Horizon Media and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Announce New Partnership to Advance Youth Mentorship Through the Power of Media

Over $15 Million in Donated Media Will Amplify the Urgent Call for More Mentors Nationwide

NEW YORK, Oct. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Horizon Media, the world's largest media agency, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA), the nation's preeminent one-to-one youth mentoring organization in the United States, today announced a formalized partnership to harness the power of media to expand awareness of youth mentorship and inspire more Americans to become mentors.

According to a report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only 58.5% of U.S. teens always or usually receive the social and emotional support they need. As traditional sources of support, including extended family and community organizations, become increasingly fragmented, young people are spending an average of seven hours a day on screens, often seeking connection in digital spaces that cannot replace the sustained, caring adult relationships they need.

Through this partnership, Horizon will mobilize its expansive marketplace and partner network to provide $15 million+ in donated media - reaching a target audience of potential mentors where they are - to amplify BBBSA's mission of increasing volunteer signups and donations and connecting more young people with life-changing mentoring relationships.

Horizon will engage media partners across channels to maximize the reach and impact of BBBSA's campaigns, while inviting the broader marketing community to join the effort. More than 100 media partners and brands have already donated media and other support, helping amplify BBBSA's mission across audio, digital, OOH, print, social, and video. By bringing together the scale of Horizon's media ecosystem and the collective power of the industry, the partnership aims to turn media investment into meaningful action for young people and communities nationwide.

"We know that when purpose-driven companies show up for young people, it says something about how that company sees the world and how it does business. That's what makes this partnership with Horizon Media so meaningful," said Artis Stevens, President & CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. "Horizon recognizes that the platforms and audiences they reach every day can not only be turned into a megaphone for our mission but can amplify the message that mentorship changes lives. Through this partnership, we're excited to reach more families, inspire more people to become mentors, and help ensure that more young people have the opportunity to build a meaningful, lasting relationship with a champion in their corner."

The partnership reflects Horizon's commitment to investing in people and creating opportunities for the next generation, rooted in its Brand Ethos, "Business is Personal." It also extends Horizon's longstanding relationship with the National Football League (NFL), and its work to use the power of culture and media to drive societal impact. By joining forces around a shared commitment to youth and community, the partnership creates an opportunity to extend that impact beyond the field and into the lives of young people across the country.

"Media has the power to do more than influence what people buy - it can influence what people believe is possible and inspire people to take action," said Bill Koenigsberg, Founder & CEO, Horizon Media. "Through our partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, we have an opportunity to bring our industry together around something that matters: helping more young people access the relationships and support they need to thrive. We're proud to use the power of our marketplace to help turn awareness into action and make mentorship more accessible to communities across the country."

Horizon's commitment to creating meaningful impact extends across a range of causes and communities. The agency supports organizations including City Harvest, Cure Duchenne, Drug-Free America Foundation, International Animal Rescue, The Michael J. Fox Foundation and Wildlife Conservation Society, among others, reflecting its belief in using the power of its people, partnerships and marketplace to drive positive change.

The pro bono partnership with BBBSA was formalized in July with first work running during Big Brothers Big Sisters Month (September). Donated media efforts will continue through 2027 with key cultural and community moments throughout the year designed to drive awareness, engagement and action.

Horizon and BBBSA are inviting media companies, marketing partners and organizations across the industry to join the effort by contributing media and helping bring the message of mentorship to more Americans. To learn more or get involved, please email us.

For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and how to become a mentor, please visit: https://www.bbbs.org/

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
Founded in 1904, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) is the largest and most experienced youth mentoring organization in the United States. The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. Big Brothers Big Sisters' evidence-based approach is designed to create positive youth outcomes, including educational success, avoidance of risky behaviors, higher aspirations, greater confidence, and improved relationships. Big Brothers Big Sisters serves more than 5,000 communities across all 50 states. For more information, visit: www.bbbs.org.

About Horizon Media
Horizon Media is the largest independent media agency globally, delivering data-driven business outcomes for some of the world's most innovative and ambitious brands. Founded in 1989 and headquartered in New York, with offices in Los Angeles and Toronto, Horizon Media employs more than 2,400 people and manages over $8.5 billion in annual media investments. Guided by its belief that business is personal, Horizon Media is consistently recognized for client excellence, workplace culture, and its commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and employee well-being. Learn more: https://www.horizonmedia.com/

SOURCE Horizon Media