New America Media Sponsors Campaign, Asks Television and Radio Stations to Air PSAs
SAN FRANCISCO - New America Media (NAM) today launched a Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign featuring actor Chris Tucker, actress Suzzanne Douglas, actor Hill Harper, actress/producer Vivica A. Fox, TV personality Rocsi and many other stars urging registered voters, particularly people of color, to bring the necessary identification to the voting booth on Election Day.
With many states toughening their identification requirements for voters to cast ballots, NAM's PSA campaign is a major voter education project that aims to increase participation in this historic election.
Television stations are being asked to air the star-studded, 30-second PSA. NAM, a collaboration of ethnic news outlets, also has available 30-second radio PSAs by Ms. Fox and Mr. Tucker, B-roll for stations seeking footage of the making of the PSAs, versions of the TV and radio PSAs that can be aired from websites, and print ads for newspapers and magazines. All of these materials can be downloaded from the NAM website at newamericamedia.org (Click on the word VOTE). Or stations can click on this link -- http://vote.newamericamedia.org for easy downloads. The TV and radio PSAs are broadcast quality.
"This is a very historical election. It will shape the future of our nation, and it's crucial that people understand what they need to do so their votes will be counted," said Ms. Fox, actress and host of the VH1 new reality television show Glam God w/ Vivica A. Fox. "We want everyone to be able to exercise their constitutional right to vote and not be turned away at the polls, so we ask that voters please bring the proper identification and refrain from wearing political paraphernalia to the polls on November 4th."
By "what they need to wear," Ms. Fox meant not coming to polling stations wearing caps, T-shirts, buttons or other campaign paraphernalia that endorse a candidate. Poll workers will turn away voters dressed that way.
In the television PSA, the collection of stars artfully cautions voters "Don't forget your identification," reminds them "No political items on you," and predicts voters can "shape the future," as a jazzy tune plays in the background. Voters are also urged to visit the NAM website or call 866-OURVOTE for more information. A companion website at www.GoVote.org offers detailed information for voters.
NAM is putting an emphasis on voter education in nine states whose rules may confuse voters: Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Media outlets, especially in those states, are being asked to help increase civic participation by airing the ads.
"We are hoping that media outlets will help bring these important messages to their audiences," said Sandy Close, NAM's executive editor and director. "Our democracy is based on citizen participation. We want everyone to do their part in educating the electorate so their votes will count."
The broadcast PSAs project was directed by Michael K. Frisby, president of the Washington, D.C.-based public relations firm, Frisby & Associates, Inc., and produced by award-winning producer, Renee Warren, co-president of Noelle-Elaine Media, Inc. of New York City.
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Radio and television stations wishing to air the PSAs please use either http://vote.newamericamedia.org or ftp.noelle-elaine.com User: getouttovote; Password: Vote2008. We also have hard copies available for outlets that cannot download the PSAs. Media seeking interviews please contact Alicia Ingram, 404-493-1724, to schedule them.
Contacts:
Michael K. Frisby: mike@frisbyassociates.com
202-625-4328
Laura Goode: lgoode@newamericamedia.org
415-503-4170
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