Comcast Commits $27 Million to City Year; Airs New Public Service Announcements To Increase Recruitment
PHILADELPHIA -- In an effort to inspire young people to commit to national service, City Year, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, and Comcast today introduced a nationwide City Year campaign called "give a year. change the world." that encourages young people to get involved and serve their community.
At a press event held in Comcast's main lobby, Mayor Nutter, David L. Cohen, Executive Vice President of Comcast, and Michael Brown, CEO and Co-Founder of City Year, all spoke about the positive impact that young leaders can have in the community and the need to promote and expand opportunities for them to serve, especially during the difficult economic times our nation is facing. Additionally, a special screening of five new public service announcements (PSAs) promoting the new campaign was held on The Comcast Experience video wall and over 40 City Year corps members conducted their signature exercise routine.
"In the current state of the economy, City Year provides young adults with a powerful way to give back to their communities," said Mr. Cohen. "We are absolutely thrilled to partner with City Year. They have motivated thousands of young people to take active roles within communities and schools across the nation, and the PSAs are a terrific reflection of the great work they do. We hope others will join the organization and further their cause."
Comcast is one of City Year's leading corporate partners and recently made a three-year, $27 million commitment. Comcast will air the PSAs and provide financial support for development and training needs of City Year staff and corps members. The PSAs were designed and produced by Arnold Worldwide, which also donated the time and production costs for the project.
"The number of applications we have received nationwide has nearly tripled as more students are answering the call to serve and make an impact on their local communities," said Mr. Brown. "Our tremendous partnership with Comcast is making it possible for us to take an enormous step forward to promote the idea and the opportunity of service across the country."
"Now is a more important time than ever for young adults to give back to their communities," said Mayor Nutter. "Being a founding board member of City Year Greater Philadelphia, I've witnessed first hand the rewarding experiences the organization provides and I hope our young adults will accept this call to action and join City Year to further advance our local communities."
The PSAs feature City Year corps members - 17 to 24 year olds from diverse backgrounds - in meaningful moments that convey the powerful impact they have as young people engaged in citizen service - tutoring in schools, mentoring students, cleaning up neighborhoods, working together for a common purpose. Each PSA conveys the new City Year tagline: "give a year. change the world."
"The more you learn about City Year the more you are inspired by the energy, passion and optimism that shine through everything they do," said Brian Hayes, Creative Director at Arnold. "We hope that these new PSAs convey this feeling and motivate more young people to get involved in the program."
City Year is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and since 1988 more than 11,000 young leaders have given 18 million hours of service, working as tutors, mentors and role models to more than one million children across the nation.
The PSAs can be seen on the Comcast cable network and online at www.cityyear.org/psa.
About City Year
City Year unites young people of all backgrounds for a year of full-time service, giving them the skills and opportunities to change the world. As tutors, mentors, and role models, these young leaders make a difference in the lives of children and transform schools and neighborhoods across the United States and in South Africa. For more information, please visit www.cityyear.org. City Year is a proud member of AmeriCorps.
About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) (www.comcast.com) is the nation's leading provider of entertainment, information and communication products and services. With 24.4 million cable customers, 14.7 million high-speed Internet customers, and 6.1 million Comcast Digital Voice customers, Comcast is principally involved in the development, management and operation of broadband cable systems and in the delivery of programming content.
Comcast's content networks and investments include E! Entertainment Television, Style Network, Golf Channel, VERSUS, G4, PBS KIDS Sprout, TV One, ten Comcast SportsNet networks and Comcast Interactive Media, which develops and operates Comcast's Internet businesses, including Comcast.net (www.comcast.net). Comcast also has a majority ownership in Comcast-Spectacor, whose major holdings include the Philadelphia Flyers NHL hockey team, the Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball team and two large multipurpose arenas in Philadelphia.
