Philanthropy

Multi-platform media campaign will stress the importance of summer learning opportunities to keep kids healthy, happy and engaged in July and August

New York City - July 12, 2016 - In an effort to close the achievement gap by supporting the expansion of access to summer learning opportunities, the National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) – an organization dedicated to spreading summer learning opportunities across the country as a solution for equity and excellence in education – has partnered with Clear Channel Outdoor Americas (NYSE:CCO) (CCOA), one of the world’s largest outdoor advertising companies, and iHeartMedia, Inc., the media and entertainment company with the largest reach of any radio or TV outlet in America, for a national public service campaign to stress the importance of keeping kids learning, safe and healthy this summer.

The out-of-home (OOH) media and radio public service announcements will highlight the NSLA’s Smarter Summers = Brighter Futures campaign, promoting summer learning as a strategy to help young people get ahead in the new school year. CCOA will leverage its digital OOH network to run the PSAs on nearly 1,000 digital billboards across 28 markets, and iHeartMedia will air public service announcements voiced by First Lady Michele Obama across its more than 850 radio stations this summer in July and August.

The campaign will enhance the Summer Opportunity Project, a multi-agency effort led by the White House and in partnership with the NSLA, CCOA and iHeartMedia to support communities across the country in promoting productive summer opportunities for youth. With more non-profit private sector partnerships, the NSLA looks to achieve its 2020 Vision, an effort to ensure that by 2020, every city, town and county in America will provide summer learning, job opportunities and summer meals to every young person who qualifies for free and reduced-price meals.

“At iHeartMedia, we believe in using our resources to inspire action in the thousands of neighborhoods in which we have a presence, and we believe that education sets the foundation for community success,” said Scott Wells, Chief Executive Officer, Clear Channel Outdoor Americas. “We have joined with NSLA to promote continuous learning opportunities for all young students -- especially during the summer months -- and will inform the public of the resources available in their communities to keep kids learning, safe and healthy all summer long.”

Added Sarah Pitcock, CEO of the NSLA, “Inequity plagues society and nowhere is this more apparent than our education system and access to high-quality summer learning opportunities. To ensure brighter futures for our children, we must make smarter investments in their summers to close the summer opportunity gap. White House initiatives like the Summer Opportunity Project are integral to the work NSLA does and support from companies like CCOA and iHeartMedia is indispensable to help raise awareness of the issue all across the country and continue our work to close the summer opportunity gap.”

Every summer, low-income youth lose two to three months in reading achievement, while their higher-income peers make slight gains. And, most youth lose about two months of grade-level equivalency in math skills in the summer. Year after year, these losses accumulate. By fifth grade, the cumulative years of summer learning loss can leave low-income students almost three years behind their peers. In fact, more than half of the achievement gap between lower- and higher-income youth can be explained by unequal access to summer learning opportunities.

In addition to education, to ensure America’s youth are safe, healthy and productive during the summer, NSLA, the White House and government agencies are working on summer programs to keep young people properly fed, help them develop the skills necessary to enter the workforce, and set them on a meaningful career path. Research shows that in addition to preventing summer learning loss, focusing on summer meals and jobs is critical to protecting and equipping children and families:

• Minority children gain weight up to twice as fast during the summer than during the school year. To help stabilize their diets during the summer, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program subsidizes meals for young people. In 2014, 3.2 million youth took advantage of this service on an average day.
• Summer jobs are critical for young people because they divert them from criminal involvement and reduce overall violence, yet nearly 46 percent of youth who applied for summer jobs were turned down, according to a recent study, and over the past 12 years there has been a 40 percent decline in summer job opportunities for our country’s youth.

