Verizon Adds PSA Channel to V Cast Video, Joining Mobile Web, FiOS Internet and FiOS TV as Platforms for Community-Impacting Messages

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. and NEW YORK, Feb. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon said today it continues to work with The Advertising Council to bring public service advertising campaigns to its customers across all of its platforms: Verizon Wireless' Mobile Web service, Verizon FiOS Internet, Verizon FiOS TV, and now Verizon Wireless' V CAST Video.  

Verizon recently added a Verizon public service announcement (PSA) section to the News Channel of its V CAST Video service, following last year's support of the Ad Council's Teen Dating Violence Prevention campaign across mobile, Web and television platforms.  Since then, Verizon has pledged to work with the Ad Council and other partners to expand the scope and number of PSAs brought to Verizon screens.

"With the addition of the Verizon PSA Channel as part of V CAST Video, we're extending the reach of this important work further into the wireless community," said John Harrobin, vice president of digital media and marketing at Verizon Wireless.  "We look forward to learning from these important PSAs and continuing to leverage Verizon's technology and reach to bring maximum impact."  

"We are excited that Verizon is continuing its commitment to support our campaign to help prevent teen dating abuse," said Peggy Conlon, president and chief executive officer of the Ad Council.  "In many cases, this form of abuse begins on cell phones, with constant texting or calling.  Therefore, this is an ideal place for teens to receive our messages and learn about the importance of drawing their 'digital line' so we can prevent these relationships from turning violent."

The first two campaigns to be shown on V CAST Video focus on domestic violence prevention.  Verizon has a long history of supporting domestic violence prevention and awareness through its signature phone recycling program HopeLine®.  "That's Not Cool" was developed by the Ad Council, in partnership with the Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF) and the Office on Violence Against Women at the United States Department of Justice.  The campaign, created pro bono by advertising agency R/GA, which includes print, television, radio, online and mobile elements, was designed to help teens recognize digital dating abuse and empower them to initiate a conversation about it.  The PSAs also direct audiences to visit www.ThatsNotCool.com, where teens can find tools to "draw their own digital line" and a "Talk it Out" forum to discuss this form of relationship abuse and seek help.

The second PSA, "End the Silence on Domestic Violence," was created by Dr. Phil McGraw as part of his season-long look at the issue.  He worked collaboratively with the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) to produce the PSA, which includes a mention of Verizon's HopeLine phone recycling and reuse program.  

V CAST Video on Demand is available for a $10 monthly subscription.  There are no megabyte charges to download, stream or watch V CAST content with any V CAST subscription; however, customers must subscribe to a data package for a data usage allowance. For more information about V CAST Video, including how to subscribe, visit www.verizonwireless.com/vcast.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's fastest and most advanced 4G network and largest and most reliable 3G network, and serves more than 94 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 82,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD).  For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About Verizon

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving 94.1 million customers nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 194,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of $106.6 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.  

About The Advertising Council

The Ad Council is a 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.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless