Elton John Co-Sponsoring AIDS Ads for MTV, VH1

Cable networks MTV and VH1 and the Elton John AIDS Foundation launched a new public service campaign on World AIDS Day aimed at drawing attention to the United States' rising rates of HIV infection. The ads proclaim that "AIDS Ain't Over" and that "1 in 5" gay men in the United States is HIV-positive. One ad features an African man in Africa who asks viewers if they are aware that the 1-in-5 statistic applies to the United States. Another ad shows a white man seated at a grand piano, following by a hammer nailing down every fifth piano key. Tom Coates, director of the University of California at San Francisco AIDS Research Institute, said the campaign is important for two reasons. "No. 1, because it's being unveiled by Elton John and his foundation. It's important that community leaders maintain their commitment to fighting against HIV/AIDS. No. 2, because it focuses on gay men, a group in which we're seeing a rise in new infections and who also represent a substantial part of existing infections." Future ads by the foundation will focus on women and children with HIV. The networks are donating the airtime for the ads.

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