JANUARY

The month starts off with the beginning of a New Year – stories of hope, self-improvement and new beginnings will be top of mind. 

• National Cancer Prevention Month
• Family Fit Lifestyle Month
• Financial Wellness Month
• National Mentoring Month
• New Year’s Day – Sunday, January 1
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – Monday, January 16
• Chinese New Year – Year of the Dragon – Monday, January 23 

FEBRUARY

Love, dating, what to do with or without that special someone on Valentine’s Day and how to keep your heart happy and healthy are top of the list for topics this month. 

• FEBRUARY SWEEPS – Thursday, February 2 – Wednesday, February 29
• American Heart Month
• National Black History Month
• Groundhog Day, Thursday, February 2
• Super Bowl XLVI, Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis) – Sunday, February 5
• 54th Annual Grammy Awards – Sunday, February 12
• Valentine’s Day – Tuesday, February 14
• President’s Day – Monday, February 20
• Fat Tuesday – Tuesday, February 21
• 84th Annual Academy Awards - Sunday, February 26 

MARCH

Spring has sprung, which makes this the perfect time to help consumers get in shape for summer and maybe even get their lives in shape with some spring cleaning and organizing tips.  And, don’t forget this is the time to offer money-saving tax tips to consumers.

• American Red Cross Month
• National Kidney Month
• National MS Education and Awareness Month
• National Talk with Your Teen About Sex Month
• Women’s History Month
• Daylight Savings Time Begins/Spring Forward – Sunday, March 11
• St. Patrick’s Day – Saturday, March 17
• First Day of Spring – Tuesday, March 20

APRIL

It’s not too late to provide consumers with last-minute tax tips that could save hundreds of dollars with Uncle Sam.  And, since summer is just around the corner – it is the perfect time to talk about how to get in shape for bathing suit season and give a preview of new summer fashions and trends.  Now is also good time to start planning segments for the summer.

• Alcohol Awareness Month
• Cancer Control Month
• Soy Foods Month
• Month of the Young Child
• National Child Abuse Prevention Month
• April Fool’s Day – Sunday, April 1
• First Day of Passover – Friday, April 6
• Easter – Sunday, April 8
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• Tax Return Deadline – Tuesday, April 17
• Earth Day – Sunday, April 22
• Take our Daughters & Sons to Work – Thursday, April 26
Fourth anniversary of Virginia Tech shootings – Monday, April 16

MAY

Summer is just around the corner, which means that it is the ideal time to let people know how important sun protection is in preventing skin cancer.  And, with everyone opening pools across the country it is imperative that parents know all there is to know about pool safety.   This is prom season as well – so parents are looking for stories about teen fashion as well as how to talk to their teens about drinking.  Most importantly – don’t forget Mother’s Day – any feature having to do with moms is a great fit in May – but start planning early, there will be heavy competition.  And, May is a big sweeps month so keep that in mind when deciding which tactic to use.

• MAY SWEEPS – Thursday, April 26 – Wednesday, May 23
• National Stroke Awareness Month
• Family Wellness Month
• Melanoma/Skin Protection and Awareness Month
• National Arthritis Month
• National Allergy/Asthma Awareness Month
• Cinco de Mayo – Saturday, May 5
• Mother’s Day – Sunday, May 13
• Memorial Day – Monday, May 28

JUNE/JULY (SUMMER)

Wedding season has begun, school is out for the summer and gardens are in full bloom.  Stations will be looking for stories about how to plan a stress-free family vacation, how to keep kids occupied during the long summer days (especially if it’s raining) as well as how to keep your grass green and your garden growing.  Not to mention what to get for dad this Father’s Day.  Interviews about summer safety tips (firework safety, pool safety, etc.) are also a great way to get your message out.

 

June

• Cancer from the Sun Month
• Healthy Vision Month
• National Safety Month
• Firework Safety Months (June & July)
• Flag Day – Thursday, June 14
• Father’s Day – Sunday, June 17
• First Day of Summer – Wednesday, June 20

 

July

• JULY SWEEPS – Thursday, June 28 – Wednesday, July 25
• National Recreation and Park Month
• Bioterrorism/Disaster Education and Awareness Month
• National Hot Dog Month
• Independence Day – Wednesday, July 4