Domestic and sexual violence is a huge issue affecting men and predominantly women in the United States and across the world. On average, there are approximately 463,634 victims (age 12 or older) of sexual violence each year, and more than 63,000 children experience sexual abuse. Nearly 1 in 2 (44%) adult women and 1 in 4 adult men in the U.S. have experienced unwanted sexual contact in their lifetime. Over 1 in 3 women (35.6%) and 1 in 4 men (28.5%) in the US have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime. 16% of sexual assaults reported to law enforcement lead to arrest and only 8% lead to a conviction.
False reporting of sexual assault is low, with false reports accounting for 2% to 10% of all sexual assaults reported to law enforcement, the same rate as other violent crimes.
Some Key Objectives for iHeartMedia’s No More campaign:
- Raise awareness to domestic and sexual violence key facts
- Provide resources for listeners struggling with the issues
- Highlight subject matter experts including Pamela Zaballa, CEO of No More, speaking on the issue
- Integrate resources across iHeartPodcast Network
In August 2023 iHeartMedia launched a partnership with the international organization No More aimed at combating and building awareness of domestic and sexual violence. The NO MORE Foundation (NO MORE) is dedicated to ending domestic and sexual violence by increasing awareness, inspiring action, and fueling culture change. The global initiative is comprised of the largest coalition of nonprofits, corporations, government agencies, media, schools and individuals addressing domestic and sexual violence.
The multi-platform approach included two PSA campaigns, a podcast collaboration, as well as a long-form interview with the CEO of No More.
Execution
On-air media
iHeartMedia partnered with NO MORE to create PSAs educating listeners on the dire statistics of domestic and sexual violence. The PSAs aired for two weeks across iHeart’s 850 radio stations, highlighting key statistics to bring awareness to the issue and encouraging everyone to become allies. Listeners and allies do not have to be subject matter experts to help someone who’s experiencing domestic or dating violence, simply expressing concern, listening without judgment, and offering to help one find support services can make a huge impact on someone’s life.
iHeart also aired additional and PSA flight highlighting the organization fundraising events, such as their 5k Walk encouraging listeners to get involved, raise funds and build a community dedicated to fighting domestic violence.
Public affairs interviews
In March 2024, for Women’s History Month, the iHeartMedia Public Affairs Communities show invited guest speaker Pamela Zaballa, CEO of No More. Zaballa discussed the organization’s work helping those dealing with domestic violence and sexual assault. The show also lives in podcast form on iHeartRadio.
iHeartPodcast Network
The iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group includes the company’s fast-growing podcasting business – iHeartMedia is the number one podcast publisher in downloads, unique listeners, revenue and earnings – as well as its industry-leading iHeartRadio digital service, available across more than 500 platforms and 2,000 devices; the company’s digital sites, newsletters, digital services and programs; its digital advertising technology companies; and its audio industry-leading social media footprint. iHeartPodcasts is the #1 podcast publisher globally, with more hit shows in more categories than any other podcaster.
In August 2023, iHeartPodcasts and Novel released a new, true crime podcast “The Girlfriends,” in collaboration with NO MORE. The podcast tells the true story of a group of women who formed a club to put a murderous ex-boyfriend behind bars. The story illuminates the ways women unite to protect each other when systems of justice fail them. Because The Girlfriends discusses the topic of domestic violence, the podcast partnered with NO MORE, utilizing its Global Directory as a resource. The NO MORE Global Directory is a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive international directory of domestic and sexual violence resources in almost every UN-recognized country and territory in the world. The NO MORE Foundation created the site in partnership with the United Nations and the World Bank, and it is intended to serve as a global hub of information and resources for victims and their loved ones.
The campaign brought tremendous awareness across iHeartMedia’s platforms and experienced great success with the launch of The Girlfriends podcast. Key metrics:
