PRESS CONFERENCE Le Méridien Vienna | May 22, 2017

Life Ball Press Office:Phone +43 (0) 1 595 56 00 20, Fax +43 (0) 1 595 56 77, presse@lifeball.orgwww.lifeplus.org | www.lifeball.org | www.lifebible.org

For printing this press kit free of change, we kindly thank:

Graphics & layout: WebArtists - Günter TemelCover: © Peter Lindbergh, 2017. Model: Kate Winslet / © Peter Lindbergh, 2017. Model: Tatjana PatitzCampaign design: Kobza and the Hungry Eyes GmbH

For pictures of the press conference, please refer to the Life Ball’s photo data base on lifeball.mediamap.at – a voluntary service of Agentur Wulz

We kindly thank Marina Stadlbauer for translating this press kit into English on a voluntary basis.

Contents

KNOW YOUR STATUS campaign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Facts and figures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Goals of the campaign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Peter Lindbergh shoots campaign for Life Ball 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Making of Peter Lindbergh shooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Mobile testing stations all over Austria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Partners & testimonials for the campaign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

I am looking forward to introducing the KNOW YOUR STATUS campaign at this year’s Life Ball. Educational work and knowing one’s own immune sta-tus are the necessary foundation to fight HIV/AIDS sustainably. KNOW YOUR STATUS provides approaches that can be implemented quickly and used around the world. Especially in this context, knowledge provides the neces-sary protection for the affected, the endangered, and ultimately for our entire society. It is my honor to contribute effectively to this good cause that will re-sonate accordingly.Austrian Federal Chancellor Christian Kern

KNOW YOUR STATUS campaignFrom the very beginning, the Life Ball has proven to be an innovative and effective tool to get the public, the government, and the international community to think about HIV/AIDS – it has raised awareness, reduced stigma and made a difference with strong partner organizations. With the reorientation of the message of LIFE+, the association wants to put the emphasis on free access to HIV tests this year.

On the occasion of World AIDS Day 2016, LIFE+ already presented the campaign Know Your Status, which will focus on information and HIV tests until the next World AIDS Day on December 1, 2017. The goal is to fight the stigma around HIV tests and to make testing something normal. Because only those who know their own HIV status can protect themselves and others.

Information and education are the cornerstones of the fight against the spread of AIDS – in Austria as well as all around the globe. According to WHO estimates, 46% of the 36.7 million people who are currently living with HIV or AIDS around the world do not know their status. (Source: WHO)

At least one third of the 2.3 million people in Europe who are infected with HIV do not know that they are infected! Thus, the people affected only have access to therapy at a later time. This reduces the effectiveness of therapy and can lead to complications that are a burden to the individual, but also to the health care system. An efficient HIV test strategy that leads to an earlier diagnosis of HIV infections should be considered the main goal. This is the only way to positively influence the course of the disease and reduce new infections and the financial burden on the health care system. In Austria alone, between 8,000 and 9,000 people are infected with HIV, but only one out of seven knows his or her status.

This is where the KNOW YOUR STATUS CAMPAIGN comes in: Free HIV tests at the right time have proven to reduce infection rates, as has already been shown by HIV tests during mother-and-child care in 2010. Back then, the mother-and-child HIV infection rate in Austria was at an all-time low (0.4%).

1

Background and figures

Austria has made a commitment to adhere to the so-called 90/90/90 goals of UNIAIDS. The first one is that 90% of all people infected with HIV should know their immune status.

In Europe, 1 person out of 7 HIV-positive people does not know his or her status.

Almost half of the cases (48%) are diagnosed late (CD4 count under 350 cells/ml3).1)

Even though the number of HIV tests in Austria is relatively high compared to the rest of Eu-rope (>75 tests per 1,000 inhabitants), 42% are late diagnoses, with a slight increase in the last decade, which means that it is close to the European average.2)

Routine HIV tests reduce late diagnoses, the risk of infection for others and the cost of the treatment.

When a free HIV test was offered as part of mother-and-child care in 2010, the mother-and-child HIV infection went down to an all-time low in Austria. This is a sign that that institutional endorsement at the right time („nudge“) shows clear results.

95% of the people who are offered an HIV test by their physician take it.

Barriers for HIV tests in (potential) patients: 3)

1. They think that they are not affected / not at risk

2. They are afraid of an HIV infection and its consequences

3. They are afraid of stigma and exclusion by society/acquaintances

4. They do not know where and how tests take place and how much they cost.

Goals

Removing the stigma of HIV and HIV tests in society

Causing a significant increase in HIV tests in Austria in 2017 – in general and especially among risk groups MSM (Men Having Sex With Men) and IDU (Injecting Drug Users) as well as immigrants.

