AMC'S "THE WALKING DEAD" AND THE AMERICAN RED CROSS PARTNER TO HELP SAVE LIVES

Celebrities Show Support and Get "Zombie-fied" for the Cause

New York - September 24, 2012 - AMC and the American Red Cross have joined forces to raise awareness about the constant need for blood. In the event of a natural disaster or even a zombie apocalypse, it's the existing blood supply that will help save lives.

"The American Red Cross Zombie Blood Drive" campaign kicks off September 24 and runs through October 22. It draws attention to this important cause through celebrity support from stars like Peter Jackson, The Black Keys, Joel Madden, Mena Suvari, Aisha Tyler, NASCAR's Kurt Busch and EXTRA's Maria Menounos, among others. Each celebrity will be "zombie-fied" through digital portraits created by "The Walking Dead's" own special effects make-up guru Greg Nicotero.

As part of the campaign, the "zombie-fied" celebrity photos will run on-air in a custom Public 'Zombie' Announcement ("PZA") on AMC and online at the network's dedicated campaign micro-site, www.amcgiveblood.com. The PZA reminds viewers to use their brains and give blood through the Red Cross.

AMC is also organizing a special sweepstakes to thank those who support blood donation through the Red Cross. The grand prize is a visit to the set of "The Walking Dead" in Atlanta, Georgia. Details are available at www.amcgiveblood.com.

Participating Celebrities

Peter Jackson, The Black Keys, Joel Madden, Mena Suvari, EXTRA's Maria Menounos, Jimmy Smits, Laird Hamilton, NASCAR's Kurt Busch, Aisha Tyler, Elisabeth Rohm and Whitney Port

Donate Blood

Visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) for more information or to schedule a blood donation appointment. All blood types are needed to ensure the Red Cross maintains an adequate blood supply. A blood donor card or driver's license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Donors must be in general good health, weigh at least 110 pounds and be at least 17 years old (16 in some states with completed parental consent form). Certain height and weight restrictions apply to donors 18 and younger.

Watch "The Walking Dead" on AMC

AMC's "The Walking Dead," the number one drama series in basic cable history for Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54, returns for its third season Sunday, October 14 at 9pm. Based on the comic book series written by Robert Kirkman, "The Walking Dead" tells the story of the months and years that follow after a zombie apocalypse. It follows a group of survivors who travel in search of a safe and secure home. The series, which garnered a 2010 Golden Globe(R) nomination for Best Television Series - Drama and won the 2011 Emmy(R) Award for Outstanding Prosthetic Make-Up, stars Andrew Andrew Lincoln, Sarah Wayne Callies, Laurie Holden, Norman Reedus, Steven Yeun, Chandler Riggs, Scott Wilson, Lauren Cohan, Danai Gurira and David Morrissey. Season three of "The Walking Dead" is executive produced by showrunner Glen Mazzara, Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd and David Alpert.

About AMC

AMC reigns as the only cable network in history to ever win the Emmy(R) Award for Outstanding Drama Series four years in a row, as well as the Golden Globe(R) Award for Best Television Series - Drama for three consecutive years. Whether commemorating favorite films from every genre and decade or creating acclaimed original programming, the AMC experience is an uncompromising celebration of great stories. AMC's original stories include "Mad Men," "Breaking Bad," "The Walking Dead "and "Hell on Wheels." AMC further demonstrates its commitment to the art of storytelling with its slate of unscripted original series, as well as curated movie franchises like AMC's Can't Get Enough and AMC's Crazy About. AMC is owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc. and its sister networks include IFC, Sundance Channel and WE tv. AMC is available across all platforms, including on-air, online, on demand and mobile. AMC: Story Matters HereSM.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization - not a government agency - and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.