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Press Release

Phoenix House to Honor NBC Universal President Jeff Zucker

NEW YORK, NY, June 6, 2005 – Phoenix House, the nation’s leading non-profit drug treatment and education agency, will present Jeff Zucker, president of NBC Universal Television Group, with the Phoenix Rising Award at a gala dinner at the Waldorf=Astoria on Wednesday, June 8, 2005. Matt Lauer will act as Master of Ceremonies, and Conan O’Brien will present the award.

Guests at the event will include Katie Couric, Jonathan Tisch, Dick Wolf, Mariska Hargitay, Jill Hennessy, Richard Belzer, John C. McGinley and Alec Baldwin.

"When we created the Phoenix Rising Award, it was with executives like Jeff Zucker in mind,” said Mitchell S. Rosenthal, M.D., president of Phoenix House. "He is a leader in the community and a champion of social responsibility. He clearly recognizes that media companies have both an opportunity and a duty to convey constructive messages with a positive influence on viewers. And he has done precisely that during his tenure at NBC.”

"I am proud to accept the Phoenix Rising Award and greatly honored that Phoenix House has chosen to recognize NBC Universal’s work to raise awareness of substance abuse and addiction in our society,” said Mr. Zucker. "I understand the power of the entertainment media to shape the views of our clients and the need to give back to organizations such as Phoenix House that heal broken families and strengthen our neediest communities.”

The Phoenix Rising Award honors leaders in the arts and entertainment industry who promote healthy lifestyles among America’s youth; previous honorees include Russell Simmons, Eric Clapton and Martin Sheen. Under Zucker’s leadership, NBC has focused its award-winning "The More Your Know” public service campaign on "Building Strong Families, Communities, and Children.” The campaign, which reaches 64 million viewers each week, raises awareness of social issues. It encourages parents to talk to their children about drugs and alcohol and urges men and women to become mentors.

The dinner is chaired by Bob Wright, Vice Chairman & Executive Officer of General Electric Company and Chairman & CEO of NBC Universal, and Ron Meyer, President and CEO of NBC Universal. The co-chairs are Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO of Dreamworks Animation; Lorne Michaels, Executive Producer of "Saturday Night Live”; Jeff Ross, Executive Producer of NBC’s "Late Night with Conan O’Brien”; Sir Howard Stringer, Chairman & CEO of Sony Corporation of America; Jonathan Tisch; Donald J. Trump; Chairman & President of Trump Organization; and Dick Wolf, Executive Producer of Wolf Films.

Phoenix House is the nation’s largest non-profit provider of substance abuse treatment and prevention services, operating more than 100 programs in nine states. Phoenix House has served communities in New York since 1967, helping thousands to overcome the problems associated with substance abuse and lead healthy, productive and rewarding lives. Some 2,500 adults and teenagers receive treatment each day through more than 20 Phoenix House programs in New York City, upstate New York, and Long Island.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Media Contact:
Justin Bernbach
(646) 505-2094