MUMBAI: In honor of the United Nations' 60th anniversary this year, the UN will debut a special public service announcement (PSA) at MIPTV this year.

The 60 second spot, produced by Harmony Gold, is part of a broader effort to increase awareness of the work of the UN during this special period culminating with the 60th opening session of the UN General Assembly in the fall. The unique element to this PSA however is that, instead of featuring a celebrity, the PSA features characters from Harmony Gold's classic anime series Robotech making it the first animated PSA for the UN in many years.

"When we approached the UN with the idea of doing an animated PSA, they were very excited. They feel this is a unique way of contributing to the UN's message of peace at a time when the world really needs it and, because it is animation, it will ultimately be broadcast on networks catering to a younger audience who will benefit from hearing the positive message," said Harmony Gold chairman and CEO Frank Agrama.

Harmony Gold approached Caroline Petit from the UN at last year's MIPTV offering to produce the PSA to commemorate its upcoming anniversary. Having just begun production on an animated film, Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles, a sequel to its hit anime series, Robotech, Harmony Gold approached its production partners to help create the PSA believing that this would be a great way to honor the people of the UN.

The UN and Harmony Gold will begin distributing the spot at MIP TV 2005 and it will additionally be available for viewing on the www.robotech.com website.

Contributors on this PSA include DR Movie, Korea (Animation); Titmouse, Inc./Chris Prynoski (Director); Scott Glasgow (Composer); Krandall Crews (Recording Engineer); Intersound (Sound Design / Post Production); Kickstart Prods. (Production Services); Jim Garifi (Timing). At Harmony Gold: Frank Agrama and Alan Letz (Executive Producers); Kimberly Maxwell (Producer); Tommy Yune (Creative Director); Thomas Bateman (Writer).