Viacom and Kaiser offer up 13 new AIDS PSAs

In advance of National HIV Testing Day on June 27, Viacom and the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation announced 13 new public service messages as part of their joint "Know HIV/AIDS" public education campaign that urges HIV antibody testing among high-risk groups, including youths, people of color, and gay and bisexual men. The ads, which carry the tag line "Knowing Is Beautiful" and will begin airing this week on Viacom's television, radio, and outdoor properties, seek to redefine how people think about HIV testing and to break down the associated stigma. The TV ads will appear on CBS, UPN, Nick at Nite, MTV, VH1, BET, TV Land, Country Music Television, Spike TV, Showtime, and Comedy Central; the radio ads will be aired on Viacom's 185 Infinity Broadcasting radio stations. A second wave of ads will launch in the fall. The PSAs are the latest installment of a $200 million media commitment Viacom has made toward HIV education this year as part of its collaboration with Kaiser. In addition the Peabody Award-winning partnership also includes HIV-themed programming and free print and online informational resources. For more information about the campaign go online to www.knowhivaids.org. For local HIV testing centers call the campaign's hotline at (866) 344-KNOW.