MTV logo to wear universal HIV/AIDS awareness red ribbon worldwide
on air and digitally
New global Viacom research reveals 2 in 3 people believe HIV/AIDS
is an urgent issue today, but nearly half do not actively take steps to
protect themselves
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NEW YORK & LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 30, 2018--
In global observation of World
AIDS Day tomorrow, which is held annually on December 1st
to unite people worldwide in the fight against HIV, MTV’s logo will wear
the universally symbolic red ribbon on its channels and platforms in
nearly 180 countries. MTV International will also launch a limited
short-form series titled “Myths Debunked” on linear and digital, which
discusses safe sex, getting tested and common myths around HIV/AIDS.
To commemorate both World AIDS Day and the 20th anniversary
of the MTV
Staying Alive Foundation (both of which fall on December 1st),
parent company Viacom and UNAIDS also released new research that
observed the perception of HIV/AIDS today. The survey looked at
awareness levels of HIV/AIDS around the world and if people are taking
preventive steps to avoid infection.
Findings
include:
-
On a global level, two-thirds of people think HIV/AIDS is an urgent
issue today.
-
Nearly three-quarters of people globally consider themselves educated
on how to reduce the risk of acquiring HIV. However, almost half do
not actively take measures to protect themselves. Globally, 44% of
people do not actively take steps to reduce their risk of contracting
the virus.
-
Nearly half of people globally have also never been tested for HIV.
“Young people must have a seat at the decision-making table about their
own lives,” said Michel Sidibe, executive director, UNAIDS. “Today’s
young generation will make ending AIDS a reality.”
“Since its inception 20 years ago, the MTV Staying Alive Foundation has
pioneered a youth movement in the relentless fight against HIV, proudly
supporting youth-led initiatives and empowering change-makers across the
globe,” said Georgia Arnold, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the
MTV Staying Alive Foundation. “As we celebrate this important milestone,
we acknowledge that while we have indeed made great strides, there is
still more work to be done in pursuit of our goal of building a world
where all young people are able to make informed choices about their
sexual health and well-being.”
Earlier this week, the MTV Staying Alive Foundation also celebrated
its 20th anniversary of fighting HIV/AIDS. The
star-studded gala at Guastavino’s in New York recognized the
foundation’s 20 years of campaigning around HIV and sexual/reproductive
health and rights, and raised more than $570,000toward the
global fight to end HIV.
Grammy award-winning artist and AIDS activistAlicia Keys honored
Viacom for its founding support of the organization by presenting an
award to Viacom President and CEO Bob Bakish. Additional speakers
and performers at the event included Jack Antonoff, Phony Ppl, Henry
Luyombya, and Nelson Mandela’s granddaughter Swati Dlamini-Mandela.
The MTV Staying Alive Foundation promotes sexual and reproductive health
and rights globally, by funding innovative youth-led programs and
producing ground-breaking content – including the multi-award winning
MTV Shuga—that encourages young people to get tested, practice safe sex,
and live without stigma and fear. To date, the foundation has awarded
more than $6 million in grants and directly educated more than 3.8
million young people across 70 countries about HIV.
For more information on World AIDS Day, visit www.worldaidsday.org.
About MTV
MTV is the leading youth media brand inspired by
music, in nearly 180 countries and 450 million homes around the world,
connecting with over 350 million fans across all social media platforms.
A unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), MTV operations span cable and
mobile networks, live events, theatrical films and new MTV Studios unit
which produces new and reimagined content for SVOD and Linear platforms
based on MTV’s library of over 200+ youth titles and franchises.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181130005185/en/
Source: MTV
Press:
Gayle Gaviola,
Viacom International
gayle.gaviola@viacom.com
or
Janice
Gatti,
Viacom International
janice.gatti@vimn.com