Dear PSA Director,
Video games are a great source of entertainment for the entire family, but it's important that parents be well informed about the type of content they may contain. This is why we are providing you with the following radio PSA campaign which reminds parents to always check the ESRB rating while informing them of a new supplementary source of information - rating summaries. (Scripts are provided below.)
The non-profit Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) assigns age ratings and content descriptors to virtually every computer and video game sold in the United States. We do this to provide parents with information about game content and age appropriateness so they can make informed decisions about which games they deem suitable for their family.
And now, in addition to the ratings and content descriptors, the ESRB is providing consumers with rating summaries which provide greater detail about the content and overall context that factored into a game's rating. Although rating summaries don't appear on game packages, they are conveniently accessible on ESRB's website as well as via a free iPhone game rating search app (available in the iTunes library or at www.esrb.org).
To raise parental awareness of rating summaries, where they can be found and why they are important, we have produced three public service radio announcements (two 30- and one 15-second spots).
We encourage you to air these spots in regular rotation throughout the year. However, because the message is so relevant and timely, we ask that you do what you can to start running these spots immediately and with increased frequency during this holiday season when parents are most likely to be out shopping for games for their children. By using the video game rating system along with the new rating summaries from ESRB, parents can make truly informed choices for their family.
Thank you in advance for your support. We are certain that your participation will make a positive impact in the lives of your listening audience.
Sincerely,
Patricia Vance
President
ESRB 2009 National PSA Campaign - "Knowledge" - ENGLISH
:15 Radio
Mom: I always check the rating and content descriptors before buying a video game. But sometimes I want more detail about a game's content. That's why I love these new rating summaries.
Anncr: For more information, go to ESRB dot org _________________________________________________________________________
ESRB 2009 National PSA Campaign - "Knowledge" - ENGLISH
:30 Radio
Mom: With video games, I'm often choosing between what my kids want, and what I hink is best for them.
Son: Hey mom, how about this one?
Mom: Hmm, rated T for Teen with Violence and Suggestive Themes. Let me check the rating summary: "frenetic combat,cries of pain, female warlords expose cleavage?"
Son: I'll get another game.
Mom: The rating summaries are free. Use them and you'll be armed with the world's most powerful weapon- knowledge.
Anncr: For more information go to ESRB dot org.
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ESRB 2009 National PSA Campaign - "Rating Summary" - ENGLISH
:30 Radio
Mom: With video games, I always check the rating and content descriptors on the package. But there are times when I'd like more detail about what's in the game. That's why I love these new rating summaries. They provide an in-depth description of a game's content to help me decide if it's ok for my kids to play.
Rating summaries are free and available on my smart phone or at home online.
Anncr: For more information about video game ratings and rating summaries, go to ESRB dot org.
