Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ.
Go to
www.irs.gov/Form990 for instructions and the latest information.
| (i) Name of supported organization | (ii) EIN | (iii) Type of organization (described on lines 1- 10 above (see instructions)) | (iv) Is the organization listed in your governing document? | (v) Amount of monetary support (see instructions) | (vi) Amount of other support (see instructions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | |||||
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Total |
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Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
![]() |
(a) 2020 | (b) 2021 | (c) 2022 | (d) 2023 | (e) 2024 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grant.") .. | ||||||
| 2 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf .... | ||||||
| 3 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge.. | ||||||
| 4 | Total. Add lines 1 through 3 | ||||||
| 5 | The portion of total contributions by each person (other than a governmental unit or publicly supported organization) included on line 1 that exceeds 2% of the amount shown on line 11, column (f) .. | ||||||
| 6 | Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4. | ||||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
![]() |
(a) 2020 | (b) 2021 | (c) 2022 | (d) 2023 | (e) 2024 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Amounts from line 4.. | ||||||
| 8 | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources... | ||||||
| 9 | Net income from unrelated business activities, whether or not the business is regularly carried on.. | ||||||
| 10 | Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.).. | ||||||
| 11 | Total support. Add lines 7 through 10 | ||||||
Calendar year (or fiscal
year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2020 | (b) 2021 | (c) 2022 | (d) 2023 | (e) 2024 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") . | 79,344,770 | 24,138,936 | 30,948,559 | 35,098,218 | 37,709,285 | 207,239,768 |
| 2 | Gross receipts from admissions, merchandise sold or services performed, or facilities furnished in any activity that is related to the organization's tax-exempt purpose | 36,367,960 | 42,125,509 | 39,365,598 | 41,254,406 | 37,671,410 | 196,784,883 |
| 3 | Gross receipts from activities that are not an unrelated trade or business under section 513 ..... | ||||||
| 4 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf... | ||||||
| 5 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge | ||||||
| 6 | Total. Add lines 1 through 5 | 115,712,730 | 66,264,445 | 70,314,157 | 76,352,624 | 75,380,695 | 404,024,651 |
| 7a | Amounts included on lines 1, 2, and 3 received from disqualified persons | 207,850 | 205,450 | 199,150 | 182,409 | 187,556 | 982,415 |
| b | Amounts included on lines 2 and 3 received from other than disqualified persons that exceed the greater of $5,000 or 1% of the amount on line 13 for the year. | 7,159,908 | 20,670,868 | 13,678,767 | 15,916,607 | 14,851,029 | 72,277,179 |
| c | Add lines 7a and 7b.. | 7,367,758 | 20,876,318 | 13,877,917 | 16,099,016 | 15,038,585 | 73,259,594 |
| 8 | Public support. (Subtract line 7c from line 6.) | 330,765,057 | |||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
![]() |
(a) 2020 | (b) 2021 | (c) 2022 | (d) 2023 | (e) 2024 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Amounts from line 6... | 115,712,730 | 66,264,445 | 70,314,157 | 76,352,624 | 75,380,695 | 404,024,651 |
| 10a | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources.. | 495,757 | 608,999 | 1,809,127 | 2,733,108 | 3,203,359 | 8,850,350 |
| b | Unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 taxes) from businesses acquired after June 30, 1975. | ||||||
| c | Add lines 10a and 10b. | 495,757 | 608,999 | 1,809,127 | 2,733,108 | 3,203,359 | 8,850,350 |
| 11 | Net income from unrelated business activities not included on line 10b, whether or not the business is regularly carried on. | ||||||
| 12 | Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.) .. | 27 | 12,168 | 3,152 | 35 | 100 | 15,482 |
| 13 | Total support. (Add lines 9, 10c, 11, and 12.).. | 116,208,514 | 66,885,612 | 72,126,436 | 79,085,767 | 78,584,154 | 412,890,483 |
