CaribPR Wire

‘Hope for Haiti Now’ First-Ever Digital-Only Album to Debut at No. 1 in the U.S.; Album Purchased for Download More Than 171,000 Times through Sunday

 Advisory Committee Announced for ‘Hope for Haiti Now’ Fund; First Installment of Fund Set for Distribution Next Week

 NEW YORK, Jan. 27  /PRNewswire/ — “Hope for Haiti Now” today announced that it has raised more than $66 million to date for Haiti relief and recovery efforts.  The figure includes proceeds from sales of the “Hope for Haiti Now” album, a collection of live performances from last week’s global telethon that today became the first-ever digital-only album to debut at no. 1 on the Billboard 200. 

 According to Nielsen SoundScan, “Hope for Haiti Now” was purchased for download more than 171,000 times in the United States through Sunday, January 24.  The album sold an additional 60,000 copies outside of the U.S. through Sunday. “Hope for Haiti Now” also sold 300,000 individual audio performances as well as 15,000 downloads of the full two-hour video telecast through Sunday.  The album has hit no. 1 on iTunes in 18 countries, and “Hope for Haiti Now” is the first project to simultaneously reach the No. 1 spot on the U.S. iTunes album, song (”Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour)” by Jay-Z, Bono, The Edge and Rihanna), and television charts.

 All retail partners, the record labels, and the artists will donate their share of the proceeds to Haiti relief and recovery funds managed by “Hope for Haiti Now” charities.  Performances are available for purchase on iTunes, AmazonMP3, Rhapsody, and Napster.  All distribution is provided by INgrooves.

 “Hope for Haiti Now” Advisory Committee Formed

 ”Hope for Haiti Now” today also announced the formation of an Advisory Committee to oversee the distribution of funds donated through the global telethon.  The Entertainment Industry Foundation, in concert with the Committee, is advising “Hope for Haiti Now” to ensure that the donated funds are quickly and effectively put to use in Haiti.   The first installment of donated funds is due for distribution next week.  The Committee is comprised of the following recognized and distinguished leaders in philanthropy, nonprofit oversight, and Haiti relief:

• Diana Aviv, President & CEO, Independent Sector
• Brian Concannon, Jr., Esq., Director, Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti
• William Foster, Co-Partner, The Bridgespan Group
• Steven Gunderson, President & CEO, The Council on Foundations
• Nancy Lindborg, President, Mercy Corps
• Jacques-Philippe Piverger, PineBridge Investments
• Judith Rodin, Ph.D., President, The Rockefeller Foundation
• David Saltzman, Executive Director, Robin Hood Foundation

 This week, each beneficiary organization is submitting to “Hope for Haiti Now” its plans for use of funds donated through the telethon, its key partners, and its goals and measurement for success.  The Advisory Committee is meeting this week to review the information from partner charities and help “Hope for Haiti Now” begin to distribute funds next week.  The Committee will also provide recommendations on maintaining the due diligence process and continued oversight as “Hope for Haiti Now” continues to distribute funds to its partner charities.

 ”The outpouring of generosity around “Hope for Haiti Now” is truly remarkable, and I look forward to helping ensure that generosity has a direct and measureable impact on the relief and recovery efforts in Haiti,” said Steven Gunderson, President & CEO of the Council on Foundations.

 ”Our top priority is ensuring that proceeds from the telethon are distributed as quickly, responsibly and effectively as possible. We are pleased to have individuals with such extraordinary expertise on our Advisory Committee to help facilitate the process,” said Lisa Paulsen, President & CEO of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing philanthropic support to “Hope for Haiti Now.”

 ”Hope for Haiti Now,” benefits the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, Oxfam America, Partners in Health, the Red Cross, UNICEF, United Nations World Food Programme, and Yele Haiti Foundation.  With the exception of the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, each organization was selected for its history of operation and collaboration within the nongovernmental organization (NGO) community in Haiti.

 ”Hope for Haiti Now” will continue accepting donations for six months via the following methods:

• Online: www.hopeforhaitinow.org
• Phone: 877-99-HAITI
• Text: Text “GIVE” to 50555
• Mail: Hope for Haiti Now, FILE 1372, 1801 West Olympic Blvd. / Pasadena, California 91199-1372

 ”Hope for Haiti Now” was produced by Joel Gallen and Tenth Planet Productions, in collaboration with Viacom’s MTV Networks and George Clooney.

 About MTV Networks

MTV Networks, a division of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is one of the world’s leading creators of entertainment content, with brands that engage and connect diverse audiences across television, online, mobile, games, virtual worlds and consumer products. The company’s portfolio spans more than 150 television channels and 400 digital media properties worldwide, and includes MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, Harmonix, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Nick Jr., TeenNick, AddictingGames, Neopets, COMEDY CENTRAL, SPIKE, TV Land, Atom, GameTrailers, and Xfire.