NAAAPI's Press Release

The National Association of African Americans for Positive Imagery (NAAAPI) has learned that NBC has reversed its decision to air hard liquor ads. NAAAPI is part of the national campaign called "Stop Liquor Ads on NBC." The campaign formed in January 2002 after learning that NBC had signed a multimillion dollar advertising contract with Guinness UDV, a U.S. subsidiary of Diageo, to air ads. The campaign consists of other health advocacy groups such as the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), American Medical Association (AMA), National Black Alcoholism and Addiction Council, Inc., (NBAAC), Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE), Pennsylvania Mothers Against Drunk Driving (PA-MADD), American Public Health Association (APHA), and Pennsylvanians Against Underage Drinking (PAUD).

Members of the campaign had met with several NBC affiliates across the country to encourage NBC to reverse its 50 year old self-imposed ban to carry liquor ads. Community organizations held rallies at NBC affiliates in Philadelphia, PA and Washington, DC to emphasis their concern for the NBC decision to air hard liquor ads.

"We are pleased that NBC will no longer air hard liquor ads," said Reverend Jesse W. Brown, Jr. Executive Director of the National Association of African Americans for Positive Imagery. "We are glad they have chosen to be part of the health solution in America instead of a contributor of the health problems in America," Rev. Brown said.