and inspire action. Learn more by visiting www.brunetgarcia.com

ABOUT ZYPMEDIA

ZypMedia is a programmatic advanced TV platform for local media companies connecting advertisers with their audiences across all screens with a reach of over 90 million households and 620 million unique devices. The ZypMedia demand-side platform was purpose-built to address the unique requirements and complexities of local advertising with an emphasis on premium OTT content and applications.

ABOUT RUBICON PROJECT/TELARIA

Rubicon Project is the world’s largest independent sell-side advertising platform, following its recent merger with CTV leader Telaria in April 2020. The company provides global publishers with the technology and expertise to manage their premium content and leverage data across all screens and formats, including desktop, mobile, audio and CTV, in a transparent environment.

ABOUT SPOTX

SpotX is the leading video advertising platform shaping digital video and the future of TV globally. SpotX has joined the MediaSavingLives Alliance to share the latest information about COVID-19 to educate young Americans and help prevent the spread of the virus. Video ads with youth-targeted messaging will run across SpotX’s platform in both over-the-top (OTT) and online video inventory available thanks to the generous donations by various media owners.

ABOUT YIELDMO:

Yieldmo is one of the world’s fastest-growing digital advertising and attention analytics companies. Agencies and brands use their premium marketplace to create, measure, model and optimize their campaigns for unmatched scale and performance. Underpinned by AEROS Attention Analytics℠, advertisers can now truly understand how consumers are interacting with ads before they click, and after the initial view. Yieldmo ultimately delivers better results by harnessing the power of attention data to drive superior audience engagement and targeting. Visit www.yieldmo.com to learn more.

ABOUT OUTFRONT MEDIA:

OUTFRONT leverages the power of technology, location and creativity to connect brands with consumers outside of their homes through one of the largest and most diverse sets of billboard, transit, and mobile assets in North America. Through its technology platform, OUTFRONT will fundamentally change the ways advertisers engage audiences on-the-go.

ABOUT GROUNDTRUTH

GroundTruth is the leading global location technology company for driving online & offline visits and sales. Using their proprietary Blueprints mapping technology, along with a patented location verification process, GroundTruth is able to reach mobile users in the real world, providing a trustworthy and actionable understanding of local communities. GroundTruth’s platform captures 2 out of 3 smartphone users in the U.S and more than 30 billion global physical visits annually.

ABOUT DIVISION-D

Founded in 2003, Division-D functions as a full-service digital media partner specializing in unique ad placements, innovative targeting strategies and results-driven customer service. Division-D has supported national advertisers and advertising agencies to strategically plan and manage their digital marketing initiatives across multiple platforms, currently including video and Connected TV, streaming audio, mobile, display, social and search.

ABOUT ZETA GLOBAL

Zeta Global is a data-powered marketing technology company that combines one of the industry’s largest consumer data sets (2.4B+ identities, of which 750M+ are deterministic) with results-driven Artificial Intelligence to unlock consumer intent, personalize experiences and power business growth for Fortune 1000 companies, such as GM, Wyndham, Sprint and Progressive. The company’s highly-rated Zeta Marketing Platform has been recognized for its data and omnichannel offerings in multiple analyst report, competing with marketing platforms such as Oracle, SAP, Salesforce and Adobe as well as programmatic platforms, including The Trade Desk. Founded in 2007 by David A. Steinberg and John Sculley and headquartered in New York City, the Company employees 1400+ digital marketing experts in twenty-five offices on four continents. For more information, visit www.zetaglobal.com.

ABOUT SENSIS

Sensis is an integrated cross-cultural marketing agency. We connect brands with people, through meaningful marketing that builds sustainable demand across cultures. We create marketing that looks beyond demographic categories. People don’t live in cultural boxes. The choices they make—especially in a digital world--are continually driven by the intersection of cultures. So, we look for cross-cultural insights to inform all our work, giving purpose and emotional resonance to technical connectivity. Sensis works across a number of industries with a focus on healthcare, financial services, CPG, education, and energy/utilities. Based in Los Angeles, Sensis has offices in Washington DC, Atlanta, Austin and Little Rock. Agency clients include AT&T, the U.S. Army, Sempra Energy, AltaMed, Texas Tech University, the CDC, and Calbright College.

