？！

9/25/2007 10:27:00 PM
Maria has invited NBA star LeBron James to Team Up against poverty on a new UNDP advertisement to garner support for achieving the eight Millennium Development Goals as part of her work with UNDP.

Maria's work with UNDP  includes promoting international efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. Adopted by 189 countries in 2000, the Goals are clear, time-bound targets for achieving measurable improvements in the lives of the world's poorest people. They aim at eradicating poverty, putting children in schools, promoting women's rights, fighting killer diseases, and providing access to safe drinking water. UNDP coordinates global and national efforts to reach these Goals.

This ad campaign revolves around the concept of Teaming Up against Poverty to achieve the MDG's.  The advertisements  features celebrities from the world of sports, arts, fashion or business portrayed in teams of two by the world's greatest professional photographers.

Fifty  celebrities, including UNDP Goodwill Ambassadors and soccer greats Ronaldo and Zidane, have agreed to participate in the initiative to promote the MDG's and are undertaking specific anti-poverty activities.

The advertisements have been produced thanks to  photographers, celebrities and advertising agencies who are donating their time and talent for the fight against poverty. Hundreds of newspapers and magazines have already published these advertisements worldwide.

Maria and LeBron James were photographed by top fashion photographer Patrick Demarchelier who has donated his talent for this new photo that will launch a news series of advertisements to promote the MDG's in New York today.

CNN sports and CNN international was at the shoot and interviewed Maria and LeBron and filmed some of the shoot.

The ad will be out in the next 4 weeks.