About National Summer Learning Association
The National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) is the only national nonprofit exclusively focused on closing the achievement gap by increasing access to high-quality summer learning opportunities. NSLA recognizes and disseminates what works in summer learning, develops and delivers capacity-building offerings and convenes and empowers key actors to embrace summer learning as a solution for equity and excellence in education. For more information, visit www.summerlearning.org

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital® and iHeartMedia use the unparalleled power of radio to raise more than $80 million in the last decade

$3.8 million raised in just two days during the annual Country Cares for St. Jude Kids® radio event on Feb. 25-26

MEMPHIS, Tenn., -- March 23, 2016 -- iHeartMedia and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital® have partnered for more than 30 years, together generating more than $80 million in the past decade to treat St. Jude patients by relying on the power of radio and the generosity of local listeners. And recently iHeartMedia helped raise $3.8 million for St. Jude during the company's annual Country Cares for St. Jude Kids radiothon on Feb. 25-26 – an event supported by 38 iHeartMedia cities and The Bobby Bones Show, the nationally syndicated award-winning country morning show, in 22 of the participating markets.

The iHeartMedia radiothon program capitalizes on radio's unique role as a community medium to drive donations, and typically lasts between one and two days, during which time stations press pause on their day-to-day programing to dedicate all attention and resources to the St. Jude mission of finding cures and saving children. The program uses the power of storytelling to spotlight a number of children and their families that have been treated at the hospital. Radio listeners who hear their stories often pledge to support St. Jude with a donation of $20 per month.

In 2015, 56 iHeartMedia radio stations covering country, gospel and urban genres, produced annual radiothons – Country Cares for St. Jude Kids® and Radio Cares for St Jude Kids® – and raised $8.8 million for the kids of St. Jude. Country Cares for St. Jude Kids has been noted as one of the most successful radio fundraising programs in America. As a collective industry, more than 300 radio stations across all formats have helped raise more than $600 million for the lifesaving work at St. Jude since the program's inception, and the St. Jude family of partner stations continues to expand.

On-air personalities have proven to be a driving force behind some of the most successful radio campaigns, including Country Cares for St. Jude Kids. According to the 2014 iHeartMedia Power of Personality Study, 7 in 10 listeners agree on-air personalities really care about their listening audience, and consumers feel DJ's are two times more likely than other media personalities to care about their communities.  Six in 10 listeners recognize and appreciate radio personalities for discussing things that are relevant and important to them.

Throughout the year, The Bobby Bones Show supports additional St. Jude programs, and many iHeartMedia stations around the country also fundraise for the hospital on different dates.  On-air personality Bobby Bones raised more than $1 million for St. Jude with a series of fundraising events last year, capped with the star-studded "Million Dollar Jam" concert in December at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee.

"St. Jude is country music's charity of choice," said Bones. "I've been there. I know the money our fans donate is put to good use."

Funds raised through programs like this help ensure St. Jude has the freedom to focus on what matters most – saving kids regardless of their financial situation. 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.

"iHeartMedia supports the lifesaving work of St. Jude by utilizing the company's broad reach to raise funds and public support so that its work can continue," said Jessica King, Director of Community Engagement at iHeartMedia.  "Our annual radiothon program proves the power of radio to inspire, educate and motivate listeners to action. We use our platform and personalities to present stories of incredible families who are coping with severe illness and have found a level of relief at St. Jude. "

"We are incredibly humbled by the support of the iHeartMedia network as well as the generous listeners who donate during our radiothons," said Richard Shadyac Jr., President and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. "The time and talent devoted each year to sharing our mission and raising funds are critically important in helping St. Jude doctors and scientists find cures and save the lives of children in every community who are battling cancer and other life-threatening diseases."

Clear Channel Outdoor & iHeartMedia Join the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) for Second Annual National Police Week Tribute to Law Enforcement Heroes
 
NYPD Commissioner Bratton, NY City Council Members and NYPD Families Join in Solidarity in Times Square to Honor Fallen Peace Officers

New York, NY - May 6, 2015 - The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), dedicated to telling the story of American law enforcement and making it safer for those who serve, and its media partners Clear Channel Outdoor Americas (NYSE: CCO), one of the world’s largest outdoor advertising companies, and iHeartMedia, Inc., the media and entertainment company with the largest reach of any radio or TV outlet in America, today announced their second annual partnership to honor fallen law enforcement officers whose names will be dedicated on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in conjunction with National Police Week, May 10-16, 2015.
 