Reducing test barriers – HIV tests become normal

Stemming the spread of HIV and AIDS through information and education

1) Source: WHO Europe, ECDC Evidence Letter 20152) Source: WHO 20113) Source: Aids Hilfe Wien (Aids Help Vienna), February 2016

2

Peter Lindbergh shoots 2017 Life Ball campaignThe international star photographer perfectly stages KNOW YOUR STATUS

What do Kate Winslet, Tatjana Patitz, and Uma Thurman have in common? They all know their HIV status – and they and their plea for everybody to get tested are the visual center piece of this year‘s LIFE+ awareness campaign „KNOW YOUR STATUS“. They have been photographed in an expressive and iconic way by legendary Peter Lindbergh, who is probably the most influential fashion photographer of the last 40 years and founder of the supermodel phenomenon of the 1990s. „I‘ve heard a lot about the Life Ball, but when I saw the video that Gery sent me, I was truly impressed. It was about the Life Ball‘s highlights and it was just incredible. You cannot get bigger of better in show business anymore. But with testing, you can, and that is awesome. This idea of refocusing on what you really want to do and not get blinded by all the glamor is what really convinced me of this project“, says Peter Lindbergh, who is excited about being a part of this year‘s campaign. The LIFE+ band-aid that Winslet, Patitz, and Thurman wear in the pictures is becoming a must- have; well-known Austrian personalities like Chancellor Christian Kern, National Assembly Speaker Doris Bures, City Councillor Renate Brauner, Cornelius Obonya, Karl Markovics, or Conchita Wurst already had their picture taken with the band-aid, as well. You also get one of them when you get tested for free and anonymously at one of the mobile test stations set up by LIFE+ in cooperation with the local AIDS Hilfen. In Austria, the campaign is published on May 22, 2017 with the help of strong partners. The Austrian public broadcaster ORF, for example, provides us with „social spots“ on TV, and radio station Ö3, together with Durex, supports the campaign with radio spots. Agentur KTHE around Rudi Kobza turned the expressive pictures into a billboard and ad campaign, which is displayed extensively in cooperation with GEWISTA. The Viennese transportation company Wiener Linien is also visually supporting the KNOW YOUR STATUS campaign: Until the end of the year, one tram with decorations matching the campaign will run. LIFE+, the association that organizes the Life Ball, is also supported by political entities, like the Federal Ministry of Health.

3

4

Making of Peter Lindbergh shooting

5

Mobile testing stations all over Austria

During the entire year, mobile testing stations will be used in cooperation with the local Aids Helps and partners. There, HIV tests are done quickly and without making a fuss, and afterward, you get one of the new LIFE+ band-aids.

May 22, 2017 LeMeridien, Vienna

May 24, 2017 Linz Pride, AEC Platz, Linz

May 27, 2017 CSD Tirol, Innsbruck

June 7–9, 2017 City Hall Square, Vienna

June 10, 2017 Life Ball, Vienna

June 14–17, 2017 German-Austrian AIDS Congress, Salzburg

June 13–16, 2017 Vienna Pride Village, Vienna The tests are free and anonymous.

„HIV-tests must become a matter of course, since not knowing your status is today’s biggest risk. This is why Aids Hilfen support the KNOW YOUR STATUS campaign with mobile testing stations all over Austria. Everybody can get HIV-tested anonymously and for free,” says Wolfgang Wilhelm, chairman of Aids Hilfe Wien.

For a continually updated list of testing stations, please visitlifeplus.org/know-your-status/

266

Alfons Haider

Doris Bures

Jazz Gitti

Sabine Oberhauser

DB SchenkerAlexander WinterSenior Vice President

7

Sonya Kraus

Tagträumer

Andreas Vitasek

Dorretta Carter

Julian Stöckel

Sandra Thier

Conchita Wurst

Gregor Seeberg

Oliver Stummvoll

Sophie Karmasin

Cornelius Obonya

Karl Markovics

Renate Brauner

BUWOG GroupDaniel Riedl

CEO

Partners and testimonials for the campaignLife Ball 2017 – KNOW YOUR STATUS:Awareness camping with the app “LIFE+ powered by T-Mobile”

According to the WHO, 46% of all people worldwide to not know their HIV-status and can therefore unknowingly infect others or not get essential treatment. The motto of this year’s Life Ball is “Recognize the Danger” and the event is dedicated to raise awareness for the importance of regular HIV-tests. The core element of this awareness campaign about HIV prevention and HIV treatment is the free app “LIFE+ powered by T-Mobile” for Android and iOS. T-Mobile provides this app to sustainably help people to know their immune status. Besides information about the Life Ball, the app also includes a reminder service for the user’s next HIV-test, route planner to find the next testing site of Aids Hilfe in Austria, and links to further information on the topic. T-Mo-bile donates 1 Euro per downloaded app to its long standing project partner Diversity Care Wien (home nursing services for people with HIV and AIDS), to the Austrian Aids Hilfe for mobile testing stations, and further international HIV/AIDS charity projects. For further information and downloading the app please to to www.t-mobile.at/lifeball.

