News Release

Leading Health Organizations Launch Videos on World Water Crisis

Provocative Video Series Calls for Increased Global Access to Safe Water

WASHINGTON, DC (March 20, 2009) — A coalition of leading international health organizations have joined together with GOOD to launch a cutting-edge video series aimed to mobilize broad grassroots support on the global problems of access to clean water. The series launch coincides with World Water Day on March 22.

With edgy content and a compelling call to action, the videos are designed to raise public attention on the grave risks people in developing countries face with improper access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation. Diarrhea, directly caused by these factors, is the second leading cause of child death in the world today. However, a 2007 study found that only one in four college-educated American adults were able to identify it as a major developing world killer.

The videos were produced by GOOD, the integrated media company for people who want to live well and do good. The videos weave the prevalence of diarrhea and unclean water into iconic moments in film and television, bringing the international crisis into popular culture. In one video, for example, kids are excitedly sliding down the chute of the popular kids toy, Crocodile Mile, only to splash into a big pool of sludgy, contaminated water. The alarming images in each video are followed by messages encouraging viewers to visit www.think.mtv.com/groups/worldwater to learn more about the water crisis and how they can help. 

GOOD will also produce a special video from its award-winning Transparency series that presents startling facts about the world water crisis through attention-grabbing animation, such as 443 million school days are lost each year due to water-related infections and illness.

Among the organizations driving the effort to promote water sanitation through this video series are PSI, the American Chemistry Council and Procter & Gamble Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program.

“Unfortunately in the developing world, a child dies every twenty seconds from lack of safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene. These are needless deaths as there are simple and inexpensive solutions available now,” said Megan Wilson, child survival program manager with PSI. “One solution to help ensure that each sip of water is safe to drink, is to promote simple, inexpensive methods to treat and safely store water in individual households. These can be adopted quickly in emergency situations and for sustained use, making an immediate difference on the lives of those without access to safe, piped water.”

“Chemistry is essential to safe drinking water, from disinfection to delivery,” said Robert Simon, Managing Director of ACC’s Chlorine Chemistry Division. “We are pleased to join in this partnership to highlight the importance of safe water here in the U.S. and around the globe.”

“We are thrilled to work with these organizations to produce a provocative series of videos which will hopefully stimulate thought and action related to water,” commented Craig Shapiro, President, GOOD.

To learn more about this effort and World Water Day, please visit www.think.mtv.com/groups/worldwater. The videos are available on www.good.is and on GOOD’s and partner organization Facebook and YouTube sites.

About GOOD
GOOD is an integrated media company for people who want to live well and do good. Unlike other media, GOOD is an editorially-led, member-driven community that provides content and experiences that blend entertainment and relevance. Among the fastest growing media brands on the market, its portfolio currently includes GOOD magazine, live events, short form video, and a website (http://www.good.is). Launched in September 2006, GOOD has received numerous awards and widespread praise for its groundbreaking aesthetic and unique voice that reflects the cultural shift among people who want to move the world forward and enjoy themselves in the process.  Since its inception, GOOD has achieved commercial success and catalyzed social impact. Through its innovative Choose GOOD campaign, the company already has directed over $1,000,000 in subscription revenue to a diverse roster of leading nonprofit organizations around the world.  See more at www.good.is.

About PSI
PSI is an international nonprofit organization operating in more than 65 countries. With programs in malaria, reproductive health, child survival and HIV, PSI provides products, services and promotes healthy behaviors that enable people in the poorest communities to lead healthier lives. www.psi.org.