Yesterday, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, wife Cookie Johnson, Abbott and the Magic Johnson Foundation launched a public service announcement campaign as part of the “I Stand With Magic Program” designed to end HIV/AIDS in the black community. The program has recruited the talents of Academy Award-nominated director, Spike Lee and his agency, Spike DDB for the PSA’s which will premiere nationally this summer. The ads which are targeted toward African-American and other minority communities where new HIV infections are prevalent.

Since announcing he was infected and subsequently retiring from professional basketball, Magic Johnson has been committed to ending the spread of HIV/AIDS especially in the black community where in 2005, about half of the people diagnosed in the United States were among African Americans. Such spread is extremely disproportionate as we only represent about 13% of the population.

“We need real outcomes, not just outputs. I encourage leaders in the black community to take action, get talking and take a stand in their neighborhoods,” said Lee. “This PSA was developed to educate people about this disease. This campaign keeps pounding the message home. More than 80,000 people have received information about the campaign through istandwithmagic.com, and more than 20,000 HIV tests have beenconducted as a result of Abbott and the Magic Johnson Foundation’s efforts to help raise awareness of this public health issue. Spike DDB is proud to be a part of it.”

The first PSA entitled, “Stand,” encouraging African-Americans to get educated, get tested and to seek treatment for HIV. The second PSA, titled “Talk” encourages women to protect themselves and talk to their partners about safe sex and HIV. The public service announcement campaign launches in advance of National HIV Testing Day on June 27, 2008.