*= Audiences Defined as Ages 18+

Governor Andrew Cuomo, Barbra Streisand, Ben Platt, Bette Midler, Mayor Bill de Blasio, Billy Joel, Bon Jovi, Chris Rock, Cynthia Erivo, Eli Manning, Idina Menzel, Jake Gyllenhaal, Jennifer Lopez, Jimmy Fallon, Julianne Moore, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mariah Carey, Robert De Niro, Sting and More Unite in Virtual Telethon

New York (May 4, 2020) – Robin Hood, New York’s largest poverty-fighting organization, and iHeartMedia will join together with New York television and radio stations to air a citywide “virtual telethon” on Monday, May 11 at 7 PM ET to raise awareness and funds to help New Yorkers whose lives have been dramatically impacted by COVID-19. The show will bring together New York City’s biggest musicians, actors, chefs and more with one common goal: To raise funds for Robin Hood’s relief and recovery efforts, deployed directly to the organizations on the frontlines that serve the city’s most vulnerable during the current crisis and its aftermath. 100 percent of donations will provide support for food, shelter, cash assistance, health and mental health, legal services, education and more – helping fellow New Yorkers rebuild their lives as the city moves towards recovery and beyond.

The one-hour benefit special will be hosted by Tina Fey and simultaneously broadcast on all New York City TV stations, iHeartMedia and Entercom broadcast radio stations, News 12, Spectrum News NY1, SiriusXM and nationally on CNBC (complete list of stations below). Rise Up New York! is executively produced by Alex Coletti Productions and John Sykes, President of Entertainment Enterprises at iHeartMedia, along with talent producers Casey Patterson and Rick Krim.

Appearances include Governor Andrew Cuomo, Angie Mar, Barbra Streisand, Ben Platt, Bette Midler, Mayor Bill de Blasio, Chris Rock, Christopher Jackson, Cynthia Erivo, David Chang, Idina Menzel, Jake Gyllenhaal, Jennifer Lopez, Jimmy Fallon, Julianne Moore, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Robert De Niro, Spike Lee, Sutton Foster, Trevor Noah, New York Giants Super Bowl champions Eli Manning, Michael Strahan, Justin Tuck and Phil Simms, along with real-life accounts of the work being done on the frontlines. Musical performances include Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, Mariah Carey and Sting among others yet to be announced.

“New York City is at the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic. This crisis has created a whole new set of challenges for the millions of New Yorkers who already struggled to make ends meet,” said Robin Hood CEO Wes Moore. “This is a moment where we must all come together and rise up together as a community in support of our neighbors and in support of one another.”

“Every New Yorker has been impacted by this pandemic, but if you had breakfast today with your family, you’re already better off than two million of your neighbors who can’t afford to eat at all,” said Sykes. “It’s not an easy time to ask for donations, but as little as $10 provides a meal for six hungry New Yorkers.”

Last month, Robin Hood responded to the pandemic by assembling a “Relief Corps” of bighearted New Yorkers - from Gwyneth Paltrow and Katie Couric to the New York Knicks, New York Rangers and New York Giants - to raise funds through their personal networks and corporate donors. Robin Hood has a 32-year proven track record of responding first to deploy checks and provide emergency funds where help is needed most, particularly after 9/11 and Superstorm Sandy.

To learn more about Robin Hood’s response to the pandemic and the organization, or to donate, please go to https://www.robinhood.org/

HIGH RES IMAGE: https://wetransfer.com/downloads/3e09bb2a0a5f48b29c501c20cb50bbdd20200504115330/588284

Broadcast information:

Monday, May 11 7-8 PM ET

TV:

CNBC (nationally)

New York Spectrum 1

News 12

All New York local broadcast television stations:

WABC (ABC), WCBS (CBS), WNBC (NBC), WNYW (FOX), WWOR (MyNetworkTV), WPIX (CW), WLNY (Ind.)

Radio:

All iHeartMedia broadcast radio stations: Z100 (WHTZ-FM), LITE-FM (WLTW-FM), Power 105.1 (WWPR-FM), Q104.3 (WAXQ-FM), 103.5 KTU (WKTU-FM), WOR-AM All Entercom broadcast radio stations: News Radio 880 (WCBS-AM), 101.1 CBS-FM (WCBS-FM), Sports Radio 66 and 101.9 (WFAN-AM/FM), 1010 WINS (WINS), NEW 102.7 (WNEW-FM), NY Country (WNSH-FM), ALT 92.3 (WNYL-FM) SiriusXM (nationally) Social media:

Instagram

Twitter

Facebook

Tags: @robinhoodnyc #NY4NY

Contact: robinhood@sunshinesachs.com

ABOUT ROBIN HOOD

Founded in 1988, Robin Hood finds, fuels, and creates the most impactful and scalable solutions lifting families out of poverty in New York City, with models that can work across the country. Robin Hood invests nearly $120 million annually to provide legal services, housing, meals, workforce development training, education programs, and more to families in poverty in New York City. Robin Hood tracks every program with rigorous metrics, and since Robin Hood’s Board of Directors covers all overhead, 100 percent of every donation goes directly to the poverty fight. Learn more at https://www.robinhood.org/ and follow Robin Hood on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Campaign Inspires Listeners to Take Simple Actions During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond That Positively Impact the Planet and Help Save Money

iHeartRadio Earth Inaugural Partners Include the National Environmental Education Foundation and VolunteerMatch

NEW YORK – April 22, 2020 – iHeartMedia, the number one audio company in the United States, today celebrated Earth Day 2020 with the launch of iHeartRadio Earth, a new sustainability initiative designed to inspire iHeart’s millions of listeners to take action to positively impact the environment.

The first phase of the campaign, which launched today, focuses on the environmental impact of consumers’ behavioral changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic; with millions of Americans staying home, there has been a significant increase in energy and water usage as well as how families shop for, consume and dispose of food. The series of PSAs developed in partnership with the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF), the nation’s leading organization in lifelong environmental learning, provide useful tips and information that will promote insights about environmentally conscious actions and behavior while also helping consumers save money during this unprecedented and challenging time. The program also provides listeners with information about virtual ways to explore the outdoors, including free guided tours of national parks, online workshops and more.

Over the course of the year, iHeartRadio Earth will evolve to include a series of local environmental events and initiatives, social media activations, on-air personality and celebrity endorsements and a year-long PSA campaign that will educate audiences across iHeart’s stations and platforms about small steps they can take in their daily lives to make a positive impact in their own communities and on the planet. Additionally, the company plans to create a slate of podcasts that will focus on an array of environmental concerns and issues, as well as adding in a layer of environment-related messaging within other relevant and popular podcasts.

iHeartRadio Earth is designed to sharpen the company’s focus on sustainability with the goal of increasing listeners’ knowledge of simple actions they can take every day to help the environment. The campaign is rooted in the belief that millions of small actions have the potential to make a massive difference for the environment. All of iHeartRadio Earth’s efforts will lead listeners to an online destination for more information on how to conserve and protect the planet in their own communities. The website also provides an opportunity to search for local virtual volunteer activities powered by VolunteerMatch.

“iHeartMedia reaches 9 out of 10 Americans every day. If every one of our listeners took one or two small steps within their day-to-day routines to do things like conserve energy and reduce waste and water, we have a massive opportunity to make lasting impact on the world today and for the future,” said Bob Pittman, iHeartMedia Chairman and CEO. “Through iHeartRadio Earth we will continually inform, educate and inspire our listeners to drive social change by providing them with information, opportunities and resources to make a difference for the environment.”

"As we stay home to try to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus, many of us are beginning to recognize the importance of connecting with nature," said Meri-Margaret Deoudes, president and CEO of the National Environmental Education Foundation. "Spending more time indoors has also significantly increased household water, energy and food consumption. With these factors in mind, we are excited to collaborate on the iHeartRadio Earth campaign by providing listeners with helpful tips for saving money and reducing their impact on the environment."

About VolunteerMatch

Founded in 1998, VolunteerMatch is the most effective way to recruit highly qualified volunteers for nonprofits. We are the largest nonprofit network in the world with the most nonprofits and volunteer opportunities. We believe everyone should have the chance to make a difference. That's why we make it easy for good people and good causes to connect. We've connected millions of people with great places to volunteer and helped tens of thousands of organizations better leverage volunteers to create real impact.

About The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF)

Congressionally chartered in 1990, NEEF is a non-partisan, non-advocacy organization working to make the environment more accessible, relatable, relevant and connected to people’s daily lives. We build effective public-private partnerships and develop programs and initiatives that advance environmental education and engagement in the United States. Learn more at NEEFusa.org.

NEW YORK, MARCH 19, 2020 -- In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ad Council is working in collaboration with the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and major media networks to launch a series of national public service ads (PSAs) and multi-channel content to provide critical and urgent messages to the American public. The creative assets focus on reaching high-risk populations and the general public with messages around social distancing, personal hygiene and mental health. The PSAs direct audiences to visit www.coronavirus.gov, a centralized resource that includes up-to-date information on the crisis.

The country’s largest media companies have committed to use their channels to support consistent messaging across TV, radio, social media, outdoor and digital media. These include ABC/Walt Disney Television, Charter Communications, Comcast, Fox Corporation, National Association of Broadcasters, NBCUniversal, Verizon Media, ViacomCBS and WarnerMedia.