Against the backdrop of one of the company’s full-motion digital billboards along Broadway in Times Square, the companies launched their second annual Police Week salute with a special tribute to fallen officers in a press conference hosted by NLEOMF Chairman and CEO Craig Floyd, who was joined by NYPD Commissioner William J. Bratton, New York City Council Members Mark Treyger and Donovan Richards, and families of the NYPD law enforcement officers who are being honored by the memorial fund this year.
 
During the press conference, Clear Channel Outdoor Americas (CCOA) displayed individual creative for each of the *273 law enforcement officers whose names are being dedicated on the Memorial walls this year, 117 of whom were killed in the line of duty in 2014. Each officer’s individual profile features the fallen officer’s photo (if available), agency and end of watch date.
 
iHeartMedia Inc.’s campaign begins today and runs through Police Week. Following today’s press conference, the Times Square officer tributes will unfurl in a national digital out-of-home memorial for four days on the company’s more than 1,100 large format digital billboards and digital bus shelters across 37 of the top U.S. markets and specifically in the communities where they served. Additionally, over 7,000 public service advertisements (PSAs) will air across iHeartMedia’s 858 radio stations to pay tribute to officers who lost their lives.  The spots encourage public participation during the designated week of remembrance and drive listeners to LawMemorial.org where they can light a virtual candle, donate or simply learn about the heroic acts of these brave men and women.
 
As part of the campaign to honor all 20,538 of the American law enforcement officers added to the memorial since its inception, CCOA is running creative that encourages the public to donate to the Memorial Fund’s United by Light program and dedicate a virtual candle with a personalized message in honor of a special officer. Altogether, it is estimated that the ten day outdoor and radio campaign will generate nearly 100M impressions.
 
In addition, at 8 p.m. ET on May 13, during the annual Candlelight Vigil in Washington, D.C., all of CCOA’s nearly 1,200 digital billboards across the U.S. will pause for 2 minutes on a single iconic image in remembrance of the 273 U.S. law enforcement officers whose names are being formally dedicated on the Memorial.  In New York, CCOA’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 of the Candlelight Vigil while inviting passersby to pause, honor and remember.
 
“I am proud to be part of this important tribute to honor the brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for the communities they served,” said William J Bratton, Police Commissioner of the City of New York.  “I particularly want to acknowledge those officers from our New York City community who are being honored this year, including Dennis E Guerra, WenJian Liu, Rafael L Ramos, Michael C Williams, and Thomas K Choi.  This campaign reflects the integrity, dignity, and pride these Americans displayed every day.”
 
“At iHeartMedia & Clear Channel Outdoor Americas, we believe in using the power of all of our assets in the service of giving back, and in assisting the organizations and individuals that help our neighbors and our communities,” said Richard Bressler, President, COO and CFO, iHeartMedia, Inc.  “We are honored to be part of National Police Week, and over the coming days we will use our spectrum of multiplatform assets to honor the hundreds of officers who tragically lost their lives in the line of duty.”
 
“We are once again honored to partner with the Memorial Fund to pay tribute to our fallen heroes,” said Scott Wells, CEO, CCOA.  “Police Week is an important reminder to acknowledge those officers who lost their lives in the line of duty and to thank those who continue to serve.  We are pleased to be able to support this important occasion with our national remembrance across our CCOA digital network as well as iHeartMedia.”
 
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 60 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 273 names this year, the Memorial now bears witness to 20,538 fallen officers.
 
“Our partnership with iHeartMedia, Inc. has enabled Americans across the country to pay meaningful tribute to our fallen officers,” said Craig W. Floyd, Chairman & CEO of the Memorial Fund. “Last year’s digital out-of-home and radio tribute struck a strong chord with communities and we are grateful to Clear Channel Outdoor Americas and iHeartMedia for their continued support of the Memorial Fund’s mission. This campaign provides people an opportunity to thank our officers for their dedication and unlimited strength and we are humbled by their families’ continued support as well.”
 
