Status Is Everything HIV testing campaign targets young African American men in Newark, NJ.

Status Is Everything HIV testing campaign targets young African American men in Newark, NJ.

To Increase HIV Testing Rates in Newark “Status Is Everything” Pioneers New Media, Text Messaging, and Social Media

NEWARK, N.J., Jan. 27, 2010 – On February 4, 2010, during a full day of events, the African American Office of Gay Concerns (AAOGC.org), Mayor Cory A. Booker and the LGBTQ Commission will kick-off “Status Is Everything”, a pioneering, Newark, NJ focused HIV testing social marketing campaign targeting African American men who have sex with men, aged 18-24. This is the first New Jersey public health campaign of its kind to utilize social media and text messaging to provide residents 24-hour instant access to local HIV/STD testing centers – text NJ+YourZipCode (NJ07102) to 36363. 1-866-HIV-CHECK access is provided by the New Jersey HIV/STD hotline.

Status Is Everything Social Media
Twitter – http://bit.ly/69k7mP
Facebook – http://bit.ly/SIEFacebook
YouTube - http://bit.ly/SIEBernard1
Causecast – http://bit.ly/SIECausecast

The multifaceted six month campaign features an interactive website StatusIsEverything.org that promotes seven “friendly reminder” e-cards and six video PSAs of Newark spokespeople; PSAs in movie theaters and on Cablevision Networks; bus wraps, a billboard, and light rail train signs.

WHEN: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2010

8:30AM until 10:00AM – CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST – Open To All To Attend
Newark City Hall, Rotunda, 920 Broad Street, Newark, NJ 07102
AAOGC staff and key campaign spokespeople will be available for interviews.

11:00AM – PRESS CONFERENCE – Open To All To Attend
Newark Municipal Council’s Chamber, Room 221, 920 Broad Street, Newark, NJ

Invited Speakers
Mayor Cory A. Booker, City of Newark
Mildred Crump, President, Newark Municipal Council
Laurence Ganges, MSW, Assistant Commissioner, New Jersey Department
of Health and Senior Services: Division of HIV/AIDS Service
Gary Paul Wright, Executive Director, African American Office of Gay
Concerns
Kimberlee S. Williams, Principal and Marketing Director, FEMWORKS
Danielle Bush, Counseling, Testing and Referral Services Manager, North
Jersey Community Research Initiative
Dwight Peavy, Executive Director, Newark EMA HIV Health Services
Planning Council
Timothy Daniels, Campaign Model and Spokesperson

2:00PM – 3:00PM – MOCK HIV TEST SESSION FOR B-ROLL – Media Only Please
NJCRI – 393 Central Avenue, Newark, NJ 07102

Interviews
Timothy Daniels, Status Is Everything Campaign Spokesperson
Danielle Bush, Counseling, Testing and Referral Services Manager, NJCRI
Brian McGovern, Executive Director, NJCRI
Gary Paul Wright, Executive Director, African American Office of Gay
Concerns

6:00PM – LGBTQ COMMUNITY SOCIAL MIXER AT THE SPOT – Open To All To Attend
The Spot, 45 Commerce, Newark, NJ 07102
Models, spokespeople, dignataries, elected officials, and partners will be in attendance.

WHERE: Various locations. Please see details above in the WHEN section.

Media Contacts: Contact: Kimberlee Williams, Marketing Director of FEMWORKS, (973) 494-9705 or kwilliams@femworksllc.com, or Robyn Butler of FEMWORKS, (973)494-9705, or rbutler@femworksllc.com.

Source: African American Office of Gay Concerns

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