Red Nose Day is taking off in the U.S.
The live benefit, which has been using comedy to raise money for children living in poverty in the U.K. since 1988, is making its American debut on May 21 on NBC. Many of Hollywood’s biggest stars — from Julia Roberts to Will Ferrell to Jennifer Aniston — will come together for the special.
The night will feature comedy videos produced by Funny Or Die, musical performances and more than 65 celebrities, including Julianne Moore, Jack Black, Coldplay, Neil Patrick Harris, Reese Witherspoon, Jodie Foster, John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, Michelle Rodriguez, and Gwyneth Paltrow, along with John Legend and The Voice coaches Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Christina Aguilera and Pharrell Williams.
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Many media outlets have donated media space — from print and digital space to airtime for spots — to help promote the live three-hour event. Outfront Media has led the charge, donating 3-D billboards sporting giant red noses in several key cities across the nation. They also donated space on buses, in subways, on street furniture and via digital bulletins and posters. In total, the value of media donated was north of $10 million, with more than 30 partners helping with the fundraising special.
Other media supporters include Conde Nast, iHeartMedia, Time Inc., Amazon, AMI, AOL, Bon Appétit, Closer Weekly, Deadline/TV Line, Details Magazine, DIRECTV, DISH, GQ Magazine, GumGum, The Hollywood Reporter, In Touch Weekly, Life & Style Weekly, National CineMedia (NCM), The New Yorker, Opera Mediaworks and Pandora, along with Rolling Stone, Rovi, Specific Media, Spotify, Tremor Video, TubeMogul, TV Guide, TV Guide Magazine, Videology and Yume.
The benefit event will help 12 charity organizations lift children and young people out of poverty around the world. The charity partners are: Boys & Girls Clubs of America, charity: water, Children’s Health Fund, Feeding America, Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, the Global Fund, LIFT, National Council of La Raza, National Urban League, Oxfam America, Save the Children and United Way.
