Group Makes Appearance on Annual Muscular
Dystrophy Telethon Live From Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS — Acosta Sales & Marketing Company, based in Jacksonville, Fla., presented a check for $3 million to the Muscular Dystrophy Association during the 2010 Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon this weekend.

Executive Vice President of Retail Operations Brad Smith presents a check to Telethon co-hosts Nancy O'Dell and Luke Christie.

The contribution - presented by Acosta Executive Vice President of Retail Operations Brad Smith - was delivered to Telethon co-host Alison Sweeney during the 21½-hour broadcast. The contribution represents Acosta’s year-round fundraising efforts for MDA.

MDA President & CEO Gerald Weinberg said Acosta’s support of the Association has been unwavering over the years.

“We’re grateful to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Aisles for Smiles and to have Acosta’s steadfast support of that program those many years,’’ Weinberg said.

The Telethon raised $58,919,838 in pledges and contributions.

“Knowing that our efforts are making a positive impact on so many people around the world is all the motivation we need to ask our customers to help us help MDA,” Smith said. “We’re proud of our silver MDA anniversary and pledge to continue the fight until it’s won.’’

Televised by more than 170 of MDA’s “Love Network’’ stations, the 2010 Telethon is estimated to have been watched by nearly 40 million Americans. Millions more worldwide saw the show live via RealNetworks streaming video at www.mda.org.

Fans also could follow the Telethon via MDA’s Twitter, Facebook and YouTube sites, where they were treated to a behind-the-scenes look during the broadcast.

For the fifth year, the Telethon originated from the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa in Las Vegas.

Acosta has been an MDA national sponsor for 25 years. Its associates and customers have raised money for the Association through their involvement with the Aisles of Smiles program conducted in supermarkets and other retail stores nationwide. For more information on these programs, visit www.mda.org/ways-to-help/national-events-programs.

Acosta is the leading sales, marketing and service business in the United States and Canada, employing more than 16,000 associates in more than 70 locations.

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education.

MDA maintains clinics nationwide for adults and children with neuromuscular diseases, including the Nemours Children’s Clinic and the Mayo Clinic, both in Jacksonville.

ABOUT ACOSTA:

Acosta Sales & Marketing is a leading full-service sales and marketing agency providing outsourced headquarter sales, retail merchandising, marketing, and customer support services to consumer packaged goods companies. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., Acosta has more than 16,000 associates and operates throughout the U.S. and Canada. For more information, visit http://www.acosta.com.