*More than immediate prior year line of duty deaths are verified annually by the NLEOMF.

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 telling the story of American law enforcement and making it safer for those who serve. The Memorial Fund maintains the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, which contains the names of 20,538 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 LawMemorial.org.

iHeartMedia Partners With No Ceilings: The Full Participation Project To Address Gender Inequality On International Women’s Day

In A Bold Statement, iHeartMedia & Clear Channel Outdoor Temporarily Remove Iconic Women From Radio And Billboards
 
New York, NY – March 9, 2015 – iHeartMedia, the leading global media and entertainment company with the largest reach of any radio or television outlet in America, joined a provocative pro social campaign in conjunction with No Ceilings: The Full Participation Project, an initiative of the Clinton Foundation, in a collaborative effort to raise awareness that women are “not there” yet on issues of gender equality.  For a full day, iHeartMedia and Clear Channel Outdoor will use its broad range of multi-platform assets – including radio, digital and out-of-home – to raise public awareness, and will join other leading companies including Condé Nast, Dove and TRESemmé, Under Armour, Kate Spade, the New York City Ballet and others to temporarily remove female images from highly visible media profiles and redirect the public to NOT-THERE.org to learn why. The newly launched website features celebrities including Amy Poehler, Cameron Diaz, Jenny Slate, Padma Lakshmi and Sienna Miller, who came together in a sharable video to inspire Americans to learn the facts on gender equality and inspire action on a global scale.

Beginning March 8 and running through the evening of March 9, more than 185 iHeartMedia radio stations across the country and its on-air personalities will launch a targeted on-air and online campaign in support of NOT THERE.   In a symbolic approach, the on-air campaign will play clips from the hottest and most iconic female artists – sans the female vocal track. Similarly, Clear Channel Outdoor will help NOT THERE make a bold statement in Times Square and at other high impact New York locations by removing female images from outdoor ads. NOT THERE aims to inspire a generation to learn more and take action for the full participation of women and girls – in the U.S. and around the world.
 
“We are taking a collective stand that full participation for women and girls anywhere and everywhere remains the unfinished business of the 21st century,” said Clinton Foundation Vice Chair Chelsea Clinton. “By knowing the facts and what has worked and hasn't worked to advance gender equality, we can accelerate the pace of change for women and girls — both at home and around the world.”

“For iHeartMedia, International Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate the invaluable contributions that women have made to the world, but most especially within music and entertainment, and set this stage for future progress,” said Gayle Troberman, EVP and CMO for iHeartMedia, Inc. “It is our hope that our participation and commitment to the NOT THERE – A No Ceilings Project will help ignite and energize the next generation to continue fighting every day for equality, until we are indeed, there.”
 
About the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation
The Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation convenes businesses, governments, NGOs, and individuals to improve global health and wellness, increase opportunity for women and girls, reduce childhood obesity, create economic opportunity and growth, and help communities address the effects of climate change. Because of our work, 26,000 American schools are providing kids with healthy food choices in an effort to eradicate childhood obesity; more than 40,000 farmers in Malawi, Tanzania, and Rwanda have improved their incomes by more than 500 percent; 33,500 tons of greenhouse gas emissions being reduced annually across the U.S.; more than 5,000 people have been trained in marketable job skills in Colombia; 8.2 million people have access to lifesaving HIV/AIDS medications; $200 million in strategic investments have been made, impacting the health of 75 million people in the U.S.; and members of the Clinton Global Initiative have made nearly 3,100 Commitments to Action to improve more than 430 million lives around the world.
 
Learn more at http://www.clintonfoundation.org on Facebook at Facebook.com/ClintonFoundation and on Twitter @ClintonFdn.

Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Earns the Ad Council's Crystal Bell Award at RAB-NAB Radio Show

Ad Council and Clear Channel Communities to Promote Safe Summer Driving in Support of Existing Road Safety Campaigns

More Than $3.5 Million in Donated Media Pledged for Safe Driving PSA Campaign in Advance of July 4th When Traffic Volume Increases

New York - June 30, 2014 – The Ad Council and Clear Channel Communities, the community engagement brand of Clear Channel, are joining forces to launch Safe Summer Driving, a campaign designed to keep everyone safe on the roads this summer, in support of already existing campaigns with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A new series of radio and online public service advertisements (PSAs) launched today in an effort to encourage drivers nationwide to make responsible choices that don’t endanger themselves or others. The PSAs and a new online destination, iHeartRadio.com/SummerDriving, emphasize the importance of distracted and buzzed driving prevention.

The Safe Summer Driving campaign will air nationally in donated airtime on all 840 Clear Channel Media and Entertainment radio stations in 150 markets during the next three weeks. Clear Channel Communities’ commitment includes airtime valued at $3.5 million for the PSAs and digital placement on station websites.

“Clear Channel is committed to helping radio listeners stay safe on the roads this summer.  Through Safe Summer Driving, we hope to inspire our communities to drive responsibly this season,” said Jessica King, Director of Community Engagement for Clear Channel.  “By partnering with The Ad Council, we can provide excellent resources for our listeners to prevent summer driving dangers.”

According to NHTSA, summer is the deadliest time of year to be on the road. Twenty-four years of NHTSA data reveal that nearly half of all deadly traffic accidents on the Fourth of July are the result of impaired driving.  People who consume just a few drinks may not recognize that they are too impaired to drive, but buzzed driving can have the same devastating results as drunk driving.

Furthermore, statistics show that 25 percent of teens respond to a text message once or more every time they drive. Pleasant summer conditions can give drivers a false sense of security, which leads to speeding, as well as distracted, unbelted and/or impaired driving, all of which increase the likelihood of a crash.

The new series of English radio spots, developed and produced pro bono by Merkley + Partners, and Clear Channel Media and Entertainment respectively, promote safe driving, and, inform listeners that summer is the most dangerous time of year to drive.  The PSAs direct audiences to visit iHeartRadio.com/SummerDriving to find facts about the impact of distracted and buzzed driving, access tips for curbing these dangerous behaviors, and help spread the word by writing an open letter or taking a safe driving pledge.
 
“Clear Channel has been an exemplary media partner throughout our history, providing support for a number of critically important social issues,” said Peggy Conlon, president and CEO of the Ad Council. “We’re looking forward to extending our safe driving messages to help reduce buzzed and distracted driving, prevent injuries, and ultimately save lives this summer and throughout the year.”

Clear Channel Media and Entertainment has long led the industry in both the quantity and breadth of community service programs at the local, regional and national levels.  It has been the largest single contributor of media time to the Ad Council for the past five years. The PSAs will air on stations including iconic brands such as Z100, 106.7 Lite FM, 103.5 KTU, Q104.3 and Power 105.1 in New York City, KFI AM 640 and KIIS FM in Los Angeles, WDAS in Philadelphia, V103 in Chicago, 700WLW in Cincinnati, 93.3 FLZ in Tampa and SUNNY 99.1 FM in Houston.

The Ad Council and NHTSA have partnered together for more than 30 years to help improve safety on U.S. roadways through public service efforts that promote texting and driving prevention, drinking and driving prevention, and the use of safety belts and child car seats. Since the 1983 inception of the now-iconic Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk campaign, the annual number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities has dropped significantly.

About The Advertising Council
The Ad Council is a non–profit organization with a rich history of marshaling volunteer talent from the advertising and media industries to deliver critical messages to the American public. Having produced literally thousands of PSA campaigns addressing the most pressing social issues of the day, the Ad Council has affected, and continues to affect, tremendous positive change by raising awareness, inspiring action, and saving lives. To learn more about the Ad Council and its campaigns, visit www.adcouncil.org. You can also visit www.facebook.com/adcouncil or follow the Ad Council on Twitter @AdCouncil.

