BETTE MIDLER JOINS NBC UNIVERSAL TALENT AND VOLUNTEERS FOR TREE PLANTING IN EAST HARLEM ON EARTH DAY
NBCU Launches a "Green Screens" Recycling Drive in Rockefeller Plaza
"NBC Experience Store" Showcases an Artist's Display Constructed From Junk Mail - Shoppers Can Register For Service To Eliminate Unwanted Mail
NEW YORK - April 21, 2008 - In celebration of Earth Day, NBC Universal is stepping up its "Green" community outreach throughout the week of April 21st, as part of its ongoing "Green Is Universal" initiative. Bette Midler, founder of the New York Restoration Project (NYRP), will kick off Earth Day, joining hundreds of NBCU volunteers for a tree planting in East Harlem, New York on Tuesday, April 22nd. They will also joined by talent from "Saturday Night Live," "Lipstick Jungle," Bravo's "Real Housewives of New York City" and WNBC. The project is part of "MillionTreesNYC," a program launched by NYRP and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, which seeks to plant and care for one million trees throughout New York City's five boroughs by 2017.
A similar event will take place at Griffith Park in Los Angeles, where LA City Councilmember Tom LaBonge will join Ron Meyer, President and Chief Operating Officer of Universal Studios, and NBCU Volunteers. Additional NBCU "Green" volunteer events in connection with Earth Day will take place in New Jersey, Miami, Orlando, Dallas and Washington, DC.
"More than 400 employees on both coasts participated in green volunteer activities during our last 'Green Week' in November, and we have had a tremendous response to the upcoming 'Earth Week' events as well. This speaks volumes about our employee commitment to 'Green is Universal,' and I am proud that we are making a difference in our communities," said Lauren Zalaznick, Chair of NBC Universal's Green Council.
In addition, NBC Universal has partnered with the Environmental Media Association, HP and Staples in a "Green Screens" initiative, a recycling drive for used electronics. Consumers are invited to drop off their unwanted electronics - cell phones, blackberries, cameras, PC's, notebooks etc.-- in recycle bins outside the "TODAY" studios in Rockefeller Plaza. Additional free drop-off locations will be available at 76 Staples stores throughout the five boroughs and Long Island. A portion of the donated cell phones will be used to create a spectacular art rendering, designed by Kevin O'Callaghan, Chairman of New York City's School of Visual Arts 3D Department, and his students. The artwork will be constructed and displayed in the "TODAY" Plaza throughout the week of April 21st.
Also during the week of April 21st, the "NBC Experience Store" windows will feature an art installation and decoupage of junk mail commissioned by GreenDimes, a company committed to reducing the amount of postal junk mail sent to American mailboxes. This creative design speaks to the magnitude of junk mail we receive, and the necessity to save trees. A special GreenDimes kiosk will be in the store throughout the week, where consumers can register to eliminate junk mail. A portion of the store's proceeds from Earth Day will be donated to MillionTreesNYC.
NBC Universal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric and 20% owned by Vivendi.
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