The Ad Council

The Ad Council is a non-profit agency which, since 1952, has been the leading producer of television public service announcements, often "sponsored" by specific non-profit groups and government agencies. Ad Council spots typically address such issues as public safety, personal health, and wider issues such as adoption. Their best known creations include Smokey Bear and McGruff, the dog who "takes a bite out of crime." Various advertising agencies over the years have donated their services in creating the campaign. 
===Cookie Monster===
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Over the years, many Ad Council campaigns have involved the participation of celebrities. In 1974, their "Nutrition Campaign" featured Cookie Monster, in both 30-second and 60-second versions of the same spot. The spot was scripted by Norman Stiles, with input from Louis DiJacobs of Young, Rubican and Associates.
Decades before the "Veggie Monster" controversy, Cookie Monster encourages healthy eating habits. To the astonishment of a roving reporter (off-screen voice-over), Cookie Monster explains that even he can't eat only cookies and expect to be healthy. He proceeds to dine on meat and fish, carrots and peas, fruits, and then milk. For dessert, Cookie Monster brings out a whistle, summoning a truck load of cookies. 
The ad was filmed on September 16, 1974 in Staten Island.Jim Henson's Red Book entry, 9/16/1974 – Film Public Service Nutrition Commercial with Cookie M. in Staten Is. Caroly Wilcox performed Cookie's right hand.ToughPigs — "A Conversation with Caroly Wilcox," Puppetimes, October 2019 The commercial is available for viewing at the Paley Center for Media.
Image:CookiemonsterPSA.jpg
===Car Seats===
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One spot produced and aired in the late 1990s featured Elmo, Big Bird, Maria, and Gabi.
File:Ad Council car seats Elmo.jpg
File:The_Ad_Council_car_seats_1.jpg
File:The_Ad_Council_car_seats_2.jpg
===Autism Awareness===
In July 2019, the Ad Council, in partnership with Sesame Workshop and Autism Speaks, rolled out its Autism Awareness multimedia campaign, specifically promoting the importance of early screening and diagnosis of autism. The campaign included two PSAs starring Julia. A 60 second promo features her playing with her dog Rose and her father Daniel. Another 30 second promo (with a 15 second variation) features Julia playing music with her brother Samuel and Elmo. These ads were also dubbed in Spanish.Ad Council press release, July 23, 2019Fast Company "Julia, Sesame Street's autistic muppet, has a new campaign to help teach parents about autism." by Ben Paynter, July 23, 2019.
In response to the campaign, the Autism Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) ended their partnership with Sesame Workshop. ASAN claimed materials relating to the campaign stigmatized children with autism and their families.Fast Company "Sesame Street's autistic muppet, Julia, was a huge success-why some of her developers are now cutting ties." by Ben Paynter, August 12, 2019.
==COVID-19 Vaccinations==
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In April 2021, Sesame Workshop produced a PSA with the Ad Council and COVID Collaborative promoting free COVID-19 vaccinations. The promo featured a letter U (Stephanie D'Abruzzo) singing a re-written version of "I'll Be Seeing You" and appearing superimposed over reused scenes from Sesame Street. 
In May, Gonzo and Pepe the King Prawn appeared in a PSA in collaboration with the Ad Council and COVID Collaborative to encourage COVID-19 vaccinations. 
==Mental Health==
In 2024, Sesame Workshop produced a series of PSAs starring the Sesame Street Muppets for the Ad Council's mental health campaign "Love, Your Mind," in partnership with Huntsman Mental Health Institute. 30 and 15-second edits of each spot were produced. Additionally, the 30-second variants were filmed in both horizontal and vertical aspect ratios (for social media). 
In the first spot (released in March), Elmo shares advice from his father that humming can help with big feelings. He is joined by other Muppets in humming the "Sesame Street Theme." The second spot, released in May for National Mental Awareness Month, features Elmo and friends sharing a contagious laugh.
Other featured characters in both spots include Cookie Monster, Abby Cadabby, Ernie, Bert, Big Bird, Grover, Count von Count, Oscar the Grouch, Gabrielle, Tango, the Two-Headed Monster, and Mr. Johnson.
File:Hum_-30_-_Love,_Your_Mind|(15-second version: )
File:Laugh_-30_-_Love,_Your_Mind|(15-second version: )
==Sources==
==External links==
*Official site
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Category:Public Service Announcements