One Life Saved Prior to Official Campaign Launch

Contact: Marissa Gabrysch, Director of Marketing, Research and Communications, Heroic Media, 512-354-2888, Marissa@heroicmedia.org  

PITTSBURGH, Penn., June 14, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- This week Vision for Life -- Pittsburgh, in partnership with national pro-life media specialists Heroic Media, launches a campaign aimed to help African-American women facing unplanned pregnancies. One life has already been saved through this campaign as a local woman contacted the online help page last week, visited a local pregnancy center and is receiving ongoing care and assistance for her growing family. The campaign includes advertising on cable channels BET and MTV, the Internet, bus shelters and bus interiors.

While African-Americans represent about 11 percent of Pennsylvania's population, 42 percent of Pennsylvania abortions are performed on African-American women. In the ad airing on BET, "Ultimatum", a young black woman tells the viewer that, though her baby's daddy says, "It's me or the baby," there are people ready to help. The ad ends with a phone number and Web address that connect callers to Pittsburgh's Women's Choice Network, where they can access free services, including ultrasound, and receive practical support throughout their pregnancy.

Television ads will air locally on BET and MTV over 250 times during June, July and August. Coordinated ads on the Internet, as well as bus shelters and in bus interiors, will be on display through the end of September.

Vision for Life -- Pittsburgh, a local Christian 501(c)3 non-profit, ran a six-week, life-saving TV ad campaign in early 2011 which generated 1,300 contacts to a pro-life support call center. Executive Director Chris Humphrey comments, "Many women have said that they regret the abortion they had, oftentimes under pressure; I don't know any women who say they regret having their baby. Thanks to Pittsburghers' generosity, hundreds of women will become aware that abortion is not the only choice, and that there are people willing to help through to birth and beyond."

Heroic Media, an international, faith-based nonprofit organization, uses the power of media to connect women facing unexpected pregnancies with life-affirming resources and build a culture of Life. In 2011, Heroic Media television, Internet and outdoor ads generated over 146,000 responses, connecting women nationwide with life-affirming resources and information.

Marissa Gabrysch, Director of Marketing, Research and Communications for Heroic Media, remarked, "Heroic Media believes that women deserve to learn about hopeful alternatives to abortion and we are thankful for the opportunity to work alongside Vision for Life to reach women in Pittsburgh. One local woman has already responded and received compassionate assistance, and we look forward to seeing many more women served through the course of this campaign."

Please contact Chris Humphrey (412-418-6349 or chris@visionforlifepgh.org) for more information and to support the local Pittsburgh campaign, or Marissa Gabrysch (512-354-2888 or marissa@heroicmedia.org) for more information about how you can support Heroic Media's future campaigns.

Ad samples and transcripts available upon request to Marissa@heroicmedia.org.