MADD Announces First Annual PowerTalk 21 Day and Brand Refresh

--MADD's First Annual Day for Parents to Talk with Teens About Alcohol is April 21, 2011--

--New Logo Reflects More Modern, Approachable MADD--

DALLAS, April 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As part of Alcohol Awareness Month, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) unveils a new logo today in advance of next week's first annual PowerTalk 21™ day on April 21, the national day for parents to start talking with their kids about alcohol. In an effort to get the conversation started between parents and teens across the U.S., MADD — along with National Presenting Sponsor Nationwide Insurance — is urging families to get a free Power of Parents, It's Your Influence™ handbook at www.madd.org/powertalk21.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110412/MADDLOGO)

"After more than 30 years of saving lives and serving people, we're excited to reveal a refreshed version of our logo and reintroduce our brand, especially leading up to PowerTalk 21 day — a day that truly signifies our real-world approach to keeping today's youth alcohol free, so they grow up healthy and don't become tomorrow's drunk drivers," said MADD CEO Kimberly Earle.

Teen alcohol use kills 6,000 young people each year, more than all other illegal drugs combined.  So, in an effort to curb underage drinking among America's youth, MADD created the Power of Parents program to help parents have the sometimes difficult, but potentially life-saving, conversation about alcohol with their kids. Developed with Pennsylvania State University's Dr. Robert Turrisi, MADD's Power of Parents handbook is based on more than two decades of underage drinking research, and has been shown to significantly reduce underage drinking behaviors, even in households with below average communication.

"Research has shown that parents are the number one influence in their child's decisions about drinking, so MADD is eager to get the conversation about alcohol started in households across the country — particularly in advance of prom and graduation season," said MADD National President Laura Dean-Mooney.

"Nationwide is proud to partner with MADD to give parents the research-proven tools to help them talk to their teens about alcohol," added Bill Windsor, Nationwide Insurance Associate Vice President of Consumer Safety. "It's a great opportunity to remind ourselves that we have the power to reduce the risks associated with underage drinking."

The community-based component of the Power of Parents program includes free 30-minute parent workshops happening nationwide in advance of April 21. In addition, events are being held on April 20 and 21 in Dallas, New York City, San Diego and all across the country, bringing together partners in law enforcement, government, education, faith-based communities and others who support underage drinking prevention.

A Congressional Resolution, being introduced by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and David Vitter (R-LA), will formally proclaim April 21, 2011 as PowerTalk 21 day and will urge families to start talking about alcohol in order to reduce the risks and dangers posed to teens and communities across the country.

In addition, the April issue of Archie Comics (Double Digest #217) includes a PowerTalk 21 prom-focused storyline featuring the likeness of Dallas Cowboys Tight End Jason Witten, and the national promotions for PowerTalk 21 feature the iconic Archie Comics characters.

MADD's refreshed logo and brand provides an opportunity to reintroduce the organization in communities across the country. The new logo signifies a more modern, approachable MADD, while still emphasizing the core values on which the organization was founded more than 30 years ago — especially the power of Mothers, which includes both men and women who want to make a difference.

Nationwide Insurance is the national presenting sponsor for Power of Parents and PowerTalk 21, and a national supporting partner is the GM Foundation. National program partners include the National Football League (NFL), the National Parent Teachers Association (PTA), American Association of School Administrators (AASA) and NASSP (the National Association of Secondary School Principals). In addition, the Power of Parents program is endorsed by The American College of Emergency Physicians.

For conversation starters, tips and to get the Power of Parents handbook, visit www.madd.org/powertalk21. Those who request a copy of the handbook by April 30 will be registered to win an iPad.

About Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Founded by a mother who lost her daughter in a crash, Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is the nation's largest nonprofit working to protect families from drunk driving and underage drinking. With the help of those who want a safer future, MADD's Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving® will end this danger on America's roads. PowerTalk 21™ is the national day for parents to talk with their kids about alcohol, using the proven strategies of Power of Parents, It's Your Influence® to reduce the risk of underage drinking. And as one of the largest victim services organizations in the U.S., MADD also supports drunk driving victims and survivors at no charge, serving one person every 10 minutes at 1-877-MADD-HELP.  Learn more at www.madd.org or call 1-877-ASK-MADD.

About Nationwide

Nationwide, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the U.S. and is rated A+ by A.M. Best. The company provides a full range of personalized insurance and financial services, including auto insurance, motorcycle, boat, homeowners, life insurance, farm, commercial insurance, administrative services, annuities, mortgages, mutual funds, pensions, long-term savings plans and health and productivity services. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com.

Nationwide, the Nationwide frame mark, and On Your Side are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.

About the GM Foundation

Since its inception in 1976, the GM Foundation has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to deserving American charities, educational organizations and to disaster relief efforts worldwide. The GM Foundation focuses on supporting Education, Health and Human Services, Environment and Energy and Community Development initiatives, mainly in the communities where GM operates. Funding of the GM Foundation comes solely from GM. The last contribution to the GM Foundation was made in 2001. For more information, visit http://www.gm.com/corporate/responsibility/community.

SOURCE Mothers Against Drunk Driving