Astral Media makes $1 million commitment
to MS Society of Canada
Donation allows MS Society to run full scale ad campaign
Toronto, July 16, 2008 - Astral Media Inc. (TSX: ACM.A/ACM.B) and the
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada today announced a partnership where
Astral Media will donate more than $1 million in advertising space to
the MS Society. The pledge has been made to help draw attention to the
MS Society's work in funding research to end multiple sclerosis and to
raise awareness of the most common neurological disease which affects
many Canadians.
Ken Mayhew, chief development
officer, MS Society of Canada, Rick Waugh, honourary chair
of the endMS campaign and president and CEO of Scotiabank
and Ian Greenberg, president and CEO of Astral Media Inc.
“We believe strongly in this campaign and are pleased to play a
role in making it successful,” said Ian Greenberg, president and
CEO of Astral Media. “We are confident that the visibility offered
through our various media platforms will help draw attention to this devastating
disease which affects so many Canadian men, women and children. It is
our goal to support MS researchers in finding the cause and cure to end
MS.’’
The MS Society of Canada will utilize Astral Media’s extensive
media properties to promote its new endMS capital campaign. The objective
of the campaign is to raise $60 million in support of MS research activities
in Canada. The sponsored ads direct people to donate via www.endMS.ca.
“Astral Media has always been an outstanding corporate citizen
and a long-time supporter of the Society. As such we are excited to partner
with them," said Rick Waugh, president and CEO of Scotiabank and
honourary chair of the endMS campaign. "Through this generous sponsorship
package, we fully expect to enhance the profile of the MS cause and direct
more funds to research.’’
The ad campaign launched this month on Astral Media’s national
network of 82 radio stations and more than 10 English- and French-language
television networks. The endMS capital campaign is also featured on advertising
faces across Ontario and Québec, as well as on a large number of
Astral Media’s 70 websites.
“On behalf of the 55,000 to 75,000 Canadians living with MS, I
extend my gratitude to Astral Media and its employees,” said Yves
Savoie, president and CEO of the MS Society. “We are truly grateful
that they support our vision to end MS.”
About multiple sclerosis and the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, often disabling disease of the
brain and spinal cord. It is the most common neurological
disease of young adults in Canada. Most people with MS are diagnosed between
the
ages of 15 and 40, and the unpredictable effects of MS last
for the
rest of their lives. The MS Society provides services to
people with MS and their families and funds research to find the cause
and cure
for this disease. Please visit www.mssociety.ca or
call 1-800-268-7582 to make a donation or for more information.
About Astral Media
Astral Media is one of Canada's leading media companies, active
in specialty and pay television, radio, outdoor advertising
and iMedia. Astral Media's solid and dynamic presence in the
country's major markets
rests on its commitment to offer a unique combination of
high-quality, targeted media for all its audiences. To learn more, visit www.astralmedia.com.
