Nashville TN, 10.02.2002

CBA, a trade association for Christian retailers and suppliers, has named Newsboys their music spokespersons for their “What Goes Into the Mind Comes Out In A Life”™ campaign. This announcement, first released to retailers by the CBA headquarters in Colorado Springs, CO came on the eve of the Newsboys worldwide-televised tour debut, which aired in prime time on TBN October 11. This year’s tour, based on their best selling album Thrive, is called Thrive – It’s All In The Word, designed to integrate a message promoting biblical literacy with their high energy tour. The biblical literacy campaign is a partnership with Zondervan.

As part of the partnership, Newsboys will promote What Goes Into The Mind through their tour and interviews. Likewise, CBA will work with Newsboys on their “It’s All In The Word” campaign, developing the web site for fans to commit to reading their Bible. They are powering the downloadable study tools, including the 180 day reading plan from the NIV Student Bible and the Book of Romans sampler distributed at the concerts, all reachable through the Newsboys web-site (www.newsboys.com). This is in conjunction with CBA’s What Goes Into the Mind website and Innovative, Inc.’s Signature Websites (www.signaturewebsites.com).

Over 230 Christian retailers’ Signature Websites across the US and Canada will be a part of the campaign launch as well. Visitors to retailers’ Signature Websites will be able to make the “It’s All In The Word” commitment to read their Bible, access downloadable resources and purchase helps online as a part of this partnership. Nearly 2,000,000 visitors are anticipated to visit these retailers’ sites through the Christmas season.

Newsboys are perfectly fit for this partnership with CBA, having released product in the audio, print, and visual media. This year alone, the band:

• Released a new CD, Thrive, featuring the record breaking song “It Is You,” topping the Christian Pop/CHR charts at #1 for an unprecedented 12 consecutive weeks and 6 weeks at #1 on the CCM/R&R AC chart; moreover, their second single, “Million Pieces,” is already #1 on CHR/POP for 6 weeks - and #1 for 3 weeks on the AC chart. That’s a combined 18 weeks at #1 with just 2 songs.
• In addition, the band published its first book – (which entered the Marketplace Best Seller’s list for paperback non-fiction) Shine – Make Them Wonder What You’ve Got, a spiritual introspective written by the band members and released by Whitaker House.
• Their Thrive – Live From The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame DVD, in partnership with Total Living Network, captured their groundbreaking prime time PAX TV album debut at the venerated and legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.
• In September, Newsboys released Newsboys Remixed, which has already met with considerable critical acclaim.
• Newsboys kicked off their “Thrive – It’s All In The Word” with an unprecedented prime time TBN tour world premiere a week ago.

The “What Goes Into the Mind …” campaign is designed to encourage Christians to consider what they put into their minds because it has an impact on their life’s choices, responses to situations, and world view. With a pop culture where humanistic and post modern thought drives what is presented in art, entertainment and education, this campaign is designed to be a reminder of the impact these elements have on each individual’s mindset. It points to Christian retail as a source for materials that will afford appropriate input for spiritual growth.

“Today, more than ever, we want to encourage young people – all people – to safeguard what goes into their minds. That’s what this national campaign is all about. So, the Newsboys, who share our concern and our commitment to the Word of God, are a natural fit to impact young people with our message,” CBA President Bill Anderson said. “Christian retailers are prepared to help – offering a wide variety of Christian music, books, gifts, children’s products, and Bibles.”

“I have witnessed first hand that wherever my mind leads, I seem to follow,” says Newsboys front man Peter Furler. “1 Timothy 6: 20 says I must guard what has been entrusted to my care, turn away from Godless chatter, and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge.”

Newsboys and CBA have partnered to carry this message through the Thrive – It’s All In The Word tour and beyond. Attendance at Newsboys events this year is soaring. Their recent performance at the Washington State Fair set the all--time attendance record with more than 13,000 people. Newsboys drew 11,000+ for their performance at the Minnesota State Fair – and the tour is just beginning.


Rob Michaels
Lord & Michaels Entertainment
615-373-8000
rob.lordmichaels@comcast.net