Hallmark Channel to Launch 'Hallmark's Pet Project' Campaign

Hallmark Channel, a division of Crown Media Family Networks, announced today the launch of "Hallmark Channel's Pet Project", a cross-company campaign designed to celebrate the joy and enrichment pets bring to our lives, while shining a spotlight on this country's epidemic of pet homelessness and encouraging the public to adopt.

"Hallmark Channel's Pet Project" will include public service announcements, programming elements, social media engagement, and a comprehensive "Hallmark Channel's Pet Project" microsite, featuring videos, photos, pet care tips, pet-finder resources, and much more. The microsite, which can be found at http://www.hallmarkchannel.com/petproject launches today.

In addition, as part of the campaign, Hallmark Channel has formed strategic partnerships with such national organizations as PetSmart Charities(R), North America's largest funder of companion animal-welfare efforts, and American Humane Association, which has advocated for the safety and wellness of animals since 1877. In forging these key relationships, Hallmark Channel will raise the visibility of and give a voice to the messages and important work of its partner organizations, while leveraging their vast experience, resources, and knowledge for "Hallmark Channel's Pet Project".

"Pets bring so much joy and enrichment to our lives and 'Hallmark Channel's Pet Project' is designed to honor this incredible human-animal bond," says Bill Abbott, President and CEO, Crown Media Family Networks. "We also hope the campaign will educate and mobilize our audience around the issue of pet homelessness and help find homes for some of the thousands of wonderful animals waiting to bring their gifts and unconditional love to a family of their own."

Throughout the year, Hallmark Channel will engage its audience and keep the campaign's messaging and mission top-of-mind on its social media platforms and the "Hallmark Channel's Pet Project" microsite (located on www.hallmarkchannel.com), as well as through pet-themed programming consisting of pet segments on the channel's original daytime lifestyle shows "Home & Family" and "Marie!"; original movies like "Puppy Love"; and specials including, among others, this Fall's 2nd annual "American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards", produced in partnership with American Humane Association. "Hero Dog Awards" honors eight remarkable dogs - selected by the public through an online contest - who have made extraordinary and even life-saving contributions to the lives of their owners. Specially produced public service announcements, voiced by belovEd Hallmark Channel talent, encouraging people to find their next pet through adoption is weaved throughout the special, reinforcing all "Hallmark Channel's Pet Project" programming and messaging.