Clear Channel to Promote National HIV Testing Day With Greater Than AIDS

Marks 5th Year of Sustained Partnership with Greater Than AIDS

NEW YORK, NY – June 13, 2014 – Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, the leading media company in America with a greater reach in the U.S. than any radio or television outlet, announced today that it is joining with Greater Than AIDS, a leading public information response to the domestic epidemic, to educate the public on the importance of routine HIV/AIDS testing and to empower listeners to know their status.  The two-week campaign will culminate on June 27, 2014, National HIV Testing Day in the U.S.

Of the more than 1.1 million people living with HIV/AIDS nationwide, an estimated one in six do not know they are positive, and only one in four has the virus under control with ongoing treatment.  Beginning June 14, Clear Channel will air a two-week public service announcement (PSA) campaign across its more than 60 Urban radio stations, featuring spots voiced by 14-time Grammy® Award winning artist Alicia Keys.  Listeners will learn the importance of early diagnosis and treatment, which is known to improve health, extend life and help to prevent the spread of the disease.

“Media plays a powerful role in helping to inform and confront the stigma that still surrounds HIV/AIDS,” said Tina Hoff, Senior Vice President and Director of the Health Communication and Media Partnerships program at the Kaiser Family Foundation.  “We are so grateful for the longstanding partnership with Clear Channel on Greater Than AIDS which is reaching so many with life-saving information that will help us realize an AIDS-free future.”

As a founding media partner of Greater Than AIDS, Clear Channel Media and Entertainment has made a substantial commitment to help bring attention to HIV/AIDS by utilizing its wide range of multi-media assets.  Earlier this year, Clear Channel was the exclusive radio partner for a 30-minute on-air program featuring Keys in conversation with five inspiring women living with HIV in the U.S.  The program was part of the Greater Than AIDS “Empowered” campaign, which continues to educate women in the U.S. about HIV/AIDS. 

Long-form programming and public affairs shows, which feature top-talent including Steve Harvey, Mo’Nique and B. Scott, are focused on helping Clear Channel listeners gain a deeper understanding of HIV/AIDS and available treatments.  Digital banner PSAs have appeared across Clear Channel’s web properties, including radio station pages and iHeartRadio.com, and lead to www.greaterthan.org to provide resources and information about HIV/AIDS testing and treatment.  Clear Channel Outdoor, the leading innovator in out-of-home advertising, has placed hundreds of digital billboards to promote the “Empowered” campaign and to support additional Greater Than AIDS messages. 

“National HIV Testing Day is an exciting opportunity to educate Clear Channel listeners nationwide about the importance of routine HIV testing,” said Jessica King, Clear Channel’s Director of Community Engagement.  “Clear Channel’s longstanding commitment to Greater Than AIDS will continue to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, empower listeners to know their status with the goal of helping to stop the spread of HIV.”

About Greater Than AIDS
Greater Than AIDS is a leading national public information response focused on the U.S. domestic epidemic. Launched in 2009, it is supported by a broad coalition of public and private sector partners, including: major media and other business leaders; Federal, state and local health agencies and departments; national leadership groups; AIDS service and other community organizations; and foundations, among others. Through targeted media messages and community outreach, Greater Than AIDS works to increase knowledge, reduce stigma and promote actions to stem the spread of the disease. While national in scope, Greater Than AIDS focuses on communities most affected.

The Kaiser Family Foundation provides strategic direction and day-to-day management, as well as oversees the production of the campaigns. The Black AIDS Institute – a think tank exclusively focused on AIDS in Black America – provides leadership and expert guidance and supports community engagement. Additional financial and substantive support is provided by the Elton John AIDS Foundation and Ford Foundation, among others.

Find out more at greaterthanaids.org
Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/greaterthanaids
Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/greaterthanaids

iHeartRadio Show Your Stripes Receives Two Halo Awards, The Industry’s Highest Cause Marketing Honor

Clear Channel's Effort to Help Returning Veterans Re-Enter the Workplace Also Wins PR News’ Corporate Social Responsibility Award

New York – May 29, 2014 - Clear Channel Media and Entertainment announced today that iHeartRadio Show Your Stripes, its effort to help veterans re-enter the workplace by highlighting their valuable training and experience, has received two Halo Awards for its work. iHeartRadio Show Your Stripes won the 2014 Halo Award for Best Message-Focused Campaign, a category recognizing businesses that use its resources to share a specific message, as well as a second Halo Award for Best Social Service Campaign for its targeted approach to addressing the growing social issue of veteran unemployment.  iHeartRadio Show Your Stripes was the only campaign to be honored twice at this year’s event. 

