Frequently Asked Questions
Who created these public service announcements (PSAs) and how were they selected?
The “Sex Has Consequences” PSAs were created by young people, for young people. These 15- and 30- second PSAs are the result of a national contest for young filmmakers and were judged by a panel of teens.
Is there a common theme to these PSAs?
When the National Campaign sponsored the PSA contest, we asked that all entries use the theme “Sex Has Consequences.” Though there is a common theme that runs throughout all of the PSAs, each PSA gets that message across. Some use humor, some have a more serious tone.
Were these PSAs created for a specific target audience? Were they tested with teens?
These PSAs were created for a teen audience. While they were not formally tested, winners were chosen by teens from around the country. We have recieved positive feedback from organizations working with teens around the country so far. We hope that you will let us know how teens respond.
What does the National Campaign hope to accomplish with these PSAs?
We hope that organizations will get these PSAs on local television stations and web sites around the country. We hope these PSAs will benefit communities nationwide by increasing awareness, motivating others to get more involved in teen pregnancy prevention, and sparking conversations among teens.
How can I get my hands on these PSAs?
The National Campaign is offering these PSAs to individuals or organizations interested in using them on their web sites or for broadcast purposes. The PSAs are available on:
- DVD for use in forums such as classrooms and in presentations;
- CD-ROM with media files for online placement; and
- Beta SP, the format preferred by broadcasters.
For more information about ordering these products, visit the National Campaign’s Online Store.
How can I get these PSAs on television in my community?
Getting a PSA shown on television is highly competitive, but can really raise awareness of the issue of teen pregnancy. Contact your local television station and ask about the proper procedure for getting PSAs on the air. Usually these requests are handled through the public affairs/community relations/public service departments. Broadcasters are required to donate some air time to causes, so find out what your local cable and network stations can do.
For more information, download the National Campaign’s “Tips for Placing PSAs” document.
Can I post these PSAs on my website?
Yes, but you must first order the “Sex Has Consequences” CD-ROM from the National Campaign’s Online Store. The CD-ROM comes with video files in MPEG and Flash Video format and instructions for posting the files to your web site.
Do I need the Campaign’s permission to air these PSAs in my community?
No, but we would like to know how you are using them. Please send a note—it doesn’t have to be more than a few sentences—to mrosst@thenc.org and let us know how you are sharing these PSAs with your community. We will post your stories in our PSA Success Stories section of our web site.
Can I customize these PSAs with my organization’s name and logo?
Yes. Individuals or organizations interested in customizing these PSAs with specific information for their community should contact the National Campaign at mrosst@thenc.org.
Are Spanish-language versions of these PSAs available?
Yes. One of the PSAs, Hablador Suave, is available in both 15- and 30-second versions in Spanish. Visit our PSAs en Español section to view these videos.
I can’t see the videos on your web site. What’s wrong?
These videos may take a moment to load, so please be patient. If they don't load after a couple of seconds, your computer might need the latest version of Adobe Flash Player. If you do not have Adobe Flash Player installed, please download it for free at http://www.adobe.com.
In which digital media file formats are these PSAs available?
The “Sex Has Consequences” PSAs are available in two digital formats: MPEG and Flash Video.
- MPEG files encode audio-visual information in a digitally compressed format. The major advantage of MPEG compared to other video coding formats is that MPEG files balance small file size with good quality. Most media players and plug-ins will play MPEG video. These videos are great for posting on web sites, using in PowerPoint presentations, or showing to small audiences.
- Flash Video (FLV) files are a much smaller than MPEGs and offer high quality video. Flash Videos files contain encoded audio and video data for delivery through the Adobe Flash Player. If you do not the most recent version of Adobe Flash Player installed, you may not be able to view these video. Please download it for free at http://www.adobe.com. These videos are great for posting on web sites using Macromedia Dreamweaver.
Can I insert one of these PSAs in a PowerPoint presentation?
Yes, but you must first order the “Sex Has Consequences” CD-ROM from the National Campaign’s Online Store. The CD-ROM comes with downloadable MPEG video files and instructions for embedding videos in your presentation.