THE GREAT AMERICAN SMOKESCREAM WEBSITE
BACKGROUNDER
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Elizabeth Bridgers
(404)329-7544
Joann Schellenbach
(212)382-2169
The American Cancer Society has launched a site on the World Wide Web to communicate and interact with teens, teachers and parents about The Great American SmokeScream, a new promotion celebrated as part of the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout. The SmokeScream is a national in-school program -- being kicked off this year -- targeted at teens. The objective of the website is to involve kids in a range of positive online activities which serve to spread the anti-smoking message: "You're Too Smart to Start." The site is located at http://www.cancer.org where users just click on the "SmokeScream" button on the American Cancer Society's home page.
Timing
The site will be launched November 1, 1995, to begin to generate interest and excitement for the giant simultaneous scream on November 16 at 2:00 PM, EST. The SmokeScream website will remain online after the Great American Smokeout, as part of the American Cancer Society's site (http://www.cancer.org).
Home Page
The first thing you see when you visit the home page is Ike, the SmokeScream spokesperson. Ike tells "screamers" about the big SmokeScream event on November 16 as part of the American Cancer Society's annual Great American Smokeout. He also invites them to click on any one of the options -- marked by a string of seven icons and funky buttons -- to participate in the "wild and wacky" website. First stop: The interactive game of "Clungs!"
"Clungs" Game
The game "Clungs", short for "clean lungs," features Lisa and Larry, two teen smokers who lungs are, well, less than clean. In fact, they're black. Through a series of questions and answers, teens can learn about the benefits of staying smoke-free and help Lisa and Larry clean their lungs at the same time. Prizes await some lucky teens who register their names after playing. Winners chosen at random can receive a gift certificate for CDs and cool mouse pads. Whether you want to win big or just witness the transformation of Lisa and Larry as their bronchial build-up is reversed (through the wonders of digital technology), the game is brief, fun and worth playing.
"Dear Ikeman" Message Posting
In an effort to fully utilize the interactivity of the InterNet, the American Cancer Society has included a "Dear Ikeman" button linked to a message posting center. This is where teens encounter their friend Ike, who can answer their questions about smoking issues that matter most to them. Ike will respond to messages daily. Lucky kids will see their name and question on the website when the answer is delivered. Forget about getting your name in the newspaper -- this is instant celebrity!
Ike's Top Ten Reasons Not to Smoke
Some will make you smile, others will strike a chord -- and all of them are true. If given the chance, Ikeman could come up with a million reasons not to smoke, but he likes the sound of "Top Ten." Has a certain ring to it.
Cool Stuff
The next button on the interface leads the user to some downloadable items, including a pledge to stay smoke-free, a screaming computer screen-starter featuring (you guessed it) Ike, audio files of screams from Ike and a few of his friends, and a :30 second PSA for the American Cancer Society produced by MTV.
Screaming Celebrity Heads
Click here to hear hottest links to the hippest sites for teens. They fall under broad categories, including Sports, Brainfood, Entertainment, Teen Net, E-zines, Potpourri, Science, Virtual Vacation and Fashion. There's a lot out there on the InterNet for this audience to explore -- as this site demonstrates -- which is great for kids who'd rather surf than smoke.
Site Developers
This website was conceived and designed by SicolaMartin, a progressive marketing and advertising agency in Austin, Texas. The agency created the ground-breaking Great American SmokeScream as a pilot program for the Texas division of the American Cancer Society in 1994.
For More Information
The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based volunteer health organization of over two million Americans dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and services. For further information about the American Cancer Society, please call 1-800-ACS-2345.
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