“The COVID-19 virus has impacted our lives in every possible way,” said Lisa Sherman, president and CEO of the Ad Council. “Our hope is that these new PSAs will provide the critical and urgent messaging that will allow us to educate, protect and support our communities across the country as we navigate this uncharted territory together. These efforts are the result of an amazing coalition of leaders across the communications and marketing industries who have offered their talent, services, channels and platforms. The business community’s generosity, compassion, and commitment to do good is both inspiring and essential in this critical time of need.”

The following creative assets were developed in partnership with the Ad Council and the White House:

• NBCUniversal is creating a series of videos (TV and digital) and social graphics, available in both English and Spanish, to inform high-risk populations and the general public about the steps they can take to protect themselves and how they can help slow of the spread of coronavirus.

• National broadcast PSAs featuring the Surgeon General will communicate the most important ways Americans can protect themselves and those most at risk. That script, developed by Group SJR, will also be available as a template for media companies to create assets with their own public health officials.

The following creative assets were developed in partnership with the Ad Council and media companies and platforms:

• ViacomCBS is leveraging its portfolio of brands to deliver multi-platform PSA campaigns that educate audiences around public health imperatives related to COVID-19. In partnership with the Ad Council, ViacomCBS’ Entertainment & Youth Brands led by MTV, Comedy Central, Paramount Network, CMT and VH1, launched #AloneTogether, a national social and talent led campaign that educates audiences on the importance of social distancing and drives unity through entertainment. Available in English and Spanish, the campaign will also be tailored and supported by Nickelodeon, BET, CBS and CBS All Access, Awesomeness, Pluto TV and Showtime. CBS is rolling out a “We’re In This Together” campaign that will include essential public health messages. Additionally, Nickelodeon is preparing a prosocial campaign featuring characters like SpongeBob SquarePants offering kids and families tips on staying informed and engaged through PSAs and suggestions for at-home activities. 

• The Atlantic’s internal creative studio is developing customized digital creative that provides access to relevant information.

• iHeartMedia will support messaging around social distancing and high-risk populations, among other important COVID-19-related topics, across their network of stations.

• ABC/Walt Disney Television is working on priority messaging for parents and families for distribution across their channels and platforms.

All PSAs and content will air and run in time and space that will be donated by the media. For media assets, visit http://coronavirus.adcouncilkit.org/ or PSACentral.

The Ad Council
The Ad Council is where creativity and causes converge. The non-profit organization brings together the most creative minds in advertising, media, technology and marketing to address many of the nation’s most important causes. The Ad Council has created many of the most iconic campaigns in advertising history. Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk. Smokey Bear. Love Has No Labels.

The Ad Council has a long history of creating life-saving public service communications in times of national crisis, starting in the organization’s earliest days during World War II to September 11th and natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Sandy. Its deep relationships with media outlets, the creative community, issue experts and government leaders make the organization uniquely poised to quickly distribute life-saving information to millions of Americans.

The Ad Council’s innovative social good campaigns raise awareness, inspire action and save lives. To learn more,visit AdCouncil.org,follow the Ad Council’s communities on Facebook and Twitter,and view the creative on YouTube.

Multi-Year Media Campaign To Bring Mental Illness Into The Spotlight And Fuel A Global Conversation

Kristen Bell, Wayne Brady, Weezer, Pete Wentz, Charlamagne Tha God, Imagine Dragons And Others Share Personal Insights In National Radio And Video Campaign

NEW YORK (April 30, 2019) It’s time we talk about mental health. Each year, millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness, yet many don’t feel comfortable sharing their experience with others. In observance of Mental Health Awareness Month, iHeartMedia teamed up with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the Child Mind Institute to kick off a multi-year campaign that will raise awareness of mental health and foster a culture within communities that supports talking about mental health issues like anxiety and depression.

“Research shows that talking about mental illness has the power to reduce stigma and to make a suffering person feel less isolated”

The goal of iHeartMedia’s “Let’s Talk” campaign is to weave a virtual support system through iHeartMedia’s 850 stations across the U.S. for people struggling with anxiety and depression and to let them know they are not alone, while also encouraging the general population to check in on the people in their lives by starting a conversation around mental health.

Beginning May 1, 2019 through 2020, iHeartMedia will air a diverse series of PSAs that will educate the public on the general state of mental illness – such as the fact that over 350 million people in the U.S. of all ages are dealing with depression – and describe the signs and symptoms associated with the most common mental health concerns. Additionally, throughout the year, iHeartMedia’s on-air personalities will have open and organic discussions about their personal struggles with mental illness and provide reminders to listeners to take care of their mental well-being and help others who may be struggling.