| Section A - Adjusted Net Income | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
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| 1 | Net short-term capital gain | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Other gross income (see instructions) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Add lines 1 through 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Depreciation and depletion | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Portion of operating expenses paid or incurred for production or collection of gross income or for management, conservation, or maintenance of property held for production of income (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Other expenses (see instructions) | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Adjusted Net Income (subtract lines 5, 6 and 7 from line 4) | 8 | ||||
| Section B - Minimum Asset Amount | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
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| 1 | Aggregate fair market value of all non-exempt-use assets (see instructions for short tax year or assets held for part of year): | 1 | ||||
| a | Average monthly value of securities | 1a | ||||
| b | Average monthly cash balances | 1b | ||||
| c | Fair market value of other non-exempt-use assets | 1c | ||||
| d | Total (add lines 1a, 1b, and 1c) | 1d | ||||
| e |
Discount claimed for blockage or other factors (explain in detail in Part VI): |
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| 2 | Acquisition indebtedness applicable to non-exempt use assets | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Subtract line 2 from line 1d | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Cash deemed held for exempt use. Enter 0.015 of line 3 (for greater amount, see instructions). | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Net value of non-exempt-use assets (subtract line 4 from line 3) | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Multiply line 5 by 0.035 | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Minimum Asset Amount (add line 7 to line 6) | 8 | ||||
| Section C - Distributable Amount | Current Year | |||||
| 1 | Adjusted net income for prior year (from Section A, line 8, Column A) | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Enter 85% of line 1 | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Minimum asset amount for prior year (from Section B, line 8, Column A) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Enter greater of line 2 or line 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Income tax imposed in prior year | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Distributable Amount. Subtract line 5 from line 4, unless subject to emergency temporary reduction (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| Section D - Distributions | Current Year | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Amounts paid to supported organizations to accomplish exempt purposes | 1 | |
|
2
Amounts paid to perform activity that directly furthers exempt purposes of supported organizations, in excess of income from activity |
2 | |
| 3 Administrative expenses paid to accomplish exempt purposes of supported organizations | 3 | |
| 4 Amounts paid to acquire exempt-use assets | 4 | |
| 5 Qualified set-aside amounts (prior IRS approval required - provide details in Part VI) | 5 | |
| 6 Other distributions (describe in Part VI). See instructions | 6 | |
| 7Total annual distributions. Add lines 1 through 6. | 7 | |
|
8
Distributions to attentive supported organizations to which the organization is responsive (provide details in Part VI). See instructions |
8 | |
| 9 Distributable amount for 2024 from Section C, line 6 | 9 | |
| 10 Line 8 amount divided by Line 9 amount | 10 | |
| Section E - Distribution Allocations (see instructions) |
(i) Excess Distributions |
(ii) Underdistributions Pre-2024 |
(iii) Distributable Amount for 2024 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Distributable amount for 2024 from Section C, line 6 | ||||
|
2
Underdistributions, if any, for years prior to 2024 (reasonable cause required-- explain in Part VI).
