The National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy challenges teens to decide what they would do in the heat of the moment, and then helps them understand how at-risk they really are. Throughout May, more than 200 national partners and state and local organizations raised awareness and took action.
Thanks to the Campaign's media partners, May was also full of teen pregnancy-related messaging on TV and online. Their work really matters: Three-quarters of teens and adults say that what they see in the media about sex, love, and relationships can be a good way to start conversations about these topics.
Some highlights:
- Fox Broadcasting Co. called attention to the National Day by airing The National Campaign’s Stay Teen PSAs throughout May during popular prime-time shows, including the season finale of “American Idol” that reached more than 29.2 million viewers. In addition, PSAs aired during “Glee,” “The Simpsons,” “Family Guy,” “American Dad,” “House,” and other Fox programs.
- Throughout May, The CW Television Network spread the word about the National Day with links and promotions throughout CWTV.com. They also made sure that fans of “Gossip Girl,” “Hellcats,” and “90210” learn all they can about teen pregnancy and how to prevent it by creating special National Day sections on the show’s Facebook pages and tweeting about the National Day throughout the month.
- This season, NBC’s hit show Parenthood explored what happened when 16 year-old Haddie fell in love with 19 year-old Alex, and her parents had to figure out how to talk with her, connect with her, and still set expectations and limits for her – all while trying to deal with the fact that their daughter was growing up faster than they were ready for. NBC.com posted two slide shows – one with tips for parents and one with tips for teens – as well as links to the Campaign site and a blog to help viewers start the conversation with their own teens about relationships, sex, love and how to avoid pregnancy.
- Throughout the day on May 4th, TeenNick aired four programming blocks with teen pregnancy-related episodes of Degrassi. They also aired our StayTeen PSAs heavily throughout the day on May 4th and throughout the month.
- In addition to airing multiple episodes of “16 and Pregnant” with billboards during commercial breaks highlighting the National Day and facts about teen pregnancy on the National Day, MTV announced a new season of their popular "Teen Mom" series and aired a block of existing "Teen Mom" shows. Additionally, as part of the Emmy Award-Winning “It’s Your (Sex) Life” campaign, MTV released a series of new PSAs featuring its “Teen Mom” cast members talking candidly about sex, pregnancy and how to prevent it. Some of the spots encourage viewers to visit our StayTeen.org website. Also, Act.MTV.com will be posting a series of blogs by the teen moms throughout May, and are urging visitors to click through to the quiz. The first post alone resulted in nearly 900 click-throughs to the quiz.
- Once again, Tr3s – MTV’s destination for U.S. Latino culture, news, music and more – supports teen pregnancy prevention in a big way by featuring the Campaign’s Stay Joven PSAs on-air throughout the day on May 4th and also posting related content online at Tr3s.com's Blogamole blog.
- HolaMun2.com, the online destination for Mun2 (Telemundo’s sister network for young Latinos), is created an entire month’s worth of creative content to bring teen pregnancy into the spotlight and motivate viewers and site users to get involved, share their ideas and opinions, and learn the facts about preventing teen pregnancy. On May 4th and throughout May, they featured online polls, slide shows, and other interactive features, including links to the National Day Quiz. HolaMun2.com also used social media to build awareness and inspire action among young Latinos.
- HLN's Dr. Drew was joined by Maci, Farrah and Catelynn from Season 1 of MTV's Teen Mom to draw attention to The National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy on May 4th. Viewers saw the new teen pregnancy prevention PSAs featuring MTV's teen moms and learned more about how to get involved. Dr. Drew also pointed viewers to our quiz and parent discussion guide on his blog site at drdrew.blogs.cnn.com.
- Dr. Oz talked to the stars of MTV's "Teen Mom" about the show's success, their own struggles, and the swirl of media attention surrounding them on the May 3rd episode of The Dr. Oz Show. "Teen Mom" cast members Maci, Leah and Kailyn talked about the "Teen Mom" phenomenon, tackled hard questions about their lives and futures, and took on some of their toughest critics. Teen Mom show creator Lauren Dolgen also joined the panel to explore the show's effects on the public discourse and perception about teen pregnancy.
- The Tom Joyner Morning Show's 10 million listeners heard host Tom Joyner discuss teen pregnancy and urge listeners to take the National Day Quiz all month long. On May 4th, The National Campaign’s Paula Parker-Sawyers joined Joyner to talk about the National Day and what parents can do to help their teens avoid pregnancy. Online content supporting the National Day was also featured at www.BlackAmericaWeb.com.
- The Candie's Foundation hosted their annual Event to Prevent in New York City on May 4th. This annual star-studded event continues to raise awareness about teen pregnancy in the United States and brought together leaders in the media, entertainment, business, and political worlds. Additionally, National Campaign CEO Sarah Brown and others who have done exceptional work for the cause were honored at the event.
- d. exposito & partners alerted parents and those who work with and care about teens throughout with helpful information, tips and encouragement to talk with teens about love, sex, relationships and how to prevent pregnancy. By mobilizing her network of decision-makers and business leaders in the Latino community, Daisy Exposito – a long-time Campaign Board Member and co-founder of our Latino Media Avisory Group – worked with her talented team of award-winning advertising and public relations experts to harness the power of Facebook and Twitter to keep teen pregnancy at the top of the agenda and to remind her network of influential leaders that teen pregnancy is 100% prevent preventable. She also raised the profile of our issue on key web sites for Latino parents, encouraging them to take advantage of May as National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month and start the conversation with their teens.
- Thanks to Secret Life of the American Teenager on ABCFamily.com for creating a supportive and vibrant online community where teens can exchange ideas and information about their favorite show as well as sex, love, relationships and pregnancy. Get in on the action at ABC Family's Secret Life website.
Special thanks to all of our wonderful media partner for their exceptional work this May. Without your efforts that National Day could not have been such a great success. We look forward to working with you all in 2012.