Nonprofit Partnership to End Addiction launches with national campaign featuring music by The Lumineers and podcast hosted by Elizabeth Vargas

NEW YORK, Oct. 20, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Partnership to End Addiction announced its launch today with a campaign emphasizing the importance of personal connection in addressing our nation's addiction crisis. A 3D-animated series of advertisements features music by Grammy-nominated band The Lumineers. The nonprofit also released a podcast hosted by Emmy Award-winning journalist and bestselling author Elizabeth Vargas.

"Following the merger of two leading addiction nonprofits, we are now a combined organization helping family members embrace the critical role they play in ending addiction," said Creighton Drury, Chief Executive Officer at Partnership to End Addiction. "When we foster strong connections with loved ones, we see better outcomes in prevention and treatment – and in strengthening families and communities as agents of change in transforming the way our nation addresses addiction."

'Start with Connection' Campaign

Building on a history of iconic public service announcements, the Partnership is seeking to reach parents and caregivers through television, print, radio and digital media. The "Start with Connection" campaign will encourage empathy and understanding, while offering hope and resources to begin conversations. The song "Salt and the Sea" by The Lumineers is from III, a narrative album that explores the destructive impact of addiction in a family. Advertisements will be available in 60-, 30- and 15-second broadcast units and a short-film version for select online distribution.

Watch the short-film version here.

"The loneliness and isolation of the pandemic are exacerbating the addiction crisis at an alarming rate," said Emily Moyer, Chief Marketing Officer at Partnership to End Addiction. "While everyone is talking about physical distancing and wearing masks, we are encouraging family members to begin closing emotional distance in the home."

'Heart of the Matter with Elizabeth Vargas' Podcast

The new podcast features personal conversations about substance use and recovery. Notable early guests include former NBA player Chris Herren, journalist and bestselling author David Sheff, and former U.S. Representative Patrick J. Kennedy. "Heart of the Matter with Elizabeth Vargas" is available on iTunes, Spotify and other major platforms.

"So many of us struggling with addiction are suffering quietly, certain we are alone. We talk about it with hushed tones, fearful of what others may think," said Vargas. "There is tremendous value in connecting with others and sharing our own stories. I hope our podcast inspires others to open up and seek that support from their friends and family."

About Partnership to End Addiction
Partnership to End Addiction is a national nonprofit uniquely positioned to reach, engage and help families impacted by addiction. With decades of experience in research, direct service, communications and partnership-building, we provide families with personalized support and resources — while mobilizing policymakers, researchers and health care professionals to better address addiction systemically on a national scale. For more information, visit drugfree.org.

About The Lumineers
Two-time GRAMMY-nominated band The Lumineers has enjoyed substantial commercial success from the outset. Their 2012 self-titled debut album, which featured the hit single "Ho Hey," is certified triple-platinum. The band's second album, Cleopatra, was #1 on the Billboard Top 200 and is certified platinum. They've had 18 #1 hits on AAA, Alternative and other radio charts, including "Ophelia," which was #1 for an astounding 13 weeks on Triple A radio chart. The Lumineers' latest release, III, is a cinematic piece presented as a narrative in three chapters, with each one centering on one main character, released through Dualtone/Decca Records on September 13, 2019. "Gloria," the album's first single, has proven to be a landmark release for the band, earning critical acclaim while topping the charts at multi-format radio outlets nationwide, including Americana, Adult Alternative and Alternative, spending six consecutive weeks at #1 on the latter chart.

About Elizabeth Vargas
Elizabeth Vargas joined Partnership to End Addiction's board of directors in 2015. She is an Emmy award-winning journalist and host of A&E Investigates. Elizabeth authored the New York Times bestseller "Between Breaths, a Memoir of Panic and Addiction." She broke barriers when she revealed that she had alcohol use disorder during a televised interview in 2014. Elizabeth's parents, brother and sister were supportive of her during her journey to recovery. Today, she continues to share her story to help inspire others.

About DiMassimo Goldstein
DiMassimo Goldstein (DiGo) is a Behavior Change Marketing agency. Trusted by sophisticated marketers and committed change agents to understand complex situations quickly and to bring forward highly-effective creative solutions, DiGo helps life-changing brands grow by helping people make more inspiring decisions and form more empowering habits. DiGo is applied behavioral scientists, brand planners, designers, writers, marketers, data storytellers, technologists, social and digital media experts, project managers, producers, artists and brand leaders – all of them change agents. The brand, advertising and design agency's clients, from start-ups to blue chips, have built legendary brands that inspire action.

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Bonfire is a NYC based Visual Effects and Animation studio that creates a variety of content across all mediums. Bonfire combines extraordinary client services with our state of the art facility and all the comforts of home. With our advanced proprietary methodologies, Bonfire is able to deliver first class creative and execution with more efficiency and within a shorter timeframe.

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Horizon Media is a leader in delivering data-driven business outcomes for some of the most innovative and ambitious brands. The company was founded in 1989, is headquartered in New York, and has offices in Los Angeles and Toronto. With estimated billings of approximately $9 billion and over 2,400 employees, Horizon is the second largest U.S. media agency according to the AdAge Datacenter. Renowned for its culture, Horizon was named by Fortune as a best place to work for Diversity, Women and Millennials.

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DeVries Global, headquartered in New York City, is an integrated communications firm with offices in Beijing, Berlin, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, London, Shanghai, Singapore and Taipei. The agency's longstanding heritage of excellence in consumer marketing and communications is rooted in its mission to decode culture, which has driven award-winning work with respected brands across beauty, fashion, wellness, consumer packaged goods (CPG), travel and tourism, wine and spirits, food and beverage and consumer technology. DeVries Global offers seamless global capabilities while maintaining a client-centric boutique sensibility. DeVries Global is part of Interpublic Group (IPG).

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dna Communications is a healthcare communications agency with unique thinking, insight and attitude. Through its patient-centric and science-first approach, dna helps its client partners negotiate the healthcare sector's ever-changing commercial, regulatory, scientific and communications landscape. dna is part of the Interpublic Group.

SOURCE Partnership to End Addiction