Clear Channel Radio To Support MDA And The Fight Against Muscle Disease With National PSA Campaign & Second Annual “Get Discovered!” Talent Competition
Clear Channel Radio To Support MDA And The Fight Against Muscle Disease With National PSA Campaign & Second Annual “Get Discovered!” Talent Competition
Winners To Perform Live On The MDA Telethon
San Antonio, Texas– June 15, 2011 – The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) and Clear Channel Radio announced today that they will partner to combat muscle diseases with a robust Public Service Announcement (PSA) radio campaign and the second annual “Get Discovered!” talent competition.
The “Get Discovered!” online contest will solicit unsigned artists to enter via iHeartRadio.com, Clear Channel’s industry-leading digital radio service, or on any of Clear Channel Radio’s participating stations’ websites now through July 22. Three talented winners will be chosen by a panel of music industry leaders to perform live and in primetime on the MDA Labor Day Telethon’s national broadcast, on Sunday, Sept. 4.
Additionally, as part of Clear Channel’s commitment to improving the lives of people with neuromuscular diseases, 850 Clear Channel Radio stations will broadcast a three month PSA campaign beginning June 15, 2011. The series of more than 250,000 announcements, produced in collaboration with major artists like Jennifer Lopez, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire and Adam Sandler, will create awareness around debilitating muscle diseases and encourage listeners to make a donation during this year’s telethon.
“For musical artists looking for their big break, there’s nothing like primetime network television performances,” said Gerald C. Weinberg, MDA President, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Telethon Executive Producer. “Our ‘Get Discovered!’ partnership with Clear Channel Radio will make it easy for talented artists to compete for three live performance opportunities on the MDA Labor Day Telethon. We also greatly appreciate Clear Channel’s support in raising awareness of the fight against muscle disease through the national PSA campaign.”
“Clear Channel Radio is committed to supporting causes that impact the lives of our listeners in local communities across the country,” said Clay Hunnicutt, Senior Vice President, Programming, Clear Channel Radio. “Our partnership with the MDA is a perfect opportunity to support an organization that is focused on improving lives while showcasing the best in emerging artists and celebrating the annual accomplishments of the MDA during their iconic telethon.”
Media Contacts:
Jim Brown
MDA
520-529-5320
jbrown@mdausa.org
Jessica King
Clear Channel Radio
212-549-0966
jessicaking@clearchannel.com
About the MDA Telethon
The 46th annual MDA Labor Day Telethon will air on Sunday, Sept. 4, 2011 on more than 150 television stations. The six-hour primetime event will feature about 20 performances by some of the biggest names in show business. Broadcast from 6:00 p.m. to midnight in every U.S. time zone, the show also will be streamed live online. Co-hosts for the 2011 MDA Telethon are Nigel Lythgoe (American Idol + So You Think You Can Dance), Nancy O’Dell (Entertainment Tonight), Alison Sweeney (The Biggest Loser + Days of Our Lives), and Jann Carl (Emmy-winning journalist and independent producer).
About the MDA
MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive healthcare and support services, advocacy and education. See the award-winning MDA “Make A Muscle, Make A Difference” PSA.
In addition to funding more than 330 research teams worldwide, MDA maintains a national network of some 200 hospital-affiliated clinics; orchestrates hundreds of support groups for families affected by neuromuscular diseases; facilitates extraordinary local summer camp opportunities for thousands youngsters fighting progressive muscle diseases. Known globally for the MDA Labor Day Telethon, the Association is the first nonprofit to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Medical Association “for significant and lasting contributions to the health and welfare of humanity.”