Ad Council Launches Robust Digital Platform to Offer Downloadable Public Service Ads Across All Media Types

NEW YORK, May 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ad Council launched today a new version of their digital distribution platform, PSA Central, making it the first single source destination for all Ad Council PSAs. The platform provides easy access to broadcast-quality television spots in multiple HD and SD formats, as well as ads created for radio, print, online, mobile and outdoor media.

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In addition to providing "one-stop-shop" access to campaign creative, the new site allows users to email PSAs directly from the site, and save them to internal and external servers. The platform also offers robust search capabilities, enabling direct access to PSAs by media type, file format, issue area, target audience and other preferences. The site includes a free and secure cart feature for placing orders and it will remember your user profile, including previous activity, for the next time you log on. The platform is built on the latest software development and cloud technologies, and leverages a content delivery network to expedite the delivery of PSAs.

"Our goal is for PSA Central to become the digital delivery system of choice for PSAs and, in doing so, benefit many of the most critical social issues facing our country," said Peggy Conlon, president and CEO of the Ad Council. "For the first time, one site provides access to our ads across all media types and new functionality will help our media partners more easily identify and support the messages that are most relevant to their audiences."

The Ad Council's 50 national public service campaigns are created pro bono by leading advertising agencies and the PSAs are run and aired in time and space entirely donated by the media. The Ad Council distributes its PSAs to more than 33,000 media outlets nationwide. In 2012, the media community provided more than $1.5 billion in donated time and space for Ad Council campaigns addressing issues in the areas of health, safety, education and community.

"Comcast Spotlight has a long history of supporting important Ad Council campaigns, and this technology allows for easy search, view, and access to HD files to choose the most relevant campaigns and easily push them to our markets to run," said Charlie Thurston, president of Comcast Spotlight.

Prior to today's launch, the media outlets that support Ad Council campaigns used multiple distribution platforms to obtain PSAs, including a previous version of PSA Central. Media outlets also receive Ad Council PSAs in the form of hard kits that contain tapes but they can opt to receive materials digitally only.

"Clear Channel is a long-time contributor of radio, digital and out-of-home media time to the Ad Council, allowing us the opportunity to address critical issues in the communities across America in which we live and work," said Jessica King, director of community engagement for Clear Channel.  "The all-new PSA Central platform will make it easier for Clear Channel's local markets to identify, access, and support the most relevant issues facing their communities."

The new site was previewed in early April at the National Association of Broadcasters Show in Las Vegas, where attendees were able to view a demo during the exhibition. A promotional video will be shared with media outlets nationwide today to introduce the new site features and invite users to sign in.

About the Ad Council
Since 1942, the Ad Council has been creating memorable communications programs surrounding significant public issues, aimed at improving the lives of the American people. Ad Council icons and slogans are woven into the very fabric of American culture. With campaigns ranging from "Loose Lips Sink Ships" to Smokey Bear's "Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires," "Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Drunk" and "A Mind is a Terrible Thing To Waste," Ad Council PSAs have been raising awareness, inspiring action and saving lives for seventy one years.

SOURCE The Ad Council