Prime Minister extends his support to a new responsible drinking campaign.

Cricket’s proven role as a positive influence in the community is being used to encourage fans to know when to declare when they have had enough to drink.

In an Australian first, Cricket Australia and its partners Foster’s Group, Diageo Australia and the Nine Network today launched their new national community service broadcast campaign, called ‘Know When to Declare’, urging sports fans to take responsibility for their actions.

Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, and Minister for Sport, Kate Ellis, joined the leaders from all four organisations at the MCG for the official launch.

The broadcast campaign will include a 30 second TV community service announcement (CSA) headlined by cricket commentators Richie Benaud and Tony Greig and is supported with 15 second ads featuring Michael Clarke and Mitchell Johnson. These commentators and players were chosen after independent research[1] confirmed their credibility amongst Australian sports fans, particularly amongst young men.

The main TV execution begins with the familiar refrains of ‘Classic Catches’, only this time rather than catches the segment is highlighting classic cricket declarations. Soon the viewers realise that the declaration drawing praise from Richie and Tony isn’t that of a famous cricketer but a regular fan.

Using his familiar magic marker, Tony highlights how the behaviour of one young man in the outer could easily have spiralled out of control before the fan himself took charge by telling his mates he’d had enough to drink.

The campaign is designed to demonstrate the benefits of making the right decisions on and off the field and reminds young adults that they are ultimately responsible for their own actions.

The TV campaign will launch during Channel Nine’s cricket broadcasting.

“The Boxing Day Test match is one of the iconic sporting events in Australia that attracts millions of spectators, and there is no better time to remind people to drink responsibly and enjoy the summer ahead.” Nine Network CEO, David Gyngell, said.

Cricket Australia signed up to the Prime Minister’s National Binge Drinking Strategy in March 2008, making a commitment to help address the issues of misuse of alcohol, particularly by young Australians.

“Cricket is a sport that brings Australians together, whether it is at home, on the beaches, in the backyard or at the MCG. Australians enjoy the cricket experience and the social benefits through having a good time with friends and family and we want to use our influence to ensure this remains true,” said James Sutherland, Cricket Australia CEO.

“We wanted to engage young men in a discussion about their drinking habits and rather than preaching, research told us leveraging the sporting icons they know and respect would help to deliver a responsibility message. We are therefore pleased to have the support of Richie, Tony, Michael and Mitchell for this initiative.”

“Most people know their limits and do make the right decisions when they are out with friends or family. We hope to convince the minority that misuse alcohol that they can choose another path,” Foster’s Group Limited CEO, Ian Johnston said.

“Through this campaign, we hope to encourage people to enjoy themselves over the summer, but to know their limits and know when to declare.”

The development of this TV campaign forms part of a new national partnership announced in November between Cricket Australia, Nine Network, Foster’s Group and Diageo Australia to drive clear standards in the responsible consumption and marketing of alcohol beverages throughout the 2009-2010 summer and beyond.

The campaign is co-branded by participating organisations after independent research showed that co-branding added extra weight to the message and created stronger public recognition that this is an issue that needs to be addressed.

The campaign will air on Channel Nine and participating networks throughout the summer season.

*From a media release