June 06, 2008
Angela Lansbury PSA Hits the Big Screens
By Gary Wosk, Staff Writer They flocked to theaters in May to see the premiere of the latest Indiana Jones film and just before the adventure hero thrilled audiences once again, fans of the box-office smash received a quick course on Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
Prior to “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” movie-goers in Southeast and Atlantic states were shown The ALS Association’s new public service announcement starring Angela Lansbury. In the 30 second PSA, which was shown on 160 screens over the Memorial Day weekend, Lansbury discusses the need to support research as part of her “Cure ALS” campaign.
The movie theater screenings of the PSA were made possible by the Florida Chapter of The ALS Association and Clarke Mazza, the president and CEO of Pot O’Gold Productions, Inc., which produces and sells advertising that appears on movie theater screens. Mazza, whose mother is fighting ALS and was touched by the PSA, contacted the chapter, offered to lend a hand and requested a copy of the PSA.
“My mom has ALS and it is killing me watching her lose control ever so slightly each time I see her,” Mazza said.
Pot O’ Gold Productions reaches about 1 to 1.5 million people each month in 20 markets. Even though Mazza says his company does not have major market penetration, the continued screening of the PSA has definitely increased awareness of ALS.
“We thank Angela Lansbury for her contribution to this quality production. And by her popularity, we are able to further broadcast awareness of ALS to a new audience of movie watchers,” said Dara Alexander, the president of the Florida Chapter. “Our chapter also is extremely grateful for Mazza’s support. “
The PSA will be shown in theatres throughout the summer movie season in Florida, Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Arkansas, New England and Louisiana.
Monique Salazar of the Florida Chapter of The ALS Association contributed to this story.
