WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Washington, Hollywood and music elite were on hand Friday night at The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner, Virginia for the 2008 "Power of Music" YouthAIDS Gala. Global Ambassador Ashley Judd hosted the star-studded affair, which raised more than $1.2 million in the fight against the global HIV/AIDS pandemic. The event was presented by Salamander Hospitality, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., Viacom and MTV Networks. Qorvis Communications provided strategic planning and public relations support, as it has for the last four years. With Sharon Osbourne as Mistress of Ceremonies, the gala honored well known music activist Bob Geldof KBE, AIDS activist and Grammy Award-winning musician Annie Lennox and Judy McGrath, Chairman and CEO of MTV Networks.
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"Qorvis is thrilled with the success of this year's YouthAIDS gala, and we're honored to be a part of this very worthy cause, which educates and protects so many young people around the world," said Qorvis Managing Partner Michael Petruzzello.
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The 2008 YouthAIDS' gala theme, "The Power of Music," celebrated the enormous influence of music in driving social change. Many YouthAIDS programs focus on music and the powerful role it plays in educating populations, breaking down cultural barriers, and reinforcing behavior change.
"Put simply, the statistics on HIV/AIDS are staggering. The music industry has led the way in raising awareness of global poverty, disease, and has helped to reduce the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS," said Kate Roberts. "We were especially pleased to be joined at the gala by many who embrace YouthAIDS' mission of using universal vehicles like music to halt the spread of the HIV/AIDS pandemic."
Additional gala highlights included a performance by the Grammy-winning, singer-songwriter John Mellencamp and special guests such as Anna Kournikova, Ms. Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza, British comedian and The Daily Show writer/correspondent John Oliver, and graffiti artist/fashion designer Claw Money. A live auction was also held featuring donated items including Cartier diamond earrings valued at $25,000, several packages from The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. including private airplane trips, golfing with U.S. Open Champions, helicopter and hot-air balloon rides, and spa treatments at several luxury properties around the world. The highest bid of the evening was $19,000 for a "modern Arabic adventure" which included a luxurious 6-night stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai, a desert safari and sightseeing by helicopter and hot-air balloon.
About Qorvis Communications
Qorvis Communications is one of the nation's largest independent communications firms. Formed in August 2000, Qorvis has offices in Washington, DC, and McLean, VA, and provides its clients with expertise in the areas of advertising, public and media relations, marketing communications, Internet campaigns, investor and financial relations, public affairs, grassroots and research and opinion surveys. For more of the interactive and advertising work performed by the Qorvis team, please visit Qorvis.com/portfolio.
About YouthAIDS
YouthAIDS, an education and prevention initiative of PSI, uses media, pop culture, music, theatre and sport to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS and reach 600 million young people in more than 60 countries with life-saving messages, products, services and care. www.youthaids.org.
SOURCE Qorvis Communications