All of the radio spots drive listeners to iHeartRadio.com/TALK where they will find curated resources published by NAMI and the Child Mind Institute, guides to starting the conversation with a friend, child or healthcare provider, a symptom checker and general information on mental health.

“Research shows that talking about mental illness has the power to reduce stigma and to make a suffering person feel less isolated,” said Jessica King, iHeartMedia’s Vice President of Marketing and Communications. “By activating iHeartMedia’s greatest assets – our listeners, personalities, artists, airwaves and digital platforms – we hope to change the course of this global epidemic and help normalize conversations around mental illness and encourage them to happen more regularly.”

The campaign is also intended to reach parents and educators and to help them identify and proactively address concerns that they may be facing with the kids in their lives. During the month of May, iHeartMedia is providing an extended platform for the Child Mind Institute’s digital campaign #MyYoungerSelf which asks celebrities what they would tell the younger version of themselves about mental health. Radio stations across the country will air 30 second audio clips of artists and celebrities, including Kristen Bell, Wayne Brady, Weezer, Pete Wentz, Charlamagne Tha God, Imagine Dragons and others, sharing heartfelt words of encouragement and advice around mental health. Listeners can also expect to hear more from celebrities who will divulge their own vulnerabilities to bring awareness to mental health issues as part of the “Let’s Talk” campaign in the coming months.

“What I would say as a kid who hated himself and was scared of everything and hid under the bed when it was time to go to school and was different and weird is to find something you really enjoy and work hard at it and know that you are not alone and you are not always going to feel that way,” said Scott Shriner of the band Weezer. “If I had known then how I would turn out now then I could have relaxed a little bit. You are not alone.”

“We are thrilled to be partnering with iHeartMedia to spread the word that mental health disorders are real, common and treatable, and that asking for help is the bravest thing young people can do,” said Child Mind Institute president Harold S. Koplewicz, MD. “Years ago most people suffered in silence with mental health disorders, and people didn’t want to believe that children and adolescents could be anxious or depressed. That’s changing now, and it is a real sign of the times that an organization like iHeartMedia thinks it is important to educate its audience and build awareness.”

“One in 5 of us is affected by mental illness in a given year, and half of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14. Early intervention can make a big difference and can save lives. People affected by mental illness often encounter stigma, or invisible barriers to acceptance and understanding. This is something we need to change, together,” said Katrina Gay, National Director of Strategic Partnerships at NAMI. “NAMI is thrilled to partner with iHeartMedia in our fight to end the stigma of mental illness through encouraged conversation, through education, increased awareness and social action.”

About the Child Mind Institute

The Child Mind Institute is an independent, national nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders. Our teams work every day to deliver the highest standards of care, advance the science of the developing brain and empower parents, professionals and policymakers to support children when and where they need it most. Together with our supporters, we’re helping children reach their full potential in school and in life. We share all of our resources freely and do not accept any funding from the pharmaceutical industry. Visit childmind.org for more information.

About NAMI

The National Alliance on Mental Illness is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness. Join the conversation at nami.org | facebook.com/nami | instagram.com/namicommunicate | twitter.com/namicommunicate #WhyCare and #NAMIcares

iHeartMedia, WPP, Fors Marsh Group, and Government leaders join music icons to tackle stigma around opioid use disorder

NEW YORK, NY, September 3, 2019 – In response to the nation’s opioid epidemic, the National Opioid Action Coalition (NOAC), formed by Fors Marsh Group (FMG), iHeartMedia and WPP, today announced the launch of #TalkToMe – a science-based public awareness initiative that unites the public and private sectors with pop culture influencers to reduce stigma as a barrier to opioid use disorder prevention, treatment and recovery.

#TalkToMe is an extension of NOAC, which works to help federal, state and private sector programs extend their reach and impact in communities affected by the opioid crisis.

While corporate initiatives, community efforts, federal and state spending and resources to combat the opioid epidemic have been on the rise, the stigma of opioid addiction remains one of the biggest obstacles to true progress in combating it.  Pervasive stereotypes – words like “addict,” “abuse,” and “drug abuser” – not only perpetuate the stigma around opioid use disorder, but can affect the type of care a person receives from their provider. Recent studies have found that stigma was among the most commonly cited barriers to substance abuse treatment.

Launched during National Recovery Month, #TalkToMe is an invitation for people to initiate a conversation with a friend or loved one about opioid misuse; for people in recovery to share their stories; and for everyone to learn how to talk about opioid use disorder. The goal is to make it easier for families, communities and workplaces to have the kind of honest, compassionate conversations that will help reduce the stigma that prevents effective treatment and lasting recovery.

