Northeastern University’s Center for the Study of Sport in Society “Leaders Act” Campaign to Feature Patriot Player, Benjamin Watson

Waltham, MA - May 17, 2007 – In the next phase of the Sport in Society’s “Leaders Act” campaign, Benjamin Watson will be the spokesperson featured in print, broadcast, transit and posters for distribution in high schools and colleges. Manasian, Inc first launched the campaign this past Fall with Red Sox player, Gabe Kapler.

The high profile advertising campaign focuses on the Center’s Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) Program, which is a program supported and endorsed by the New England Patriots who provide the program for their players.

The MVP program is a gender violence prevention and education program and is the first large scale attempt to enlist high school, collegiate and professional athletes in the effort to prevent all forms of men’s violence against women.

Watson will be in Print to run in Sports Illustrated, Metro Boston, Boston Magazine to name a few. Watson is also featured in a radio campaign and transit posters..

“Benjamin Watson is completely committed to the issue of violence against women and donated a tremendous amount of his time in developing the campaign. We were really lucky to have him. Watson is, himself, a “graduate” of the MVP Program offered to all New England Patriots players.

When athletes take a stand on violence against women, other students and people listen. The focus of the campaign is to educate young men to the effect they have if they’re willing to speak up and lead,” states Jean Manasian, President of Manasian.

The call to action for the campaign is www.leadersact.org which drives to a microsite providing more information on Sport and Society and the MVP program.

“With this campaign we hope to send a strong message to our youth to speak up against domestic violence. Benjamin Watson and the New England Patriots have shown their commitment to this important issue through there participation in this campaign," Director of the Center for the Study of Sport in Society Peter Roby. "We feel the simple message developed between our team and Manasian will resonate with youth and help create change."

About Manasian, Inc.
Manasian is an integrated marketing communications agency committed to creating exciting, measurable and motivating solutions for our clients. Manasian is located at 282 Moody Street, Waltham, MAA 02453, 781-547-7100. For more information visit us at www.manasian.com

About the Center for the Study of Sport in Society
The Center for the Study of Sport in Society at Northeastern University is one of the world’s leading social justice organizations that use sport to create social change both nationally and internationally. Through research, education and advocacy the center promotes physical activity, health, violence prevention, and diversity among young people and college and professional athletes. Sport and Society’s innovative programs
are all staffed by former college or professional athletes and have been awarded America’s most successful violence prevention program by Lou Harris, the F. Drucker Award as the most innovative non-profit program in the social sector, and most recently was recognized by the Boston Red Sox for its dedication and service to the community.