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XxFallen95 · 10-24-2005, 06:19 PM

I had emailed the National Epilepsy Foundation about promoting and fundraising for "Out of the Shadows" in my school. The email I received back is very informative and interesting.

Quote:

As you probably know by now, the Epilepsy Foundation is embarking on an exciting new campaign called “Out of the Shadows.” This is thanks to the unprecedented support of Amy Lee, the Grammy-winning celebrity who is the primary singer and songwriter for the rock band Evanescence.

Lee, her band, her management, and her record label have pledged their full support to the goals of “Out of the Shadows” – to raise awareness about epilepsy and to raise funds toward research – and have committed to an extended relationship to the Foundation. Lee will be the ‘host’ of a brand new website enticing her audience to learn more about epilepsy, how to help eliminate stigma, and how to become involved in the Foundation’s mission. She will also be featured in public service announcements, will talk about epilepsy in media interviews, and reference the condition and her commitment in the notes to her new album due next year. She and the Foundation are also working on other ways to enhance her commitment to the cause.

These are exciting times for Amy and her band, but also it is ‘make or break’ time. A sophomore album is arguably the most important record in a band’s life. “Fallen,” Evanescence’s premiere album, sold nearly 20 million copies around the world, and they played to sold out concert venues on nearly every continent. But, many bands come out with best selling and highly received first albums and are not able to translate that success to a second effort. While everyone expects Evanescence to come up with another hit album next year, their focus must be on the creation of the recordings.

So, while Amy stays firmly committed to helping the Epilepsy Foundation, she and her people must focus almost exclusively on the album through the remainder of 2005. In addition, her record company has strongly encouraged the Foundation to launch “Out of the Shadows” tied to the release of the first music from the new album. This way, we can combine our efforts to promote the music and the cause – presenting a much more enticing promotional package for the media.

Therefore, in some respects, the “Out of the Shadows” campaign launch has been a bit of a moving target, as the Foundation, Amy, her band, and her record label, finalize their plans and work to sync up a successful effort.

At this time, we are looking for the website – www.outoftheshadows.com – to launch in December 2005, just before the release of the first music from the new album and as the buzz from Evanescence’s involvement in the Disney film (scheduled to release on December 9th) grows.

In January 2006, we expect new Evanescence music to appear on radio stations across the country. We will time the beginning of our media relations efforts, in coordination with the record label, to appear around the same time.

In March 2006, we expect their sophomore album (still not titled) to appear in stores. Our “Out of the Shadows” media and marketing efforts will reach a first crescendo timed with the album release.

Throughout 2006, the Foundation, Amy, her management, and her record label will work together to make sure the “Out of the Shadows” campaign will be one of the most successful in Epilepsy Foundation history. The campaign is designed to make a huge difference in epilepsy awareness and to begin turning the tide on stigma, especially in young adults in the United States and – given Evanescence’s appeal – around the world.

I would check back with us in January.