USCCB - (Office of Media Relations) - Ad Council Endorses CCHD's �Poverty USA' Campaign National PSA Campaign is One of a Select Few Approved for 2001

Ad Council Endorses CCHD's 'Poverty USA' Campaign National PSA Campaign is One of a Select Few Approved for 2001

WASHINGTON (August 3, 2001) -- The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) announced today (August 3) that its "Poverty, USA" public service advertising campaign has been officially endorsed by the Ad Council.

The Ad Council's endorsement is awarded only to select campaigns that meet its high standards for public service communications. Since creating the category of public service announcements (PSAs) in 1942, the Ad Council has played a critical role in society by identifying a limited number of significant public issues and stimulating action for those issues by promoting effective communications programs.

The national campaign, created for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development by Crosby Marketing Communications in Annapolis, Maryland, includes television, radio and print public service advertisements. Launched this past January to help call attention to the more than 32 million people in America still living in poverty, the campaign has already secured $5 million in donated media time and space.

"Receiving the Ad Council endorsement helps position our message with some of the nation's most important social issues," said Barbara Stephenson, Director of Communications for CCHD. "Most importantly, this recognition will result in even greater public awareness about
the existence of poverty right here in our nation--in numbers larger than we realize."

The endorsement was announced in the July/August issue of the Ad Council's newsletter sent to public service directors across the U.S. It is expected to generate additional interest in running the campaign, Ms. Stephenson said.

In addition to the Ad Council endorsement, the "Poverty, USA"campaign recently received an Axiem Award for Absolute Excellence in Electronic Media. More than 1,500 entries from all 50 states and several countries were received in the international awards program recognizing excellence in television, film, audio, video, radio, animation, the World Wide Web and interactive media.

The Catholic Campaign for Human Development, based in Washington, D.C., is one of the largest private funding organizations for self-help programs for the poor in America. For more than 30 years, CCHD has been committed to funding long-term solutions to poverty and injustice in America, while achieving a greater public understanding and compassion for the poor. The Campaign is sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and is supported primarily by an annual collection in U.S. Catholic parishes. For more information on the "Poverty, USA" campaign visit www.povertyusa.org or contact Barbara Stephenson, 202-541-3364, BStephenson@usccb.org.