News and Media
UNCF News and Media
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
CONTACTS:
Rey Banks, United Negro College Fund
(703) 205-3480
media@uncf.org
Hollie Geren, Y&R North America
(212) 201-3379
hollie.geren@yr.com
Alberto G. Rojas, The Advertising Council
(212) 984-1918
arojas@adcouncil.org
UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND AND AD COUNCIL LAUNCH NEW PUBLIC SERVICE ADVERTISEMENTS
New York, NY - The Advertising Council and the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) announced today the launch of a new series of public service advertisements (PSAs) designed to continue encouraging financial support of minority education.
The United Negro College Fund has had a profoundly positive impact on the lives of millions of minority students. The organization has helped more than 350,000 minority students graduate from college. However, despite their gains, a persistent gap in education remains between African Americans and other students and between low-income students and their more affluent peers. According to UNCF, the high cost of college and the lack of financial assistance are the major reasons that students don't enter or complete college.
The new PSA campaign, created pro bono by Young & Rubicam, includes television, radio, print, and outdoor advertising. By highlighting the leadership and accomplishments of important African Americans inventions and innovations, the new work asks potential donors to consider the impact of minority education on their own lives and, "Support minority education today, so we don't miss out on the next big idea tomorrow." The television and radio ads are narrated by actor Courtney B. Vance, who himself was featured in a 1989 UNCF PSA.
"These PSAs make the critical connection between education and the African American scientists, doctors, engineers and other professionals whose ideas have made life better for all of us," said UNCF President and CEO Michael L. Lomax, Ph.D. "Our way of life is built on the kinds of ideas that are spotlighted in the PSAs, and we need to make sure that the next generation of innovators and inventers has the education they need to make their contributions to their communities and the country."
Graduates of UNCF institutions have made lasting contributions to our nation by building successful careers in the fields of business, politics, health care and the arts, to name a few. Some prominent UNCF alumni include: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., director Spike Lee, actor Samuel L. Jackson, General Chappie James (the U.S. Air Force's first African American four-star general), Alexis Herman, (Secretary of Labor in the Clinton Administration), Alice Walker, (author) Leontyne Price (opera singer), and Brown University president Dr. Ruth Simmons (first African American president of an Ivy League school).
"Education has always been of great importance to the Ad Council," said Peggy Conlon, President and CEO of the Ad Council. "We are extremely proud of the partnership we have had with UNCF and Y&R on this iconic campaign for the past thirty five years and hope to continue this wonderful effort to ensure many more minority students achieve their goals in the coming years."
The new PSAs will be distributed nationwide this week and can be viewed on the Ad Council's Web site at www.adcouncil.org.
"Working with the UNCF over the years is a source of great pride for Y&R and we believe the cause is as relevant today as it was 35 years ago when we launched 'A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste'," said Gary Goldsmith, Chief Creative Officer of Y&R North America, "we hope our latest work speaks to a new generation and conveys the message that education is crucial to progress."
The award-winning UNCF ad campaigns featuring the iconic tagline, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste," have attracted hundreds of millions of dollars in donated advertising support and have included such notable figures as Michael Jordan and President George H.W. Bush.
About UNCF
As the nation's oldest and most successful minority higher education assistance organization, the United Negro College Fund's mission is to provide financial support to its 39 member institutions and increase minority degree attainment by reducing financial barriers to college. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 25 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF administers more than 300 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship programs, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 65,000 students at over 900 colleges and universities across the country.
About the Ad Council
The Ad Council is a private, 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.
About Y&R
Y&R is one of the world's leading marketing communications agencies. Founded in 1923, the agency today has 165 offices in 124 cities in 81 countries around the world. Our client partners are some of the world’s most prestigious global corporations, including Cadbury Schweppes, Colgate-Palmolive, Danone, Ford Motor Company and Xerox. Hamish McLennan is Chairman and CEO.