The #TalkToMe platform, created by WPP agency VMLY&R, features experiential multi-media activations, including:

A #TalkToMe social media campaign encouraging people to share their stories to help eliminate the stigma around opioid use disorder.

• iHeartMedia will air a series of #TalkToMe vignettes across its 850+ radio stations for the entire month of September, focused on the opportunity to change the narrative and tone around opioid use disorder, encouraging conversation, and inviting listeners to join the movement to break the stigma in America. The radio spots will feature on-air personalities and musicians across a variety of genres including Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx, Macklemore, Camila Cabello, Dan + Shay, Papa Roach, The Band Perry, Jason Wahler, and Wells Adams.   

• Along with information and support resources, the initiative features a #TalkToMe activation toolkit that individuals, advocacy groups and corporations can use to help fight the stigma in their communities. Learn more at www.noac.org. 

• Later this Fall, iHeartMedia will launch an original #TalkToMe podcast series that will feature insightful and inspiring discussions with diverse celebrity guests and subject matter experts.

•  A #TalkToMe panel at Advertising Week NY (Tuesday, September 24 – 3:30pm) that will be moderated by Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx. The dialogue will center around the critical need for brands to support governmental efforts that combat the opioid epidemic. New data about Americans’ comfort in talking about opioid misuse will be shared.

• “As the opioid epidemic continues to grow, reaching deep into many of the communities iHeartMedia serves, we are committed to using our diverse platforms and broad reach to elevate this issue – generating real action by outlining simple things our listeners and advertisers can do to begin to eliminate the stigma around this disorder,” said Alex Cameron, VP Strategic Partnerships & Government Initiatives, iHeartMedia.  “As a founding member of NOAC, we believe that information, discussion and ultimately education will reduce generalized stigma, which will lead to more effective prevention, treatment and recovery efforts for people within these communities.

Through the #TalkToMe initiative, NOAC invites leading companies across all industries to bring the weight of their brands and assets to bear in the fight against the opioid epidemic.

Sean Howard, Global Managing Director, WPP Government and Public Sector Practice, said: “The scale of the opioid epidemic is alarming, with 130 people dying from opioid overdose every day in the U.S., every company is connected to this crisis through their customers, employees, and communities they serve. We have the opportunity to make a difference in this fight, and every brand has a role to play. #TalkToMe is an invitation for companies to step up and join the fight.”

A recent study by Shatterproof found that 75 percent of all people who are impacted by substance misuse are in the workforce, and the estimated yearly economic impact of substance abuse in the workplace is over $442 billion dollars. 

Carolyn Cawley, President of the U.S. Chamber Foundation said: “Addressing a crisis of this magnitude requires everyone who has a stake to be part of the solution – especially the business community. The people who are impacted by America’s opioid epidemic are our employees, our colleagues, and our peers. Initiatives like #TalkToMe are critical to reducing stigma and fighting this unprecedented public health crisis."

#TalkToMe is a science-based initiative guided by behavioral research and social marketing best practices. Dr. Sean Marsh, CEO, FMG said: “It’s critical that we assess these kinds of efforts against what people tell us they might actually do. We find out through research what is efficacious and realistic. FMG’s work on #TalkToMe, as well as previous research we’ve conducted, indicates that on sensitive topics such as these, people will talk to friends and family members, but they need help knowing what to say, and how to say it.”

In addition to NOAC founders, iHeartMedia, WPP and FMG, current #TalkToMe advisors, partners, and supporters include:

The Global Recovery Initiatives Foundation (GRIF), a non-profit community foundation dedicated to addressing the unmet need of those in early recovery of all ages from substance use disorders. GRIF is responsible for helping craft #TalkToMe messaging and working to build the state-based infrastructure of support services for people in early recovery, in all 50 states.

Pam Cytron, GRIF’s Board Chair said: “We are thrilled to partner with NOAC on this initiative. Addiction thrives in darkness and #TalkToMe will help pull opioid use disorder out of the shadows and into the public discourse. This platform will give family and friends new ways to break the stigma, and illustrate that people can and do recover.”

Faces and Voices of Recovery, a national recovery advocacy organization, is partnering with NOAC to help mobilize the millions of Americans living in recovery to share their stories as a way to break the stigma surrounding opioid use disorder. 

Jan Brown, Board Chair, Faces and Voices of Recovery and founder and Executive Director of Spirit Works Foundation said: “Stigma and shame are major barriers in the fight to curb the opioid epidemic in America. #TalkToMe Me encourages conversations between family members, friends and co-workers. If we all join in and speak up, we can begin to break down stigma and save lives.”  

For more information, visit: https://www.noac.org  #TALKTOME

Produced by Hispanic Radio Legend Enrique Santos and Hosted by Kid Entrepreneurs Brandon Martinez and Sebastian Martinez, The “Are You Kidding Podcast” Will Feature On Air and TV Personalities John Leguizamo, Enrique Santos, Bobby Bones, Elvis Duran and Others

NEW YORK – August 05, 2019 – iHeartMedia, the No. 1 commercial podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac, has teamed up with South Florida based charity sock company, Are You Kidding Socks and kid entrepreneurs Brandon Martinez (13 years old) and Sebastian Martinez (11 years old) to launch a new kid-hosted podcast “Are You Kidding Podcast” aimed to inspire kids to help other kids by finding creative ways to give back and benefit Stand Up To Cancer. The eight-episode series will launch Monday, August 5 and run through September, which is Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month.

Produced by Hispanic Radio Legend and Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of iHeartLatino Enrique Santos, “Are You Kidding Podcast” will tell the story of how the two brothers founded Are You Kidding Socks, a for-profit company that designs and sells boutique socks while raising funds and awareness for local and national charities through its philanthropic arm Are You Kidding Cares.

The inaugural episode of the podcast will feature Poppy, a 13-year-old who was diagnosed just five days before her 11th birthday with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and helped design the unique Stand Up To Cancer charity socks. Since 2015, the brothers have sold over 100,000 pairs of socks for cancer research and other charities and have raised nearly $200,000 for organizations such as JDRF, Autism Speaks, Make-a-Wish, American Cancer Society, Live Like Bella Foundation and others.

The iHeartRadio Original “Are You Kidding” podcast will also feature celebrity guests and on-air personalities including John Leguizamo, Bobby Bones and Elvis Duran who will share their own passion for giving back. Additionally, the shows will highlight inspiring kids that have benefitted from the work of Stand Up To Cancer and other organizations and how they are using their stories to impact others. Listeners will be encouraged to go to areyoukiddingsocks.com to purchase a pair of Poppy’s specially-designed Stand Up To Cancer socks to raise funds for cancer research during pediatric cancer awareness month.

iHeartRadio is available on more than 250 platforms and over 2,000 different connected devices — including smart speakers, digital auto dashes, tablets, wearables, smartphones, virtual assistants, televisions and gaming consoles. Visit iHeart.com/apps to download iHeartRadio and listen to the “Are You Kidding Podcast” on your favorite device beginning August 5.

About Are You Kidding Socks

The AYKS brothers support like-minded charitable organizations by offering fun and colorful socks and hands-on support while inspiring others to do the same. Brandon and Sebastian have been living their passion of designing and selling their own line of kids and adult socks while educating our youth about different causes and inspiring them to want to give back.

Country Cares for St. Jude Kids annual fundraising event engaged more than two dozen stations and topped $5 million in donations
 
Memphis, Tennessee - December 15, 2017 – St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® partner iHeartMedia mobilized 26 radio stations across the nation and collectively raised more than $5.6 million during the annual Country Cares for St. Jude Kids national radiothon, December 7 – 8. 

The fundraising event encouraged radio listeners to pledge $20 per month to become “Partners In Hope” with St. Jude. The event was supported across iHeartMedia markets in conjunction with The Bobby Bones Show – iHeartMedia’s nationally syndicated award-winning country morning show – and the $5.6 million raised in just two days this year marks iHeartMedia’s largest national campaign.  

Also, more than 80 country artists supported the St. Jude ‘This Shirt Saves Lives’ campaign in addition to the radiothon. The social media push and on-air promotion through Country Cares radio partner stations attracted thousands of new Partners in Hope and sustaining donors in support of the life-saving research and treatment being done at St. Jude. Artist and donor social posts can be viewed at www.thisshirtsaveslives.org.

St. Jude and iHeartMedia have enjoyed a longstanding partnership for more than 30 years, generating more than $90 million in the past decade to treat St. Jude patients by relying on the power of radio and the generosity of local listeners. Like this year’s successful radiothon, many times in past years iHeartMedia stations have come together to support St. Jude patients and families who never receive a bill from St. Jude for the cost of treatment, travel, housing or food.  

The Bobby Bones Show generated more than $1.7 million with the help of several artists including Lauren Alaina, Kelsea Ballerini and Cole Swindell. Additionally, throughout the year, The Bobby Bones Show supports many St. Jude programs such as the star-studded Bobby Bones & The Raging Idiots’ Million Dollar Show in January at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee.

