In 2024, Population Media Center (PMC) enhanced our impact across the globe, engaging audiences with impactful TV shows, radio shows, interactive games, conferences, and advocacy. With the help of donors, partners, and advocates, PMC sparked important conversations on critical issues, creating lasting momentum for change and continuing to drive progress into the years ahead.
A heartfelt thank you to our global team of donors, artists, scientists, and advocates who harness the power of popular entertainment to create positive change for all.
pMC Launches Spanish audionovela in U.s.
For over 26 years, Population Media Center (PMC) has been at the forefront of using storytelling to create positive global change, reaching hundreds of millions in over 50 countries. Through engaging radio, TV, and web narratives, PMC brings relatable characters to life, driving behavior change on critical social and health issues.
In 2024, PMC expanded its reach with the launch of Toma Mi Mano (“Take My Hand”) in two distinct locations: Guatemala City and Los Angeles. This innovative project, part of our InnovaLab, tests how we can maximize impact and resources to improve more lives.
Toma Mi Mano is a 156-episode Spanish audionovela addressing key topics like family planning, teenage pregnancy, gender-based violence, and gang violence. With its rich, culturally relevant stories, the series is designed to spark social change.
As PMC’s Vice President of International Programs, Natalia Cereser, explains, “Toma Mi Mano aims to inspire change in attitudes and behaviors that shape family planning, stop domestic violence, and prevent community violence.”
Launched on August 1, 2024, in Los Angeles at Amalia’s Restaurant, the event showcased the power of entertainment-education, bringing together media influencers, local organizations, and community leaders. The excitement in the room reinforced that there’s a strong demand for content that not only entertains but drives real-world impact.
Discovering the Impact of BREAKAWAY in PISAC Schools in Peru
In 2024, Population Media Center (PMC) launched BREAKAWAY, an innovative video game and mobile app, in schools across Peru’s Incan Valley. This soccer-themed game engages young players with key social issues like gender equality, bullying, and violence against women. By making decisions both on and off the field, players learn important life lessons on respect, empathy, and positive behavior.
BREAKAWAY is especially impactful in Peru, where one in three women will experience intimate partner violence. In schools in Cusco and Pisac, children enthusiastically participated in the game, sparking important conversations about respect and the harmful effects of violence. Teachers and community leaders guided the children through the game, deepening their understanding of these critical issues.
With its accompanying Facilitator’s Guide and curriculum, BREAKAWAY provides a structured, interactive learning experience. From rural villages to urban schools, the game is empowering young people to challenge harmful behaviors and promote social change in their communities.
Three Million & Counting: Growing Impact in Mexico
On October 15, 2024, Papás Por Conveniencia, the latest telenovela from Population Media Center (PMC) in partnership with TelevisaUnivision, had its highly anticipated launch event in Mexico City. The excitement was palpable as the show debuted to an incredible response, surpassing its nearest competition in the prime-time slot by more than 1.5 million viewers in its opening week.
The launch event, filled with the aroma of fresh tacos and tortas, was a lively celebration, with cameras flashing and fans cheering outside. Award-winning musicians Jesse y Joy captivated the crowd with a live performance of the telenovela’s theme song, setting the tone for the powerful story ahead.
Premiering on October 21, Papás Por Conveniencia quickly became a sensation, attracting nearly three million viewers on its first night on Las Estrellas. The telenovela’s success is not just in its viewership, but in the conversations it sparks around important social issues affecting Mexican teens, including teenage pregnancy, sexual and gender-based violence, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
The show was produced by renowned showrunner Rosy Ocampo and features a collaboration between TelevisaUnivision, PMC, Mexfam, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and CONAPO, among other key organizations. This partnership has allowed the show to blend compelling drama with critical social messaging, offering both entertainment and a platform for real change.
At the launch, alongside the cast and crew, activists and journalists took the stage to discuss the serious issues the telenovela addresses. Representatives from influential organizations like MexFam/OrientaSEX, UNFPA, and CONAPO were in attendance, underscoring the show’s role in advocating for women’s rights, reproductive health, and youth empowerment.
The partnership between PMC and Televisa is powerful because we planted the seed for creating social content that not only drives ratings and profit but also fulfills our mission and the social responsibility of mass media.
The Guardian & Psychology Today Talk Behavior Change & Social Norms
A paper on behavior change and social norms, which has garnered attention from The Guardian and Psychology Today, highlights PMC’s critical role in addressing global challenges. The authors, Joseph Merz and Phoebe Barnard, stress the need to prioritize human behavior change in tackling overconsumption and population growth—two key drivers of climate impact. PMC’s innovative approach using media and storytelling is recognized as a vital tool in shifting societal attitudes and creating meaningful change.
The Fallout of Dobbs: Contraceptive Access in Crisis
As many women face increasing difficulty obtaining birth control and reproductive health services, the consequences of Dobbs are far-reaching. Contraceptive deserts are expanding, leaving millions of women with limited options. In some states, birth control prescriptions have dropped by 5%, and emergency contraception prescriptions have plummeted by 65%. With 19 million women living in areas with little to no access to birth control, the situation is growing more dire.
Population Media Center (PMC) is addressing this crisis with urgency and purpose. Our 10-episode podcast, Crossing the Line, follows individuals navigating the barriers to reproductive care, including abortion, and explores the broader implications for contraception access. Each episode shares unique first-person stories of people seeking abortion care or struggling to access birth control, as well as expert insights into the legal and social challenges ahead.
As restrictions tighten and access to contraception becomes more limited, we must stand together to advocate for the reproductive rights of all. The time to act is now; tune in to the Crossing the Line podcast to learn more about abortion access barriers and access.
Thank you for an amazing 2024 and we’ll see you in the new year!
We’ve expanded our reach through a variety of initiatives addressing critical issues such as child marriage, reproductive health, gender-based violence, and more. With a focus on driving social change and long-term impact, our work has made a meaningful difference in countries like Zambia, Mexico, Liberia, Ethiopia, Nepal, Peru, Guatemala, the United States, Niger, and more. PMC’s storytelling approach continues to resonate deeply with diverse communities, with our unique methodology at its core. Thank you to the PMC global team and the entire PMC community for ensuring that we can continue to make a positive and lasting difference around the world.
