MIAMI (Map) - MIAMI, May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday, EcoZone, together with AmeriCorps, Mayor Manny Diaz and several community partners planted 1,000 trees at Miami's Virginia Key Beach Park. This continues EcoZone's ongoing effort with Mayor Diaz to green the city of Miami. EcoZone is an award-winning program operated by EcoMedia, a leading environmental media company that invests up to 50 percent of sponsorship revenue to fund environmental programs and technologies.

The 1,000 trees planted in Miami yesterday will absorb a significant amount of carbon dioxide each year -- the equivalent of off-setting 2,577 gallons of gasoline annually, or 51,540 vehicle miles traveled per year.

"Thanks to EcoZone Miami and the work of more than 600 national AmeriCorps volunteers, we can all breathe cleaner air in Miami," said Mayor Diaz. "These 1,000 native trees will soak up to 50,000 pounds of carbon emissions each year, while providing shade on this historic beach. Through this public-private partnership, we have taken an important step to counteract global warming while enriching the natural environment of Virginia Key."

Current and previous EcoZone Program sponsors who have used media to help clean the environment include WFOR-TV, Office Depot, JetBlue, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Philips, APL, Hyatt Regency, Miami Herald, Mercy Hospital, Panther Real Estate Partners, The Romano Group, Method, Wild Oats, TerraCycle, Nestle Waters' Zephyrhills brand, Royal Caribbean, Waste Management, FPL, WCI Communities, Ferrous Processing, Publix Supermarkets and Montenay/Onyx.

"As marketers seek effective ways to communicate their value proposition to consumers, city governments come under tougher economic times, and as all of us face environmental challenges, we offer a unique solution that addresses all of those needs with 'green media' that actually greens," said Paul Polizzotto, Founder and CEO of EcoMedia. "Yesterday's effort is a perfect example of how our model works and of what it can do for the environment. We leverage advertising dollars from corporations and brands to actually clean the air we breathe in cities across the country."

In just four years, the EcoZone Program has accomplished meaningful environmental initiatives such as the City Hall Energy Efficiency Project, the installation of filters into storm drains to protect rivers lakes and streams, the funding of Miami "Green Lab" and the Miami BayWash Program.

EcoZone Program funding comes from the growing corporate investment in green advertising through EcoMedia, a ground-breaking company that leverages public-private partnerships to invest in real environmental projects. Revenue used to fund these measurable initiatives is generated by the sale of advertising and sponsorship packages on media properties like the company's nationally syndicated television show, "The EcoZone Project", highly visible signage in major cities all around the country, the newly announced EcoZone/Kimco (NYSE: KIM) Retail Marketing Program as well as other media platforms. Sponsors are able to accomplish their marketing objectives while making an immediate and positive environmental impact in local communities where their customers live, work, and play.

Earlier this year, EcoMedia announced a content development partnership with Worldwide Pants Incorporated (WPI), the Emmy Award-winning production company created by David Letterman. The Worldwide Pants/EcoMedia collaboration, which begins production in the fall of 2008, will generate original, unscripted, environment-related content, in the style of The Late Show remote segments, for television and Internet distribution. This partnership will serve as yet another opportunity for advertisers to put their ad dollars to work for the environment.

In addition to funding substantial efforts in Miami, EcoMedia and EcoZone Program sponsors are active in many markets across the country. Notable projects include the installation of solar panels at Long Beach Airport in California, as well as sponsoring the community's Heal the Bay's Key to Sea program and funding scholarships for the Aquarium of the Pacific. In Sacramento County, CA, EcoZone provides funding to support environmental programs such as the Mather Wetland Enhancement Project, the Stream Watch Program, and the Effie Yeaw Nature Center, among other educational and community outreach programs.

About EcoMedia and EcoZone

EcoMedia is a leading environmental media company, dedicated to pioneering marketing and media programs which help companies connect to consumers while generating necessary resources to address critical environmental challenges. EcoMedia and its flagship EcoZone Program were founded in 2002 with the mission to create solutions for environmental problems with all partners involved -- business, government, environmental advocates and the community. The company utilizes its traditional media offerings such as television, radio, out-of-home, online, interactive and event marketing to help corporations build their business. In turn, revenues are generated and used to make a positive environmental difference in the communities in which these companies and their employees live, work and do business.

Recently, EcoMedia announced an expansion of the EcoZone program with Kimco Realty Corp. (NYSE: KIM) and content development deal with Worldwide Pants Inc., the Emmy award winning production company created by David Letterman. Recent EcoZone sponsors include Office Depot (NYSE: ODP), JetBlue (Nasdaq: JBLU), Nestle Waters, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Southern California Edison, a subsidiary of Edison International (NYSE: EIX) and Philips Lighting, a division of Philips Global (NYSE: PHG).

Visit http://www.ecozonemedia.com or http://www.ecozone.tv for more information.