iHeartMedia and Fors Marsh Group have announced the launch of the National Opioid Action Coalition, an initiative focused on reducing stigma as a barrier to addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery. Leveraging the marketing power and behavior change expertise of WPP, iHeartMedia and FMG, NOAC will help support local, state, and federal opioid misuse and addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts by elevating the conversation around stigma. NOAC will hold a debut event during the annual New York City Advertising Week on October 3 which will be moderated by Bobby Bones.
“WPP’s operating companies have been involved in battling the opioid crisis on an ad hoc basis for some time,” said WPP CEO Mark Read. “NOAC formalizes our efforts and demonstrates our commitment to help spark a national conversation about the stigma of opioid addiction and inspire more companies to bring the weight of their brands to help combat one of the greatest public health epidemics in the US.”
“This is an epidemic that is impacting families and individuals across America, and we want to harness our national reach to expand awareness, prevention, treatment and recovery efforts in communities across the country – and highlight local, state and federal government resources that are available to those fighting against this epidemic,” said Bob Pittman, Chairman and CEO, iHeartMedia.
“The opioid epidemic in the United States is one of the worst public health crises of our lifetime. Yet, despite record-breaking addiction and fatal overdose rates, only one in 10 Americans with a substance abuse disorder received treatment last year,” said Dr. Sean Marsh, CEO, FMG. “As a founding member of NOAC, FMG is committed to reducing stigma and will apply its expertise in behavior change and communication research to guide the development of effective, resonant messaging,” he said.
