Ad Council Joins United Way of Central Oklahoma to Launch New PSAs to Encourage Support for Tornado Relief Efforts

NEW YORK, May 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to the devastation wrought by the tornadoes on Monday, the Ad Council and the United Way of Central Oklahoma launched today a series of television and Web public service advertisements (PSAs) encouraging Americans to make financial contributions to disaster relief efforts. The PSAs direct audiences to visit unitedwayokc.org, where they can contribute to support the short and long-term recovery operations, providing supplies and services to those affected by the tornadoes.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/61862-ad-council-launches-new-psa-s-to-benefit-oklahoma-tornado-relief-efforts

"We deeply appreciate the overwhelming response of volunteers and support from across the nation for the communities affected by the devastating tornadoes," said United Way of Central Oklahoma's president and CEO Debby Hampton. "We have activated the United Way of Central Oklahoma May Tornadoes Relief Fund to help those communities now and for years to come. We are asking people to visit our website and give."

United Way of Central Oklahoma's 61 Partner Agencies are actively engaged in meeting the needs of those affected by the tornadoes, first-responders and volunteers as part of the relief and recovery efforts.  A collaboration of United Way agencies are responding to the immediate needs at the disaster areas.

The Ad Council was able to act quickly after the tornadoes to develop the PSAs this week because of their partnership with the Disaster Relief Coalition which was announced to coincide with Hurricane Sandy last fall. The coalition of humanitarian and aid organizations came together with the goal of developing consistent messages that can be used in times of crisis to motivate people to donate money in support of domestic and international relief efforts. Coalition members include U.S. Agency for International Development and USAID's Center for International Disaster Information, The UPS Foundation, the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster and InterAction.  The new television PSA was developed by Free Range Studios.

"We know from our experience in addressing crises such as Hurricane Sandy, Hurricane Katrina and the earthquake in Haiti that Americans respond quickly and generously following disasters to offer a helping hand," said Peggy Conlon, president and CEO of the Ad Council. "As an extension of our longstanding partnership with the United Way, we're proud to join the United Way of Central Oklahoma to educate Americans about the benefits of monetary donations to support those affected by the crisis in Oklahoma and encourage them to make a contribution."

The PSAs are being distributed to media outlets nationwide today. DG and Extreme Reach have donated the digital distribution for television PSAs, and Laser Video Lafayette Hill, PA has donated their editing and encoding services. The following media companies have made early commitments to support the PSAs:  A+E Networks, CBS Television Network, Discovery Communications, Fox Broadcasting and Fox's cable networks, Parade Media Group, Turner Broadcasting networks and Viacom, Inc.

The Ad Council
The Ad Council (www.adcouncil.org) is a private, non-profit organization with a rich history of marshalling 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 effected, and continues to effect, 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. For more information, please visit www.adcouncil.org. You can also visit www.facebook.com/adcouncil or follow the Ad Council on Twitter @AdCouncil.

United Way of Central Oklahoma
United Way of Central Oklahoma researches human needs within the communities of central Oklahoma and directs resources to accountable health and human services agencies to meet those needs by improving the health, safety, education and economic well being of its most vulnerable citizens. For more information about United Way of Central Oklahoma, please visit www.unitedwayokc.org or call (405) 236-8441.

SOURCE Ad Council