The call came in like any other.
An agency that creates and places ads in Times Square was interested in talking to us about advertising in Times Square.
As a non-profit organization, we view every dollar as a donor dollar. We are diligent stewards of what has been entrusted to us to restore the lives of others. Advertising in Times Square didn’t quite fit our advertising budget or our promise to our donors.
Faster than we could make a few cursory remarks, thank them for calling, and get back to our work- they mentioned one of our favorite words—donated. Their client had reserved—and paid for—three months of advertising on the CBS “Super Screen” in Times Square. Unfortunately for the client, the product they were going to advertise was still in development and wouldn’t be ready for the start date of the ad.
That’s when opportunity came knocking on our door.
The ad agent had an advertising spot that was already paid for but nothing to advertise. She cared about the issue of sex trafficking and wanted to use this opportunity to donate the airtime to an organization that would bring about greater awareness of the issue. And that’s the story of how Shared Hope ended up with a 15-second commercial in the center of Times Square for the next three months!
Our ad is playing on the CBS “Super Screen” at 42nd St. between 7th and 8th Ave in the heart of the Times Square Plaza. 1.5 million people pass through Times Square daily and will be exposed to the issue of sex trafficking.
About the Times Square Sex Trafficking Ad
The ad depicts a “normal” American girl. She was cute. A good student. An athlete. A target of a human trafficker. Brianna was targeted to become a product in the commercial sex industry. Men she knew lured her with warmth, generosity, promises and love. Soon she was tricked into working in a strip club. Right before Brianna plummeted into the deepest terror and torture of sex trafficking, she was rescued. Frantic parents, a knowledgeable police officer and Linda Smith, Shared Hope’s president and founder, created a safety net that allowed Brianna to be rescued. She allows her picture and story to be used for ads such as this so YOU will be alert and aware of the dangers that lurk, trapping unsuspecting youth into the hell of sex slavery.
We need YOU to stand with us! Every woman and child is not fortunate enough to so narrowly escape the terrifying grasp of sexual slavery. Please take a minute to share this video with your friends and family to prevent the loss of another innocent life to the illicit sex industry.
