SAN ANTONIO, Texas – January 20, 2011 – Clear Channel Radio today announced two national community engagement initiatives with Musicians On Call (MOC) and UNCF (the United Negro College Fund).

Leveraging its radio and digital platforms, Clear Channel Radio will drive awareness and help raise money for Musicians On Call (MOC), a nonprofit organization that brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities, during the first quarter of 2011. In addition, Clear Channel Radio is participating in a 30-day national community engagement campaign this month to support UNCF, the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization.

“We are proud to support these two, amazing organizations – MOC and UNCF – and are excited to use the power of our radio and digital platforms and local engagement with millions of Americans to encourage their involvement and support,” said Clay Hunnicutt, Senior Vice President of Programming at Clear Channel Radio. “Helping those in need – whether they are sick or in need of support for higher education- is an admirable cause and we’re happy to put our resources behind them.”

MOC was recently chosen as the official charity partner for Z100’s Jingle Ball, and to continue Clear Channel Radio’s efforts to support MOC, the Company is developing public service announcements (PSAs) that will incorporate popular artists to raise awareness and funds for MOC. Clear Channel Radio is also utilizing its robust online capabilities to seek donations, post videos and sign up volunteers. The campaign will run through March 31, 2011.

MOC uses music to promote and complement the healing process for patients, their families and caregivers by bringing live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities across the country. The nonprofit organization has already played for over 250,000 individuals and their families through its Bedside Performance Programs.

“A company whose very identity is synonymous with music, Clear Channel Radio is an ideal partner for Musicians On Call,” said MOC’s Executive Director, Dr. Leslie Faerstein. “We so appreciate the company’s commitment and support, and are grateful to its millions of listeners and online fans for their generosity.”

Clear Channel Radio has created a series of :15 and :30 second PSAs, which are airing on more than 850 of its stations in 150 markets across the nation to create awareness and encourage donations to UNCF. The charity has played a critical role in enabling more than 60,000 students each year to attend college by awarding more than 10,000 scholarships per year, providing operating funds for its 39 member colleges and universities, and advocating for the importance of every American receiving a good preschool-through-college education.

In addition to the PSAs, the Clear Channel Radio Digital team has created a website portal for its participating radio station websites throughout the first quarter, where the portal page will serve as a source of information and collect donations. Clear Channel Radio will also produce a :30 minute long-form public service show that will discuss education in America, the role of UNCF and how people can donate, help or request help. The show will air during the weekend of January 29th and 30th.

The Clear Channel Radio UNCF initiative will air in association with the airing of UNCF An Evening of Stars® Tribute to Chaka Khan, a two-hour entertainment television special in which artists like Stevie Wonder and Fantasia perform the songs that Chaka Khan made famous and honor UNCF for its long record of support for education. Celebrating it 32nd season, UNCF An Evening of Stars will air locally from coast to coast on January 29th, and nationally on January 30th on the BET Network (10 PM ET), WGN America (3 AM CT) and Centric TV (12 AM ET). Other participating celebrities include Soledad O’Brien of CNN, Ginuwine, Mo’Nique and many more.

“By providing generous radio, digital and outdoor promotional support, producing and airing radio promos, and developing a special UNCF web site, Clear Channel is making it possible for thousands of students to get the college education they need to launch their careers and contribute to their communities,” said UNCF president and CEO Michael L.Lomax, Ph.D. “We thank them for their support and look forward to the national broadcast of UNCF An Evening of Stars® Tribute to Chaka Khan.”

 

Contacts:
Lisa Dollinger
Clear Channel Communications
(210) 832-3348
lisadollinger@clearchannel.com

 

Maggie Duquin Nolan / Sharon Oh
Brainerd Communicators, Inc.
(212) 986-6667
duquin@braincomm.com
oh@braincomm.com