New York, NY, Dec. 13, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Comic Relief USA announced the return of Red Nose Day for 2019, and the renewal of all core partners – Comcast NBCUniversal, Walgreens, Mars Wrigley Confectionery, and The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation – in support of the campaign’s mission to end child poverty. In 2019, the multi-week fundraising campaign will culminate on Red Nose Day, Thursday, May 23.
With the generous support of millions of Americans, hundreds of celebrities, and key partners, Red Nose Day has raised nearly $150 million since launching in the U.S. in 2015. Funds raised are evenly split to support domestic and international programs that ensure children in need are safe, healthy, and educated.
In its first four years, the money raised through Red Nose Day has positively impacted over 16 million children in the U.S. and around the world, spanning all 50 states and Puerto Rico, and some of the neediest communities in Latin America, Africa and Asia. The campaign has helped to provide:
- educational services to more than 960,000 children;
- more than 13 million essential medical services for children;
- care for over 75,000 homeless and street children;
- over 36 million meals to feed hungry American children.
Janet Scardino, CEO of Comic Relief USA, said, “Red Nose Day is all about making it fun to make a difference. That brilliantly simple idea has really taken off. This past year, we raised over $47 million thanks to the outsized generosity of Americans across the country and our amazing partners – all coming together to help children in the greatest need.”
“When we brought Red Nose Day to America, my hope was that we could inspire people to realize we can all truly make a difference for kids living really tough lives – and have fun doing so,” said Richard Curtis, co-founder of Red Nose Day. “As Red Nose Day USA enters its fifth year, it’s clear that it’s found a special place in millions of Americans’ hearts already, and they have really made it their own. I’m thrilled to see what’s yet to come.”
Red Nose Day’s core partners have provided critical support for the charity event since the campaign’s launch in the U.S. and will continue to play an integral role in raising both awareness and vital funds to help children most in need. The efforts of these market leaders to support the campaign highlight the important role business plays in changing the world for the better.
NBC will continue as the campaign’s exclusive broadcast television partner, with a three-hour block of primetime programming celebrating Red Nose Day and promotional support across Comcast NBCUniversal. “One of the most rewarding parts about having a broadcast network is being able to use that vast reach to make a positive impact on the world,” said Paul Telegdy and George Cheeks, Co-Chairmen, NBC Entertainment. “Year after year, we’re able to leverage our hit shows, top celebrity talent and strong affiliate network to grow the awareness of and connection to Red Nose Day. The show’s ability to inspire millions of viewers to raise money to help eradicate global child poverty make this one of our most important nights of television all year.”
Walgreens will once again return as a national partner and the exclusive retailer of the campaign’s iconic Red Noses, which will be on sale during the campaign at its more than 9,000 stores nationwide. Walgreens has sold over 40 million Red Noses since 2015. Alex Gourlay, Co-Chief Operating Officer for Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., said, “Walgreens has been a major supporter of Red Nose Day since day one. Thanks to the support of our caring and generous customers, team members and suppliers, we are proud to drive remarkable impact by raising awareness and contributions in our stores throughout the nation for this important cause.”
For the fifth year, M&M’S®, a Mars Wrigley Confectionery brand, will continue as a Red Nose Day national partner, contributing $1 million in funding while supporting the effort through a range of events, integrations, and fundraising. Lee Andrews, Vice President, Corporate Affairs, US/Americas, Mars Wrigley Confectionery, said, “The way Red Nose Day uses humor and entertainment to engage people around a cause is a natural fit for our M&M’S® Brand. It’s become a highlight for our employees too, with thousands of our associates coming together in May to have fun and make a difference.”
Longtime Red Nose Day supporter The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will continue as a key funding and programming partner. Jennifer Alcorn, Deputy Director of Philanthropic Partnerships at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, said, “Red Nose Day is a wonderful moment in time. We are proud to partner with Comic Relief and join other Americans in improving the lives of children living in poverty in the U.S. and around the world.”
About Red Nose Day
Red Nose Day USA is a fundraising campaign run by the non-profit organization Comic Relief USA, also known as Comic Relief Inc., a registered U.S. 501(c)(3) public charity. Red Nose Day started in the U.K., built on the foundation that the power of entertainment can drive positive change, and has raised over $1 billion since the campaign’s founding in 1988.
Red Nose Day launched in the U.S. in 2015 with a mission to end child poverty, and has raised nearly $150 million to date. Money raised supports programs that ensure children in need are safe, healthy and educated, both in America and around the world. Red Nose Day has received generous support from millions of Americans, hundreds of celebrities and many outstanding partners, including Walgreens, NBC, Mars, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. For more information about Red Nose Day USA and its impact, visit www.rednoseday.org. Follow @RedNoseDayUSA on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
About NBCUniversal
NBC Entertainment develops and schedules the network’s primetime, late night and daytime programming. NBC’s quality programs and balanced lineup have earned the network critical acclaim, numerous awards and ratings success. NBC has won four of the last five September-May seasons in the 18-49 demo and has finished #1 in the 18-49 race from September-September for the last five years in a row. NBC also claimed the September-September crown for 2017-18 in total viewers, marking its first win by that measure in 16 years.
NBC has earned more Emmy Awards than any network in television history.
About Walgreens
Walgreens (walgreens.com), one of the nation's largest drugstore chains, is included in the Retail Pharmacy USA Division of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (NASDAQ: WBA), the first global pharmacy-led, health and wellbeing enterprise. Approximately 8 million customers interact with Walgreens in stores and online each day, using the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice. As of June 28, 2018, Walgreens operates approximately 9,800 drugstores with a presence in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, along with its omnichannel business, Walgreens.com. Approximately 400 Walgreens stores offer Healthcare Clinic or other provider retail clinic services.
About Mars Inc.
Mars is a family-owned business with more than a century of history making diverse products and offering services for people and the pets people love. With over $35 billion in sales, the company is a global business that produces some of the world’s best-loved brands: M&M’s®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, MILKY WAY®, DOVE®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, EXTRA®, ORBIT®, 5™, SKITTLES®, UNCLE BEN’S® and COCOAVIA®. Mars also provides veterinary health services that include BANFIELD® Pet Hospitals, Blue Pearl®, VCA® and Pet Partners™. Headquartered in McLean, VA, Mars operates in more than 80 countries. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire its more than 115,000 Associates to create value for all its partners and deliver growth they are proud of every day.
About The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people's health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people—especially those with the fewest resources—have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Sue Desmond-Hellmann and Co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.
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