8

Austrian Airlines

Austrian Airlines will once again fly prominent Life Ball guests, international celebrities and media representatives from New York to the Life Ball in Vienna. Approximately 200 VIPs will take the flight OS 1088 on June 9 2017 and arrive at Vienna Airport at 9:50 to attend the exclusive ball on June 10, 2017. Exclusive catering by DO & CO awaits the guests of this year’s Life Ball on board. After the mega-event, Austrian Airlines will bring the celebrities back to New York.

Austrian branded a Boeing 767 specially for this year’s Life Ball with financial support from Wien Tourismus.

Austrian Airlines is committed to its social and societal responsibility and supports social and charitable organizations, institutions, and projects of worldwide relevance. Life Ball is one of the projects that highlights the domestic airline’s commitment. Austrian has been bringing the many prominent supporters for the fight against AIDS to Vienna for 11 years now.

Wiener Linien

Wiener Linien visually support the KNOW YOUR STATUS campaign with a complete tram train styled with the visuals of the campaign. This “campaign train” will remain in service until the end of the year 2017. This tram will make its most exciting appearance on June 10: It will bring the 100 members of the Life Ball Family to the opening of the Life Ball, where they will be the first ones who stylishly walk down the red carpet in their sumptuous, flamboyant costumes.

9

#KNOWYOURSTATUS_LIFEBALL #KNOWYOURSTATUS_LIFEBALL

SCHÜTZEN SIE SICH UND ANDERE.

LASSEN SIE SICH TESTEN!

BRECHEN SIE MIT DEN TABUS.MACHEN SIE

EINEN HIV-TEST!

NUR WER SEINEN HIV-STATUS KENNT,

WEISS OB ER ANSTECKEND IST. © Peter Lindbergh 2017 © Peter Lindbergh 2017 © Peter Lindbergh 2017

ES NICHT ZU WISSEN, IST DAS RISIKO.

MACHEN SIE EINEN HIV-TEST!

VÖSLAUER

Prevention and awareness are the most important tools in the fight against the HI-Virus. This is exactly where the LIFE+ campaign “KNOW YOUR STATUS” comes in, because too many people have not been tested yet. Vöslauer is committed to supporting this initiative and hopes to generate awareness. This is why Vöslauer communicates the call to action and get tested on its 0.5l PET bottles. From the end of May until mid-June Vöslauer will encourage you to KNOW YOUR STATUS!

DB Schenker

This year‘s Life Ball motto „Recognize the Danger“ was inspired by artists form the 20s and 30s and it is supposed to appeal to all members of society to get to know their health status in due time, according to this year‘s topic „Know your status!“. Inspired by the Life Ball‘s motto, DB Schenker decorated the official DB Schenker Life Ball Truck 2017 with the picture „What‘s your move?“

Reliability and flexibility have always been characteristics of the cooperation between the Life Ball and DB Schenker, and they are also needed this year, because tons of set parts, stage elements, decorations, and costumes have to be transported to Vienna City Hall on time. DB Schenker‘s experts are always available for the people organizing the Life Ball and they will already start disassembling everything on City Hall Square at midnight, while the guests are still celebrating life inside the City Hall.

10

Limited Life Ball Wine Edition

This is already the seventh time that local wine producers are supporting the Life Ball at Vienna City Hall with their wines. On the initiative of GOMARIN (Gourmet Marketing International Ug.), the following wineries are committing to the good cause: JAHNER from Wildungsmauer, ROSENBER-GER from Palt, WIEDER from Neckenmarkt, and ZOTTL from Weißenkirchen. They spread the message for more solidarity and community among wine lovers all around the world and therefore help to create new ways toward an AIDS-free generation.

The labels were chosen during a competition in cooperation with the New Design University St. Pölten (NDU). More than 60 students submitted their creative projects. The winner was Katharina Fischer, who put her approach ‚Only those who know their status can make the right life choices‘ into an expressive design and got most votes for it. Marzek Etiketten, a company that has supported the project for many years, is responsible for printing the labels.

As a limited edition, the red and white wines, which have been specially bottled for the Life Ball, will be served at the Life Ball as well as other side events. They also have been available at the six wineries and on www.flowbox.at since April 20. Part of the proceeds goes to LIFE+ and therefore to important HIV/AIDS projects

11

Sponsors and partners of KNOW YOUR STATUS we kindly thank

Verein LIFE+Werdertorgasse 1 | A-1010 Vienna

Phone +43 1 5955600 | presse@lifeball.orgwww.lifeplus.org | www.lifeball.org | www.lifebible.org