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Media Planning

Welcome to our resource for Ad Council’s trusted media partners to explore and access our latest and upcoming PSAs. Below you’ll find the newest campaigns and creative launches to reach segmented audiences, along with a guide for key moments to run these important messages throughout July, August, and September. With the support of partners like you, these PSAs reach millions of Americans and help them live safer, healthier and happier lives.

See other seasonal campaigns in Q3

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New Creative in Q3

Skills-First Hiring

The Tear the Paper Ceiling campaign raises awareness of STARs—workers Skilled Through Alternative Routes—and the barriers that hold them back. STARs face a "paper ceiling" – the invisible barrier that comes at every turn for workers without a bachelor's degree. New PSAs highlight the benefits of skills-first hiring and call attention to the millions of workers with in-demand skills who are being overlooked, undervalued, and filtered out before even being considered.

Who to Target:
Adults: ages 25-64
Employers: Hiring influencers and decision-makers at businesses in the U.S.
STARs: 70+ million workers Skilled Through Alternative Routes rather than a bachelor's degree
Available: September
English TV, Online Video, OOH, Digital, Print, Radio

Extreme Risk Laws Education - Illinois

In any crisis, time is precious. Those in crisis need time to think, seek support, and heal. In Illinois, Firearm Restraining Orders (FROs) can provide a pause by temporarily preventing someone in crisis from purchasing or possessing firearms.

The Ad Council has partnered with Illinois Department of Public Health and Brady to develop 3 new PSAs, based on actual events, that raise awareness of FROs as a crisis intervention tool available to the residents of Illinois.

Who to Target: Adults 18+ in Illinois
Available: Early August
English TV, OLV, Radio, OOH, DOOH, Digital, Print

Veterans Crisis Prevention

Veterans are at higher risk for suicide compared to the general population. 6,407 Veterans lost their lives to suicide in 2022, according to the latest data from the 2024 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report. There are many challenges Veterans may face that, if left unaddressed, can become risk factors for more serious struggles. The campaign takes an upstream approach to suicide prevention, encouraging Veterans to access support for any life challenge they may be struggling with, before anything reaches a crisis point.

Who to Target: All Veterans
Available: OOH, Print, TV/OLV, Radio
English Mid-September

Buzzed Driving Prevention

In 2023, there were over 12K fatalities due to alcohol impaired driving – representing 30% of all traffic fatalities in the US that year. New Buzzed Driving Prevention PSAs remind young male drivers that decisions they make behind the wheel can impact both themselves and their loved ones, and that buzzed driving is drunk driving.

Who to Target: Young men, 21-34
Available: July
English TV, Online Video, Banner, OOH, Print
Q3 Seasonal Calendar

July

Summer Season

With summer temperatures rising across the country, urge parents to prevent child hot car deaths. Hot car deaths are the leading cause of non-crash, vehicle-related fatalities for kids 14 and younger, and they are more likely to occur during the summer months. Parked cars get hot, fast – and can be deadly. Encourage families with young children to always “Stop. Look. Lock.” before walking away from their vehicle.

Wildfire Season

As summer activities take us outdoors, it’s important to do your part to help prevent wildfires. With nearly nine out of ten wildfires caused by humans, Smokey Bear reminds us, “Only you can prevent wildfires.” We all have a role to play. Learn wildfire prevention tips at SmokeyBear.com.

August

Back-to-School Season

Run PSAs during the back-to-school season to remind people of the impact that going back to school and getting their High School Equivalency can have on their loved ones and community.
This back to school season run PSAs that educate young people on the dangers of fentanyl and the importance of carrying and knowing how to use opioid overdose reversal medications like naloxone to save a life.
With back-to-school season approaching, these PSAs highlight that parents are the best people to talk to their kids about the dangers of using e-cigarettes, and encourages parents to visit TalkAboutVaping.org for resources.

Summer Season

With summer temperatures rising across the country, urge parents to prevent child hot car deaths. Hot car deaths are the leading cause of non-crash, vehicle-related fatalities for kids 14 and younger, and they are more likely to occur during the summer months. Parked cars get hot, fast – and can be deadly. Encourage families with young children to always “Stop. Look. Lock.” before walking away from their vehicle.

Wildfire Season

As summer activities take us outdoors, it’s important to do your part to help prevent wildfires. With nearly nine out of ten wildfires caused by humans, Smokey Bear reminds us, “Only you can prevent wildfires.” We all have a role to play. Learn wildfire prevention tips at SmokeyBear.com.

September

Back-to-School Season

Run PSAs during the back-to-school season to remind people of the impact that going back to school and getting their High School Equivalency can have on their loved ones and community.
This back to school season run PSAs that educate young people on the dangers of fentanyl and the importance of carrying and knowing how to use opioid overdose reversal medications like naloxone to save a life.
With back-to-school season approaching, these PSAs highlight that parents are the best people to talk to their kids about the dangers of using e-cigarettes, and encourages parents to visit TalkAboutVaping.org for resources.

Suicide Prevention Month

During Suicide Prevention Month, raise awareness of Firearm Restraining Orders (FROs) as a crisis intervention tool available to the residents of Illinois.
During Suicide Prevention Month, we can all do our part to encourage Veterans to reach out for help before their challenges become overwhelming or reach a crisis point.
The majority of gun deaths in the U.S. are suicides, and having access to guns increases the risk of death by suicide by 3 times. Safe gun storage is an effective way to put time and space between a person in crisis and access to guns. Encourage gun owners to store all their guns securely to help prevent gun suicide.

Summer Season

With summer temperatures rising across the country, urge parents to prevent child hot car deaths. Hot car deaths are the leading cause of non-crash, vehicle-related fatalities for kids 14 and younger, and they are more likely to occur during the summer months. Parked cars get hot, fast – and can be deadly. Encourage families with young children to always “Stop. Look. Lock.” before walking away from their vehicle.

Wildfire Season

As summer activities take us outdoors, it’s important to do your part to help prevent wildfires. With nearly nine out of ten wildfires caused by humans, Smokey Bear reminds us, “Only you can prevent wildfires.” We all have a role to play. Learn wildfire prevention tips at SmokeyBear.com.

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