Walgreens Launches Chicago-Area Minority Youth Fitness Initiative.

Walgreen Co. has announced a health and fitness program that will stimulate ongoing interaction and dialogue within the African-American community on children’s health, fitness and educational issues. The program, scheduled to launch in the fall of 2004, will be developed and managed by Flowers Communications Group (FCG) of Chicago.

“Since our founding in 1901, Walgreens has recognized the connection between strong communities and good business. We are committed to addressing and meeting the needs of African-American communities,” says Craig Sinclair, vice president, advertising for Walgreen Co. “Our goal is to create positive programs within the areas where they are needed most.”

Walgreens and FCG will launch the educational and fitness-focused program in Chicago and suburban public schools for minority youth. The initiative will offer health and fitness information with a fun and creative approach, helping to address the serious incidence of childhood obesity. The program also will include an advisory team comprised of teachers, healthcare professionals and fitness experts.

FCG creates and implements quality public relations programs targeting the African-American consumer market. “We are quite proud of our new relationship with Walgreens,” says D. Michelle Flowers, CEO of Flowers Communications Group.

“The selection of FCG to execute this important healthcare initiative, which addresses a problem that disproportionately affects so many African- American children, demonstrates that Walgreens is committed to programming that reaches and respects the black community, which has long been our arena of expertise.”