• by Erik Sass , Staff Writer @eriksass1, August 26, 2011

Clear Channel Communications has partnered with the National September 11 Memorial & Museum organization to raise awareness (and funds) for the memorial with a series of public service announcements which will run on its "Spectacolor SpecHD" digital billboard in Times Square, as well as on static and digital display surfaces around New York City and the metropolitan area. Clear Channel Outdoor will be joined by CBS Outdoor, Cemusa, Titan, and Van Wagner for the outdoor portion of the campaign.

Although a number of different assets are being devoted to the campaign, the eye-catching Times Square digital billboard will be the visual centerpiece. From its perch on 47th Street, the 1,800-square-foot LED sign (comparable in area to a starter home) is visible 10 blocks north and south, for a total 20-block line of sight, and reaches an estimated 560,000 visitors per day, according to Clear Channel.

In addition to asking Americans to "honor, remember, and reunite" on the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks by donating or visiting the memorial, the PSAs are intended to make people aware that only ticketholders will be admitted, hopefully heading off unnecessary confusion and possible disappointment for tourists who visit without getting tickets first (the memorial will be dedicated on September 11 and open to ticket-holders beginning September 12).

Meanwhile Clear Channel Radio is donating radio air time to the campaign, which received extensive support from the Ad Council and also includes television spots created by Spark Productions. The PSAs feature family members of 9/11 victims, as well as first responders, survivors, an electrical worker on the 9/11 Memorial site, a Lower Manhattan resident, and a flight attendant. Robert De Niro and Billy Crystal -- both members of the 9/11 Memorial board -- are also participating.