Big Media + Big Bucks = Big Easy Boost

Amid ever more shocking images and mounting casualties, big media corporations on Wednesday announced millions of dollars in aid to victims of Hurricane Katrina, which has transformed the historic and heavily populated city of New Orleans into a virtual underwater hell and decimated areas of Mississippi and Alabama.
Walt Disney unveiled corporate contributions of $2.5 million: a $1 million donation to the American Red Cross for immediate relief efforts; $1 million for rebuilding efforts targeted at children's charities; and $500,000 for volunteer centers. Viacom is planning a $1 million cash donation to the American Red Cross and a worldwide employee matching gift program directed to the agency. Its divisions CBS, BET, UPN, MTV Networks, Infinity Radio and outdoor will develop special programming and offer ad space and airtime for public service announcements from the Red Cross and other agencies.
Local TV and radio stations will do the same in their communities. Time Warner, the world's biggest media company, said it will start by matching
$1 million in employee contributions made to the American Red Cross.