Since the program’s launch, Clear Channel has invested well over $100 million in radio, digital and out-of-home resources to highlight the skills brought back by returning servicemen and women and their value to employers in the workplace.  Clear Channel’s iHeartRadio Show Your Stripes is the largest public service program in the company’s history and the most mainstream public campaign addressing the growing issue of U.S. veteran unemployment in communities across the nation.

For the past 11 years, the Cause Marketing Forum’s Halo Awards have recognized businesses and nonprofits that "do well by doing good."  The Halo Awards are the highest annual accolade in North America within the field of cause marketing honoring nine categories with four finalists in each category.  A list of all Cause Marketing Halo Award winners can be viewed online at http://www.CauseMarketingForum.com/2014finalists.

“In this crowded marketplace, Cause Marketing Halo Award-winning campaigns have risen to the top because of their authenticity, effectiveness in communicating a cause message and ability to generate social and financial dividends,” said David Hessekiel, Cause Marketing Forum President.  “These campaigns offer creative partnership solutions that leverage assets of company and cause.”

Early this year, PR News recognized iHeartRadio Show Your Stripes among organizations that they determined to be the top players in corporate social responsibility and that have set new standards of excellence.  Clear Channel received PR News' CSR Award for Social Good, a category that showcases an agency or corporation that has integrated into its overall business model the desire to improve common public welfare.  Other PR News CSR Award winners included AT&T, Office Depot Foundation, Sprint, TD Ameritrade, American Airlines, Hyundai, Time Warner Cable Media and NBCUniversal.

“A year ago Clear Channel embarked on a significant effort to support our returning veterans by leveraging Clear Channel’s enormous reach to connect vets with businesses looking to hire.  We turned on all of our assets – broadcast, digital and out-of-home – in the loudest way possible to showcase the value vets offer employers,” said John Sykes, President of Clear Channel Entertainment Enterprises.  “We couldn’t be more pleased by the response from veterans, businesses, the public, celebrities and military leaders who have all rallied behind our efforts and are helping us to grow and evolve the program beyond 2014."

In Just Two Days Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Raises $3 Million to Fund The Fight Against Childhood Cancer At St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®   

MEMPHIS, TENN. – March 20, 2014 – Clear Channel Media and Entertainment helped raise $3 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® during the group’s annual Country Cares® radio event on Feb. 27-28, 2014. 

Radio listeners in 31 cities, including Chattanooga, Tenn. (WUSY/country), Waco, Texas (WACO/country), Montgomery, Ala. (WHLW/gospel) and Las Vegas (KWNR/country), tuned in to pledge their support to St. Jude by making a donation of $20 per month.

The event enjoyed support from The Bobby Bones Show in 14 of the participating markets.  Throughout the year, The Bobby Bones Show supports additional St. Jude programs, and hundreds of Clear Channel stations around the country also fundraise for the hospital on different dates.  Clear Channel’s cumulative fundraising total for St. Jude in 2013 topped $6.7 million and is on track to do the same again this year.

Bones, who spent time at St. Jude’s Memphis hospital in January for the annual Country Cares® seminar, stated, “Having had the chance to visit St. Jude, I got to see firsthand the incredible work they are doing.  Knowing where these funds go, we can’t thank our listeners enough for their support of this great cause.”

“For the past 25 years Clear Channel’s country stations have rallied together to raise hundreds of millions of dollars for St. Jude through the Country Cares® program.  Our local programming, promotions, and on-air staff work together to effectively convey to listeners the impact the hospital has in communities around the globe,” said Clay Hunnicutt, EVP/GM National Programming Platforms for Clear Channel.

Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to more than 80 percent since it opened 50 years ago. And St. Jude is working to drive the overall survival rate for childhood cancer to 90 percent in the next decade.

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 deadly diseases. St. Jude has the world’s best survival rates for the most aggressive childhood cancers, and treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent since we opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude is working to drive the overall survival rate for childhood cancer to 90 percent in the next decade. St. Jude freely shares the breakthroughs we make, 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 and food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. Join the St. Jude mission by visiting stjude.org.

Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Supports American Heart Month Through Public Service Campaign With American Heart Association

National PSA Campaign Educates the Public on Heart Disease Signs Starting February 14

NEW YORK, NY — February 14, 2013 — Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.  President Obama has nationally proclaimed February American Heart Month, a movement dedicated to educating the public about heart disease, its risks and preventative measures.  Clear Channel Media and Entertainment has committed over $1 million worth of on-air media to help educate the public on the signs and risk factors associated with heart disease and stroke as part of its collaboration with the American Heart Association and in support of American Heart Month.  Earlier this month, Clear Channel also teamed up with the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women® movement to encourage America to go RED for the 11th National Wear Red Day® on February 7, 2014.

Beginning today, February 14 – Valentine's Day – Clear Channel will kick off a two-week public service announcement (PSA) campaign across its 840 radio stations to educate listeners on the symptoms of heart disease and stroke in honor of American Heart Month.  Certain Clear Channel stations will air a comedic yet informative public service announcement voiced by Emmy-nominated actress Elizabeth Banks that highlights the signs of heart attack in women, while all other Clear Channel radio stations will air a second PSA, created by the Ad Council and the American Heart Association, to help people recognize and respond to the sudden warning signs of a stroke.

“Clear Channel’s commitment to supporting and airing messaging about heart disease and stroke has been outstanding,” said Peggy Conlon, president and CEO of Ad Council.  “Together with Clear Channel’s support and our longstanding partners at the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association, we know we can raise awareness and truly move the needle on these critical social issues and improve the health of women nationwide.”

“Over the past 50 years, American Heart Month has become an annual tradition that unites men and women from all parts of the country and focuses attention on one the most serious health concerns facing Americans,” said Jessica King, Clear Channel's Director of Community Engagement.  “At Clear Channel, we believe it is critical to remind our listeners that it is incredibly important for everyone to know the warning signs of a stroke or a heart attack — and, as importantly, to understand tactics that can help prevent them." 

“We’re grateful for Clear Channel’s support of the American Heart Association and its commitment to helping us raise awareness about heart disease and stroke,” said Bernie Dennis, Chairman of the Board of the American Heart Association.  “This is an exciting opportunity for us to educate Clear Channel listeners nationwide with our PSAs and make a health impact to save more lives.”

Additionally, on February 6, 2014, Danielle Monaro, popular co-host of Z100’S syndicated Elvis Duran and the Morning Show, was on-site at the Go Red For Women® / The Heart Truth ® Red Dress Collection in New York City during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week to celebrate Go Red For Women’s 10th anniversary alongside show models Lindsey Vonn, AnnaSophia Robb, Colbie Caillat, Giada De Laurentiis, Gina Torres, Bella Thorne, Joan Jett, Leona Lewis, NeNe Leakes, Rutina Wesley, Sasha Cohen and Vanna White, among others.  Danielle was the official show correspondent and provided Elvis Duran and the Morning Show listeners with behind-the-scenes access and videos.

“I felt honored to be part of such an iconic campaign, one that has brought together women from all over the world for so many years with the sole purpose of improving women’s heart health,” said Monaro.  “My involvement in the Red Dress Collection Show helped the American Heart Association extend the fashion show’s reach beyond NYC and into the homes of Clear Channel listeners across the U.S.”

For more information about the American Heart Association visit www.heart.org. For more information about stroke, visit the American Stroke Association at: http://www.strokeassociation.org. For more information about the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement, visit: www.GoRedForWomen.org.