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|  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, September 2, 2009 DEPUTY MAYOR SKYLER, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY NAPOLITANO, OEM COMMISSIONER BRUNO and AMERICAN RED CROSS IN GREATER NEW YORK CEO TERRY BISCHOFF KICK OFF NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH WITH LAUNCH OF READY NEW YORK CITY CAMPAIGN Partnership with The Advertising Council Furthers City’s Preparedness Efforts Deputy Mayor Edward Skyler today joined Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano, Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Commissioner Joseph F. Bruno, American Red Cross in Greater New York (ARC/GNY) CEO Theresa Bischoff and The Advertising Council President and CEO Peggy Conlon to launch Ready New York City, a new public service advertising campaign designed to encourage New Yorkers to prepare for emergencies. The announcement was made in Times Square, at one of five National Preparedness Month kick-off events taking place across the city. “New Yorkers know from experience how important it is to be prepared for the unexpected,” Deputy Mayor for Operations Edward Skyler said. “National Preparedness Month provides an important opportunity for all New Yorkers to re-assess and re- adjust their preparedness plans, for themselves and for their families. Through efforts like the Ready New York City campaign, and with the support of partners like the American Red Cross, we are making great strides toward our ultimate goal: for every New Yorker to be as prepared as he or she can be.” “Preparedness is a shared responsibility that begins with the American people,” said Secretary Napolitano. “These public service advertisements highlight the simple steps New Yorkers can take to prepare for disasters, enhancing the safety and security of the city. This new campaign is a great example of how local government and non-profit organizations are providing relevant resources for their communities.” “This marks the sixth year we are joining our Citizen Corps Council partners during National Preparedness Month to remind New Yorkers about the steps they should take to prepare for emergencies – get a kit, make a plan, get informed,” said Commissioner Bruno. “This September is particularly special because we are also partnering with the American Red Cross in Greater New York and the Ad Council to bolster our outreach efforts through “Ready New York City,” our new advertising campaign, which will carry our message of personal and family preparedness to New Yorkers we haven’t reached so far.” “Every day the American Red Cross in Greater New York responds to disasters and emergencies where we see the added suffering that results when people are not ready,” said American Red Cross in Greater New York CEO Theresa Bischoff. “It is for this reason that we are thrilled to be a part of this very necessary and compelling campaign that serves as a call to action for all New Yorkers to be prepared before a disaster strikes.” The Ready New York City campaign uses the metaphor “a disaster can turn your world (or your family’s world) upside down.” The campaign will include a television ad, two radio spots and four print designs that will be placed in newspapers, online, and in outdoor advertising spaces such as bus shelters, phone kiosks, and billboards. Ready New York City also features a website that hosts information to help New Yorkers follow up on the campaign’s three central recommendations: 1) get a kit, 2) make a plan, and 3) be informed. Ready New York City’s online content is available in English at www.readynyc.org or in Spanish at www.listonyc.org. “Our research has found that New Yorkers often believe they are adequately prepared for an emergency, but many do not understand what it truly takes to be ready,” said Peggy Conlon, president and CEO of the Ad Council. “We are proud to partner with Deputy Mayor Skyler, OEM, and the American Red Cross in Greater New York on this new campaign that will provide the necessary motivation and resources for New York City to increase the level of public preparedness.” According to a 2009 OEM survey, 40 percent of New Yorkers say they do not feel prepared for an emergency. Additionally, 40 percent say they do not have any form of a household emergency plan and 73 percent do not have all of the recommended emergency supplies in their homes. National Preparedness Month is a month-long nationwide campaign, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, to promote emergency preparedness and encourage volunteerism. Each September, the New York City Citizen Corps Council organizes National Preparedness Month activities throughout the city by bringing together disaster relief and other volunteer organizations to distribute information at fairs, host demonstrations, and lead preparedness presentations. This year’s National Preparedness Month focuses on changing perceptions about emergency preparedness and helping Americans understand what it means to be “ready.” National Preparedness Month Coalition members will distribute emergency preparedness information and sponsor activities across the country that will promote preparedness. To see a list of Coalition members who have pledged their support and joined the 2009 National Preparedness Month Coalition, please visit http://www.ready.gov/america/npm09/members.htm. Emergency Preparedness is one of the six strategic impact areas towards which NYC Service is dedicated to driving essential volunteer support. NYC Service was launched by Mayor Bloomberg in April to meet his State of the City pledge for New York City to lead the nation in answering President Obama’s national call to service. Ready New York City is an extension of a national campaign sponsored by the US Department of Homeland Security and developed by the Ad Council. Information on DHS’s Ready Campaign is available at www.ready.gov. In honor of National Preparedness Month, Clear Channel Spectacolor will run the 30-second Ready New York City television PSA on its digital billboard in Duffy Square once each hour during the month September, pro bono. Clear Channel Spectacolor has also donated a large (45 feet x 65 feet) vinyl billboard that will be displayed in Times Square during the month of September. NYC & Company has garnered space from Cemusa and Vector Media on 25 telephone kiosks and 25 bus shelter panels. Ready New York City advertisements will be placed in the telephone kiosks for 12 weeks beginning in October. The ads will run in the bus shelter panels for four weeks beginning the first week of November. Several additional media companies have made commitments to donate time and space to support the PSAs. These media companies include Clear Channel Outdoor, Clear Channel Radio NYC, Emmis Radio NYC, Lamar Outdoor, Van Wagner Outdoor, WABC-AM, WABC-TV, WCBS Radio, WCBS-TV, WFUT-TV (Telefutura), WNYW-TV (Fox 5), WPLJ-FM, WWOR-TV (My 9) and WXTV-TV (Univision). For more information on the Ready New York City campaign, visit www.readynyc.org or call 311. -30- CONTACT: |  |
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