See instructions. |
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| 3 Excess distributions carryover, if any, to 2024: | ||||
| a From 2019....... | ||||
| b From 2020....... | ||||
| c From 2021....... | ||||
| d From 2022....... | ||||
| e From 2023....... | ||||
| fTotal of lines 3a through e | ||||
| g Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| h Applied to 2024 distributable amount | ||||
|
i
Carryover from 2019 not applied (see instructions) |
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| j Remainder. Subtract lines 3g, 3h, and 3i from line 3f. | ||||
| 4Distributions for 2024 from Section D, line 7: | ||||
| $ | ||||
| a Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| b Applied to 2024 distributable amount | ||||
| c Remainder. Subtract lines 4a and 4b from line 4. | ||||
|
5
Remaining underdistributions for years prior to 2024, if any. Subtract lines 3g and 4a from line 2. If the amount is greater than zero, explain in Part VI. See instructions. |
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|
6
Remaining underdistributions for 2024. Subtract lines 3h and 4b from line 1. If the amount is greater than zero, explain in Part VI. See instructions. |
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7 Excess distributions carryover to 2025. Add lines 3j and 4c. |
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| 8 Breakdown of line 7: | ||||
| a Excess from 2020..... | ||||
| b Excess from 2021..... | ||||
| c Excess from 2022..... | ||||
| d Excess from 2023..... | ||||
| e Excess from 2024..... | ||||
| Facts And Circumstances Test |
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| Return Reference | Explanation |
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| SCHEDULE A, PART III, LINE 12, EXPLANATION OF OTHER INCOME: | MISCELLANEOUS INCOME - 2020 AMOUNT: $ 27. 2021 AMOUNT: $ 12,168. 2022 AMOUNT: $ 3,152. 2023 AMOUNT: $ 35. 2024 AMOUNT: $ 100. |
| Software ID: | |
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| Return Reference | Explanation |
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| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A: | FUNDING PARTNERS SUPPORT CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGNS SUBJECT TO AD COUNCIL'S CONTENT REVIEW, FINANCIAL CONTROLS, AND EXEMPT-PURPOSE REQUIREMENTS. ANY GOVERNMENT-SUPPORTED WORK IS ADMINISTERED CONSISTENTLY WITH APPLICABLE GRANT, CONTRACT, AND CHARITABLE-USE REQUIREMENTS. IN FY25, THE AD COUNCIL SECURED $1 BILLION IN DONATED MEDIA SUPPORT ACROSS DIGITAL, TELEVISION, RADIO, PRINT AND OUTOFHOME PLATFORMS ON BEHALF OF OUR SPONSORS' CAMPAIGNS. THIS SUSTAINED LEVEL OF NATIONAL VISIBILITY ENSURES CRITICAL MESSAGES REACH BROAD AUDIENCES, MAXIMIZING AWARENESS AND ENGAGEMENT. DONATED MEDIA IS USED TO DISSEMINATE NONPARTISAN PUBLIC SERVICE MESSAGES FOR CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES. THE AD COUNCIL'S CAMPAIGNS ARE DESIGNED TO INSPIRE ACTION AND ACCELERATE CHANGE. WE APPLY RIGOROUS RESEARCH, DATA DRIVEN STRATEGIES, AND ONGOING OPTIMIZATION TO INCREASE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF EVERY CAMPAIGN. THIS YEAR, WE EXPANDED OUR NETWORK OF CREATIVE, DIGITAL, MOBILE, TRUSTED MESSENGERS AND TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS TO DEEPEN AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT AND STRENGTHEN OUR ABILITY TO PROVIDE INFORMATION INTENDED TO INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS, UNDERSTANDING, AND INFORMED DECISION-MAKING. THE AD COUNCIL'S NEARLY 30 ACTIVE CAMPAIGNS ADDRESS COMMUNITY AND OPPORTUNITY, EARLY DETECTION AND PREVENTIVE HEALTH, FIREARM INJURY PREVENTION, MENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY. COLLECTIVELY, THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF