What is FOX23 WXXA’s corporate strategy as it pertains to public service advertising?
Broadcasters enjoy a unique and powerful responsibility to serve our communities of license. We at FOX23
respect that trust and continually seek out new ways to extend our public service advertising. As part of our
strong commitment to community, we partner with a large number of local organizations and agencies in
the creation and dissemination of a wide variety of public service messaging, fundraising efforts and public
service initiatives. Our public service messages are available on multiple platforms, including FOX23 WXXA
as well as on our digital subchannel, VTV: The Variety Channel and FOX23News.com, our web channel.
How does the Ad Council help augment FOX23 WXXA’s community efforts?
FOX23 appreciates having immediate access to the memorable, critically acclaimed and life-enhancing
messages available through the Ad Council.
In 2006, FOX23 was honored to receive the Ad Council’s New York State Bell Award which is “presented
annually to those media outlets that exemplify extraordinary generosity and leadership in disseminating the
organization’s public service messages.” The Ad Council consistently culls the most immediate and urgent
issues, provides the highest quality creative and responds promptly to emerging issues with exceptional
messaging.
What issues do you think deserve national focus?
There are countless urgent issues that compete for the attention of those committed to public service.
Among my many concerns, the two most compelling issues for me are childhood obesity and the
unprecedented repercussions associated with the aging of the Baby Boomers.
Is FOX23 involved in any unique public service projects?
FOX23 recently initiated a domestic violence prevention campaign, “Honoring Life, Giving Hope”
(available for viewing on FOX23News.com). This campaign stemmed from a poignant local tragedy
that shocked our community. Additionally, we air two telethons annually that raise a total of more than
$4 million for local services for two of our key community partners: The Center for Disability Services and
Albany Medical Center. We also sponsor the local Tour de Cure for the American Diabetes Association,
presently the third-largest Tour in the country.
As 2007 comes to an end, I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for your
continued belief in the power of public service advertising to effect positive social change. It
is because of your generous support that we are able to raise awareness, inspire action and
even save lives.
For more than 65 years, the Ad Council has been keeping a finger on the pulse of the nation’s
social condition and as a result our docket reflects the current social climate—not just on
a national level, but on the community level where change truly begins. Within the last year,
we launched new campaigns that address foreclosure prevention, youth reckless driving,
college access, diabetes management and even cyberbullying, to name a few. And we are continuing our efforts to
inform parents about recognizing the early signs of autism, keeping teens safe online, inspiring a new generation of
blood donors, destigmatizing mental illness, and the list goes on. As long as these social issues exist and new issues
are identified, we need to continue to work together to deliver our critical messages to society. Ad Council campaigns
generate measurable change.
As a result of your support:
- More than 10,500 families have begun the adoption process.
- Applications to be a mentor increased by an amazing 75%.
- In the first seven months of our Wireless Amber Alerts campaign, more than 94,000 people
subscribed to the Wireless amber Alert system.
These statistics are proof positive that your continued support of our PSA s is generating positive social change. On behalf
of the Ad Council, our nonprofit and government campaign sponsors and the countless individuals whose lives are made
better because of your support of our PSAs, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Sincerely,
Peggy Conlon
President & CEO
The Advertising Council
