Contact: Miles Ahead Entertainment – (201) 722-1500
Sheila Eldridge/Tracy Anderson [email protected]/[email protected]
Contact: Hip-Hop Summit Action Network – (212) 431-5227
Jody L. Miller/Ellen Zoe Golden
[email protected]/[email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ABC RADIO NETWORKS’ “DOUG BANKS MORNING SHOW,” RUSSELL SIMMONS AND HIP-HOP SUMMIT ACTION NETWORK LAUNCH “ONE MIND. ONE VOTE.” CAMPAIGN LIVE FROM TIMES SQUARE ON MONDAY, JANUARY 19 –

Top Rated Urban Morning Show to Become Exclusive National Radio Media Partner for Hip-Hop Summit Action Network Voter Registration Initiative – January 7, 2003 (New York, NY) – ABC Radio Networks’ “Doug Banks Morning Show,” Russell Simmons and Hip-Hop Summit Action Network announced today that they will launch the “One Mind. One Vote.” campaign live from ABC’s “Good Morning America” studio at Times Square on Monday, January 19. This unprecedented event, held in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, brings together two of the most legendary voices in the urban community, as both Doug Banks and Russell Simmons have empowered and engaged young minds for more than two decades. The media giants will be joined by today’s hottest Hip-Hop artists for a special broadcast session on the upcoming presidential election and the importance of exercising one’s right to vote. The “One Mind. One Vote.” campaign was developed in support of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Networks Hip-Hop Team Vote’s mission to register 20 million voters in five years. “The Doug Banks Morning Show,” syndicated nationally through ABC Radio Networks, reaches 2 million listeners daily and will serve as the exclusive national radio media partner for the most aggressive long-range voter initiative in American history. Highlights of the campaign include weekly features on potential presidential candidates as well as informative segments and on-air discussions regarding issues relevant to urban youth. “Russell defines Hip-Hop,” Banks explains. “This is why it is truly an honor to join forces with the HSAN in an effort to enlighten and inspire young voters to participate in the democratic process.” “‘The Doug Banks Show’ is the perfect vehicle to help drive our message home to hip-hop youth,” says Russell Simmons. “Doug Banks’ ability to affect change within the urban community is a perfect example of how one voice can mobilize millions more.”

In addition to promoting the campaign on air, the DBMS will partner with HSAN to create voter registration booths during the 2004 Doug Banks Jam Session concert tour. These hugely popular listener appreciation concerts will take place after Hip-Hop Summits with local politicians, community leaders and celebrities in each of the tour markets. DBMS affiliates from coast to coast are committed to motivating young voters through Election Day and beyond. By offering free admission to “One Mind. One Vote.” events with proof of voter registration, stations hope to encourage actual participation at the polls in cities where the turnout of African-American voters has been historically low. Select cities will also set up caravans to transport voters to and from polls in an effort to further extend the message.

Founded in 2001, the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) is dedicated to harnessing the cultural relevance of Hip-Hop music to serve as a catalyst for education advocacy and other societal concerns fundamental to the well-being of at-risk youth throughout the United States. HSAN Register Initiative, Hip-Hop Team Vote, is registering 4 million youth per year until 2008. Led by Dr. Benjamin Chavis and Russell Simmons, HSAN has fast become one of the most respected organizations in the Hip-Hop community through the support of superstars such as P.Diddy, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Damon Dash, LL Cool J, Nas, Busta Rhymes, 50 Cent, Alicia Keys, Redman, Doug E. Fresh, Master P, Lil Romeo, Queen Latifah, Run DMC, Ja Rule, Ashanti, Ludacris, Wyclef, KRS-One, Kanye West, Ice Cube.

ABC Radio Networks has more than 4,600 affiliate radio stations reaching 129 million persons age 12 and older each week. In addition to ABC News Radio, the programs include Paul Harvey News and Comment and the Rest of the Story, the Sam Donaldson Show, Moneytalk with Bob Brinker, the Larry Elder Show, the Tom Joyner Morning Show, the Sean Hannity Show, the Mitch Albom Show, the Doug Banks Morning Show and the American Country Countdown with Bob Kingsley. Other ABC broadcast services include ESPN Radio, ABC Sports Radio, Radio Disney, syndicated music and talk programs, format specific production libraries and 12 ABC Radio 24-hour music formats.