California’s Leading Digital and Media Platforms, Businesses and Celebrities Partner with the State to Amplify COVID-19 “Stay Home. Save Lives.” Public Awareness Campaign

Social media giants like Google, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter are part of the partnership aimed at raising awareness on COVID-19 safety and mitigation

The partnerships include more than $6.5 million in donated or in-kind contributions

Celebrities Will Ferrell, Kumail Nanjiani, Snoop Dogg, Ken Jeong, and others have also stepped up to record short social media videos to promote the stay at home message

SACRAMENTO — Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that leading social media companies, businesses, leaders, and individuals from across the state have leapt into action to partner and support the COVID-19 public awareness campaign. The partnerships include sharing content with the public through social media and other digital platforms, radio and television, and outdoor advertising.

“This is a crisis that is affecting all of us, and it is critical that every Californian does their part to meet this moment by staying home and exercising social distancing. I am very proud to see these Californians step up and reach out to everyone they can with that message,” said Governor Newsom. “It is no surprise that some of the world’s leading media and digital companies, many of which have headquarters located in our great state, are among the first to step up and join the fight against COVID-19.”

Companies like Google, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Spotify are making advertising space available to help ensure Californians get critical COVID-19 messages. Additionally, philanthropic organizations such as the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative are offering support and resources.

The state has launched a public awareness campaign to keep Californians informed, including creating nearly a dozen Public Service Announcements (PSAs) featuring First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, California Surgeon General Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, and California Department of Public Health Director Dr. Sonia Angell. The campaign also includes accessible and shareable social media graphics, videos, and key messages such as tips for stopping the spread of COVID-19, reminding Californians of which essential resources and services remain open, and providing guidance on how to stay healthy.

Currently, more than 1,000 of California’s radio and television broadcasters have received the campaign’s PSAs and messages to share on their airwaves— so that all Californians will see the message to “Stay home. Save lives” — thanks to local ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and Telemundo broadcast networks, Comcast Ad Distribution, the California Broadcasters Association, Entercom, Enterprise, and Ethnic Media Services. In addition, more than 450 digital billboards and outdoor advertisements are visible statewide in both English and Spanish thanks to ClearChannel, OutFront Media, Veale Outdoor Advertising, General Outdoor, VisCom Outdoor, iKahan Media and M Entertainment.

As of today, California businesses have invested more than $6.5 million in services and resources to help get the word out to Californians, and it will grow exponentially as additional partnerships develop and solidify. This is a vital investment not just in the campaign itself, but in the health and well-being of the people of California. GMMB, Inc., an advertising firm, is providing strategic communications support and managing the various media partnerships.

Click here to see the California Stay At Home cartoon narrated by Governor Gavin Newsom.

Click here to see the Stay at Home, What’s Essential Animated video running on Twitter.

Click here to see California Department of Public Health Director Dr. Sonia Angell’s Stay Home, Slow the Spread PSA.

Click here to see California First Partner Jennifer Seibel Newsom’s Saving Lives, It Starts with Staying at Home PSA.

Celebrities have also stepped up by filming short social media PSAs to help the state promote the stay at home order.

Click here to see actor and comedian Will Ferrell’s Stay at Home PSA video.

Click here to see actor and comedian Ken Jeong’s Stay at Home PSA video.

Click here to watch actor and comedian Kumail Nanjiani’s Stay at Home PSA video.

Click here to see former NFL Tight End and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Tony Gonzalez’s Stay at Home PSA.

Click here to see rapper Snoop Dogg’s Stay at Home PSA.

For a wider selection of PSAs and social media content, visit toolkit.covid19.ca.gov.