UNICEF and Clear Channel set global poster challenge

The competition www.posterchallenge.com is open to creative talent in advertising agencies throughout the world, with a closing date of 18 April 2005. The winning creative will run in August 2005 and appear on Clear Channel billboard and street furniture panels, across more than 50 countries spread over five continents.

Clear Channel will give $5000 to the winning entrant plus a further donation of $5000 to UNICEF. Judges will include Sir Roger Moore, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador; and Lord Puttnam, UNICEF UK Chairman.

Sir Roger Moore, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador said, "The world's two billion children and adolescents are at the centre of the HIV/AIDS crisis. Today, more than half of all new infections strike people under the age of 25. Success in responding depends upon massively stepped up and immediate support from governments and the international community. This global ad campaign will play an important part in helping UNICEF raise worldwide awareness of this massive, growing and long-term crisis."

Roger Parry, Chief Executive Officer of Clear Channel International said, "The winner of this creative competition will see their work for UNICEF displayed on billboards and street furniture poster sites in over 50 countries worldwide, reaching audiences in towns and cities 24 hours a day. The judges will be looking for an ad that will successfully inform a global audience of UNICEF's work with HIV/AIDS and young people."

Entrants should log onto www.posterchallenge.com for full judging details, application forms and details of entry costs.

Commenting on the participation of Clear Channel Independent (Pty) Ltd, Clear Channel's joint venture partnership on the African Continent, the CEO, Barry Sayer, expressed his delight that advertising agencies in Africa will also be given the opportunity to test their creative mettle against the best in the world in the pursuit of
such a noble cause.