“The iHeartMedia radiothon program capitalizes on the power of storytelling and iHeartMedia’s unique role as a community medium to inspire and motivate listeners to action,” said Rod Phillips, iHeartMedia SVP of Programming. “We have a rich history of supporting St. Jude – which treats so many children living in the communities in which we serve – and we look forward to many more successful fundraising events in 2018.”

“We greatly appreciate our partnership with iHeartMedia, and are truly inspired by the dedication of its on-air personalities and listeners for passionately supporting the critical cause of finding cures for children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases,” said Richard Shadyac Jr., President and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “It’s remarkable to see how deeply the entire country music industry has embraced the lifesaving mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This record-breaking year is an amazing achievement for the Country Cares for St. Jude Kids program.”

Participating iHeartMedia radio stations include: WMZQ Washington, DC; WAMZ Louisville; WGAR Cleveland; WKKT Charlotte; WBWL Boston; KTOM Salinas, CA; WSIX Nashville; KASE Austin; KWNR Las Vegas; WMIL Milwaukee; WNCB Raleigh; KTST Oklahoma City; WQIK Jacksonville; KODA Houston, among others. KEEY in Minneapolis, and San Antonio’s KAJA air this week.

About St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude is working to drive the overall survival rate for childhood cancer to 90 percent, and we won’t stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude freely shares the discoveries it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. Join the St. Jude mission by visiting stjude.org, liking St. Jude on Facebook (facebook.com/stjude) and following us on Twitter (@stjude).

Song To Be Released Across iHeartMedia Radio Stations Nationally Immediately Following Jingle Ball Performance 
Robin Hood Board Agrees To Match Up To $100,000 in Contributions From Fans and Listeners 

New York, NY – December 9, 2016 - iHeartMedia has teamed up with the super star artists participating in the 2016 iHeartRadio Z100 Jingle Ball Presented by Capital One on Friday, Dec. 9 at New York City’s MSG, and Robin Hood, New York City’s largest poverty fighting organization, to raise money to help the homeless during the holiday season with the release of an original version of the iconic classic holiday song “Santa Claus is Coming To Town.” The special collaboration will be performed live on stage by DNCE along with special guests Daya, Hailee Steinfeld, Fifth Harmony, Tinashe, Charlie Puth, Rita Ora and others.  Fans and listeners can contribute to the cause by donating via text or online. 

There are more than 1.8 million New Yorkers living in poverty. Over 60,000 of them live in homeless shelters, including 23,000 children – enough to fill Madison Square Garden. 

For those wanting to help Robin Hood and iHeartMedia shelter and feed the homeless in NYC, donations may be made by texting 27722 to give $10, or visiting rh.org/give. Thanks to the generosity of all participating musicians, music labels and Robin Hood’s board of directors, 100 percent of the proceeds will benefit local homeless families in New York. Additionally, the Robin Hood Board will match all contributions up to $100K.

This special holiday song release marks the beginning of an annual tradition of the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour Presented Capital One.  The exclusive version of ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town’ will broadcast live on over 100 iHeartRadio stations across the country and video streamed live on CWTV.com tonight.  The song will also be included in the CW Network exclusive national broadcast of the 2016 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Presented by Capital One on December 15.   And, beginning Saturday, Dec. 10 the song will be played on hundreds of iHeartMedia’s radio stations across the country through Christmas day.

“The homeless in New York City and across the country are hardest hit during the holiday season and it’s incredible to see that once again musicians and artists have stepped up to help those less fortunate,” said John Sykes, President of Entertainment Enterprises at iHeartMedia.  “iHeartMedia is committed to using all of our powerful assets -- radio, digital, video, live events and social -- in the spirit of giving back to the needy during the holidays.”

“iHeartMedia is the best kind of partner. Their commitment to helping New Yorkers grappling with poverty runs deep,” said David Saltzman, executive director of Robin Hood. “Providing the basics for survival – shelter and food – to those in need is critical year-round, but it’s particularly appreciated now.”

The "iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour Presented by Capital One" is now the holiday season’s premiere music event with performances by the year’s biggest recording artists. The iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2016 Tour Presented by Capital One will stop in Dallas; San Francisco; Los Angeles; Minneapolis; Philadelphia; New York; Boston; Washington, D.C.; Chicago; Atlanta; Tampa and Miami.
 
About Robin Hood
Robin Hood, New York’s largest poverty-fighting organization, creates and funds over 200 of the most effective programs, to help 1.8 million New Yorkers learn and earn their way out of poverty. Robin Hood’s board underwrites all operating costs, so 100% of every donation goes directly to serve New Yorkers in need.www.robinhood.org Facebook:facebook.com/robinhood Twitter:@robinhoodnyc