OUR CREATIVE PARTNERS, MEDIA SUPPORTERS AND PHILANTHROPIC DONORS MAKE THESE EFFORTS POSSIBLEENSURING THAT LIFE CHANGING INFORMATION AND RESOURCES REACH MILLIONS OF PEOPLE EVERY YEAR. NOTABLE CAMPAIGN RESULTS IN FY25 INCLUDE: YOUTH FIREARM INJURY PREVENTION AMONG PARENTS AWARE OF THE WORK, 71 PERCENT REPORT HAVING HAD A CONVERSATION ABOUT THIS NONPARTISAN SAFETY EDUCATION COMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM FOCUSED ON REDUCING ACCIDENTAL YOUTH FIREARM INJURIES AND DEATHS. ADULT MENTAL HEALTH SEVENTYSIX PERCENT OF ADULTS WHO ARE AWARE OF OUR CAMPAIGN REPORT THAT TAKING CARE OF THEIR MENTAL HEALTH IS A TOP PRIORITY. SKILLS-FIRST HIRING HIRING PRACTICES ARE INCREASINGLY SHIFTING TOWARD SKILLS-FIRST VERSUS DEGREE-FIRST HIRING. YOUTH VAPING PREVENTION PARENTS WHO HAVE SEEN OUR CAMPAIGN WORK ARE 10% MORE LIKELY TO PRIORITIZE TALKING TO THEIR CHILD ABOUT THE DANGERS OF VAPING. WILDLIFE PREVENTION SMOKEY BEAR IS THE FACE OF THE LONGEST RUNNING PSA CAMPAIGN IN AMERICAN HISTORY. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B | I) A COPY WAS PROVIDED TO THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS; II) THE 990 WAS PROVIDED ELECTRONICALLY; III) THE AD COUNCIL PROVIDES SCHEDULES TO AN OUTSIDE ACCOUNTING FIRM WHO PREPARES ITS FORM 990. THE FIRM HAS AN ESTABLISHED REVIEW PROCESS TO ENSURE THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IS COMPREHENSIVE AND TRUTHFUL: THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, THE AUDIT COMMITTEE HAS OPPORTUNITIES TO DISCUSS AND COMMENT ON THE FORM 990 DURING THEIR REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETINGS. PRIOR TO FILING THE FINAL DRAFT (ELECTRONIC VERSION) OF THE FORM 990 IT IS PROVIDED TO THE AUDIT COMMITTEE. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C | ALL BOARD MEMBERS, EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS RECEIVE THE CODE OF CONDUCT AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AND ARE REQUIRED TO SIGN THE POLICY. SIGNED FORMS ARE MAINTAINED BOTH WITHIN THE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT (FOR BOARD MEMBERS) AND WITHIN THE HR DEPARTMENT (FOR EMPLOYEES). AD COUNCIL REQUIRES THAT ANY MEMBER REPORT IN WRITING ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST THAT ARISES IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER: 1) MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SHALL DISCLOSE ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD; 2) EMPLOYEES SHALL DISCLOSE ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST TO THE CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER; AND 3) VOLUNTEERS SHALL DISCLOSE ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST TO THE AD COUNCIL'S CEO OR CFO. THE EXISTENCE OF A POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST DOES NOT NECESSARILY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY. THE POLICY REQUIRES DISCLOSURE AND REVIEW OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS AND PROHIBITION OF ACTUAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. IN SOME CASES, DISCLOSURE MAY BE ALL THAT IS REQUIRED. IN OTHER CASES, THE SITUATION MAY REQUIRE ADDITIONAL ACTION TO AVOID AN ACTUAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST OR TO REMEDY ONE. WHERE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST ARISES, AN INTERESTED COVERED PARTY SHALL ABSTAIN FROM DELIBERATIONS AND REFRAIN FROM PARTICIPATING IN ANY DECISIONS OR VOTING IN CONNECTION WITH THE MATTER. THE CODE OF CONDUCT AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY IS REVIEWED ANNUALLY. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 | APPROXIMATELY EVERY FOUR YEARS, THE AD COUNCIL HIRES AN INDEPENDENT CONSULTING FIRM TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE COMPENSATION STUDY. THE STUDY IS CONDUCTED TO ASSESS THE EXTERNAL COMPETITIVENESS OF THE AD COUNCIL'S CURRENT TOTAL PAY, DEVELOP COMPARABLE MARKET BASE SALARY AND TOTAL PAY SUMMARY STATISTICS AND AUDIT, AND RECOMMEND CHANGES TO THE AD COUNCIL'S EMPLOYEE INCENTIVE PLAN. THE MOST RECENT COMPREHENSIVE STUDY WAS PERFORMED IN SEPTEMBER 2021 WHICH INCLUDED AN UPDATED COMPENSATION DESIGN AND SALARY STRUCTURE. THE INFORMATION GATHERED FROM THESE STUDIES IS USED TO HELP INFORM THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE. THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE IS COMPRISED OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, THE THREE VICE CHAIRS AND THE HEAD OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE. THE COMMITTEE MEETS AT LEAST ANNUALLY TO REVIEW AND ESTABLISH THE TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE (BASE SALARY AND INCENTIVE GOALS) FOR THE PRESIDENT AND CEO AND CHIEFS. THE COMMITTEE ALSO REVIEWS AND APPROVES THE TOTAL INCENTIVE PAYOUT FOR THE ENTIRE ORGANIZATION. THIS ENTIRE PROCESS IS CONTEMPORANEOUSLY DOCUMENTED IN MEETING MINUTES. FISCAL YEAR 2025 COMPENSATION REVIEW WAS PERFORMED IN OCTOBER 2024. OTHER KEY EMPLOYEES ARE ADDRESSED IN THE COMPENSATION STUDY AND THIS COMPARATIVE DATA IS USED AS A PART OF THE PROCESS WHERE THE CEO, CFO, HR, AND DEPARTMENT HEADS REVIEW AND APPROVE THE COMPENSATION PACKAGE FOR EACH EMPLOYEE ANNUALLY. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 | GOVERNING DOCUMENTS (BY-LAWS) AND/OR CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CAN BE FOUND ON THE AD COUNCIL'S WEBSITE: WWW.ADCOUNCIL.ORG. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, LINE 2: | THE AD COUNCIL'S BUSINESS MODEL INCLUDES THE SERVICES OF A PRO BONO ADVERTISING AGENCY FOR EACH OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT CAMPAIGNS ("CAMPAIGNS") THAT THE AD COUNCIL CREATES AND DISTRIBUTES FOR ITS GOVERNMENT AND NON-PROFIT CLIENTS. AMONGST THESE VOLUNTEER AD AGENCIES ARE SEVERAL AGENCIES THAT HAVE OFFICERS WHO ALSO SIT ON THE AD COUNCIL BOARD. THE PRO BONO ADVERTISING AGENCIES ARE APPROVED BY THE CLIENT PRIOR TO THEIR SELECTION. THESE AGENCIES DONATE THEIR LABOR TO THE CAMPAIGN, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF CERTAIN PRE-AUTHORIZED SPECIALIZED TASKS WHICH ARE OFFERED AT DISCOUNTED RATES. THE AD COUNCIL AND ITS CLIENTS PAY FOR PRE-APPROVED OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS INCURRED IN THE COURSE OF PERFORMANCE FOR THESE SPECIFIC CAMPAIGNS. THESE REIMBURSED COSTS INCLUDE PHYSICAL PRODUCTION, TRAVEL, THIRD PARTY RESEARCH, TELEPHONE, POSTAGE AND CERTAIN OTHER COSTS OF CREATING, PRODUCING, AND DISTRIBUTING THESE CAMPAIGNS. ADDITIONALLY, THE AD COUNCIL UTILIZES THE SERVICES OF SPECIALIZED VENDORS FOR THE CAMPAIGNS THAT OFTEN PROVIDE DISCOUNTED AND NON-PROFIT RATES TO THE AD COUNCIL. AMONGST THESE SPECIALIZED VENDORS ARE SEVERAL BUSINESSES THAT HAVE OFFICERS WHO ALSO SIT ON THE AD COUNCIL BOARD. THE AD COUNCIL ALSO HAS SEVERAL REGIONAL EMPLOYEES WHO WORK OUT OF DONATED OFFICE SPACE FROM COMPANIES THAT HAVE OFFICERS WHO SIT ON THE AD COUNCIL BOARD. THESE OFFICE COSTS ARE ACCOUNTED FOR AS IN-KIND USE OF FACILITIES. |
| FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 9: | ACTUARIAL CHANGE IN POST RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS -377. |
| FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C: | THE AD COUNCIL HAS AN AUDIT COMMITTEE THAT ASSUMES RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE OVERSIGHT OF THE AUDIT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FOR THE SELECTION OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS. THIS PROCESS HAS NOT CHANGED FROM THE PRIOR YEAR. |
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