Azteca America teams up with The Ad Council.

Azteca America is proud to be a media partner with the Ad Council for the US Department of Health and Services (HHS) PSA campaign produced by DreamWorks Animation SKG to combat childhood obesity.

For 2007, Azteca America has committed with the Ad Council a $1.3 million in-kind airtime donation for the childhood obesity and other public service campaigns.

The messages “Levántate, diviértete y vamos a jugar,” and “Levántate y juega. Una hora al dia,” are Spanish-language equivalents of the “Get up and be a player,” and the “Get up and play. An hour a day” slogans.

“We are excited to be a part of this campaign to stress the importance of leading healthful lives. Our mission will be to carry the message to Hispanic families to help eradicate this growing health risk,” said Luis J. Echarte, Chairman of Azteca America and President and CEO of Fundacion Azteca America.

The PSAs will begin running on Azteca America on February 2. The campaign was formally launched this morning by HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt at a press conference in Washington DC.

“Despite all of the emphasis focused on childhood obesity in our country during the last several years, many children and families are still not making the necessary changes to lead healthy lifestyles,” said Ad Council President and CEO Peggy Conlon. “We are delighted to continue our partnership with HHS with this new series of PSAs that are both motivating and entertaining for children. I am confident that this work, combined with the wonderful efforts of our Coalition, will have a significant impact on this epidemic.”

The Obesity Prevention campaign launched in March 2004, targeting adults, and focuses on the power of small steps taken regularly. The campaign expanded its target to children in the fall of 2005 and currently aims to encourage all children and families to lead healthy lifestyles. Since the campaign launch, the PSAs have received more than $270 million in total donated media support. Additionally, the campaign website, www.smallstep.gov, attracted an average of 190,000 visits per month during 2006.

For more information http://www.fundacionaztecaamerica.org>