Special Olympics Joins Clear Channel Media & Entertainment & iHeartRadio To Launch Its 2012 Holiday Campaign
iHeartRadio Introduces New Digital Christmas Station, “A Very Special Christmas Radio,” Celebrating 25 Years Of The Iconic Album Series
New York, 27 November, 2012 – Special Olympics, an international organization that changes lives through the power of sport for people with intellectual disabilities, and Clear Channel Communities™, the community engagement brand of Clear Channel Media and Entertainment and iHeartRadio, today announced the launch of a multi-platform campaign commemorating 25 years of the “A Very Special Christmas” album series, the single most successful benefit recording series in musical history, which has generated more than $109 million in royalties to support Special Olympics.
It was also announced today that Clear Channel’s iHeartRadio digital radio platform is launching an exclusive digital radio station that features the entire collection of “A Very Special Christmas,” with songs by U2, Madonna, Sting, Bon Jovi, Reba McEntire, Alan Jackson, Wyclef Jean, Sheryl Crow, Mary J. Blige, No Doubt, Eric Clapton, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Vanessa Williams, Bryan Adams and more, all of whom have contributed to previous albums. The station will also include all-new songs from this year’s two-album releases, A Very Special Christmas “25th Anniversary “Joy To The World” on Big Machine Records & A Very Special Christmas “Bringing Peace on Earth” on Word Records.
The all-new iHeartRadio holiday digital station will be promoted across all of Clear Channel’s 850 radio stations, reaching 239 million monthly US listeners, with a series of public service announcements that combine Special Olympics athlete stories with information on how to access the free station at iHeartRadio.com. The spots also feature a number of celebrities and recording artists, including Ryan Seacrest, Martina McBride, Train, Hunter Hayes, Michelle Kwan and Vanessa Williams. In addition, a 30-minute public affairs radio special is set to air across multiple formats during the month of December, featuring audio from Special Olympics Chairman and CEO Timothy Shriver and Special Olympics athletes, among others. The Clear Channel campaign is valued at over $6 million in media support.
“iHeartRadio is giving our listeners a special holiday gift by offering them the opportunity to listen to all of their favorite multi-genre “A Very Special Christmas” songs on one free, easy to use platform,” said Jessica King, Director of Community Engagement for Clear Channel. “Our on-air holiday campaign will encourage listeners to visit iHeartRadio, where they can find and enjoy the holiday songs they love, and be inspired to purchase this year’s 25th anniversary albums in support of Special Olympics.”
“We could not be more grateful to Clear Channel for their support of this album series, which is so important to our Special Olympics athletes,” said Peter Wheeler, Special Olympics Chief of Strategic Properties. “Thanks to this partnership, we will reach millions of Clear Channel listeners who will learn about the legacy from the ‘A Very Special Christmas’ album series that continues to sustain our work to bring the joy of sport to people with intellectual disabilities worldwide.”
“This is an album that everyone is so proud of and we're equally thrilled that Clear Channel has embraced this music and will utilize across their entire media, entertainment and iHeartRadio platforms. So many great artists, creative executives and fantastic companies have come together and given their support,” said Scott Borchetta, President and CEO of the Big Machine Label Group in Nashville. “Every single sale is a victory for Special Olympics.”
Since 1987, the biggest and brightest voices in the recording industry have generously lent their time and talents to Special Olympics to create the holiday album series “A Very Special Christmas,” the single most successful benefit recording series in musical history. Learn more about ‘A Very Special Christmas’ at www.averyspecialchristmas.org. Listen to the all-new iHeartRadio holiday digital station at: http://www.iheart.com/#/live/6142/
About Special Olympics:
Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives through the power of sport by empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all, and fostering communities of understanding and respect worldwide. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown from a few hundred athletes to 4 million athletes in 170 countries worldwide, providing year-round sports training, athletic competition and related programs. Special Olympics takes place daily, changing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities all over the world. Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy and friendship. Visit Special Olympics at www.specialolympics.org. Engage with us on: Twitter @specialolympics; fb.com/specialolympics; youtube.com/specialolympicshq, and specialolympicsblog.wordpress.com