AIDS Foundation of Chicago Launches New AIDS Awareness Ad Campaign

The AIDS Foundation of Chicago on Tuesday launched a new HIV/AIDS public awareness campaign aimed at increasing attention to the epidemic, according to an AIDS Foundation of Chicago release. The campaign, titled "AIDS: A Tragic Trend," was developed for no charge by the Chicago Creative Partnership. The three ads feature models wearing clothing, shoes and other accessories with the word "AIDS" on the label, and the tagline "When will it go out of style?" appears on all of the ads. The aim is to "remind viewers that the AIDS crisis, like fashion, is still a current issue," according to the release. The ads are located throughout the city in bus shelters, select bus lines, entertainment establishments such as bars and in community newspapers throughout Chicago. AFC Executive Director Mark Ishaug said, "Too many people mistakenly and tragically believe that AIDS is under control and not their problem. The campaign is an effort to break that myth and encourage everyone to respond to the AIDS epidemic in our community." Shawna Delaney Ross, an account planner for the Chicago Creative Partnership, said, "Because of the growing complacency about the epidemic, we felt that the best way to renew attention to AIDS was with a bold statement. The fashion motif lures in viewers and then provides a serious, unanticipated message that we hope will catch them off guard and get them thinking" (AIDS Foundation of Chicago release, 1/20). The ads can be viewed online.

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