Video: Ad Council and National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse Join ESPN to Encourage Fathers to 'Take Time to be a Dad Today'

Video: Ad Council and National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse Join ESPN to Encourage Fathers to 'Take Time to be a Dad Today'

New PSAs Feature Sports Anchors from 'NFL Live' and 'SportsCenter'

NEW YORK, June 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The Advertising Council and the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse join ESPN today to launch a new series of national public service advertisements designed to show dads the critical role they play in their children's lives. The ads will debut this week on ESPN media in advance of Father's Day.

To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/adcouncil/38625/

According to the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse (NRFC), an estimated 25 million children live without their biological fathers and are on average at least two to three times more likely to be poor, to use drugs, to experience educational, health and emotional and behavioral problems, to be victims of child abuse and to engage in criminal behavior than their peers who live with their married, biological (or adoptive) parents. Children with involved, loving fathers are significantly more likely to do well in school, have healthy self-esteem, exhibit empathy and pro-social behavior and avoid high-risk behaviors.

"Given the importance of sports in the lives of so many dads and children, we are excited that ESPN is taking part in our campaign to inspire men to be the best dads they can be," said Roland C. Warren, Media Campaign Director for the NRFC. "ESPN is a credible messenger to dads and will help us encourage a new commitment to involved fatherhood this Father's Day."

The new television, radio, and Web public service advertisements, available in English and Spanish, emphasize to fathers that "the best highlights happen at home." The TV and radio ads begin airing and running this week through June 28 in donated media on ESPN properties including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, ESPN Classic, ESPN Deportes, ESPNU, ESPN Radio and ESPN.com. The online executions will be live on ESPN.com from June 1 to July 11, 2009.

"We are delighted to join ESPN and the NRFC for this new series of public service ads to encourage men to take an active role in their children's lives," said Peggy Conlon, President & CEO of the Ad Council. "The sports talent featured in the ads are well-known and appealing to our target audience, and I believe they will help strike a chord with fathers to become more involved with their children."

Created pro bono for the Ad Council by ESPN and Wieden & Kennedy, the TV and radio ads feature ESPN anchors Trey Wingo (NFL Live) and Robert Flores (SportsCenter) as well as David Faitelson and Fernando Palomo of ESPN Deportes for the Spanish spots. The PSAs encourage fathers to visit www.fatherhood.gov for parenting tips and additional resources for fathers. To view the ads, visit www.adcouncil.org.

"ESPN's ability to reach millions of fathers allows for swift and high-impact advertising communications for this important cause," said Seth Ader, ESPN senior director sports marketing. "Our collaboration with the Ad Council has yielded a uniquely ESPN-branded PSA that we hope inspires dads to engage with their children in creating every day highlights."

National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse

The National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse (NRFC) supports the Administration for Children and Families' Office of Family Assistance's (OFA) efforts to assist States and communities to promote and support Responsible Fatherhood. Primarily a tool for professionals operating Responsible Fatherhood programs, the NRFC provides access to print and electronic publications, timely information on fatherhood issues, and targeted resources that support OFA-funded Responsible Fatherhood grantees. The NRFC Web site also provides essential information for other audiences interested in fatherhood issues. www.fatherhood.gov

ESPN, Inc.

ESPN, Inc. is the world's leading multinational, multimedia sports entertainment company featuring a portfolio of over 50 multimedia sports assets. The company is comprised of six domestic television networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, ESPNU), ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS and ESPNU HD simulcast services, ESPN Regional Television, ESPN International (45 networks, syndication, radio, web sites), ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN The Magazine, ESPN Enterprises, ESPN PPV, ESPN Zones (sports-themed restaurants), and other growing new businesses including ESPN360.com (Broadband), ESPN Mobile Properties, ESPN on Demand and ESPN Interactive. Based in Bristol, Ct., ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc., which is an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. The Hearst Corporation holds a 20 percent interest in ESPN.

The Advertising Council

The Ad Council (www.adcouncil.org) is a private, non-profit organization that marshals talent from the advertising and communications industries, the facilities of the media, and the resources of the business and non-profit communities to produce, distribute and promote public service campaigns on behalf of non-profit organizations and government agencies in issue areas such as improving the quality of life for children, preventive health, education, community well-being, environmental preservation and strengthening families.

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Video: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/adcouncil/38625

Source: The Ad Council

CONTACT: ESPN Contact, Beth Shanley of The Ad Council, +1-212-984-1923,
bshanley@adcouncil.org; or Vincent DiCaro, National Responsible Fatherhood
Clearinghouse, +1-240-912-1270, vdicaro@fatherhood.org

Web Site: http://www.adcouncil.org/

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Profile: International Entertainment