ADORABLE NEW ‘AVATAR THE LAST AIRBENDER’ ARRIVES IN ALL-NEW ALL-AGES LINE
Dark Horse Books and Nickelodeon are pleased to reveal a new line of books for the smallest fans of Avatar: the Last Airbender in the upcoming book line Avatar: The Last Airbender—Chibi, launching September 2021!
Avatar: The Last Airbender—Chibi launches with "Aang’s Unfreezing Day". When Aang was frozen in an iceberg for a hundred years, he managed to forget his birthday! Luckily his friends Katara, Toph, Sokka, and Zuko plan to surprise him with a new special day to celebrate. But they’ll have to be careful while they prepare--it’s a surprise!
Celebrated children’s author and illustrator Kelly Leigh Miller (I am a Wolf; I Love My Fangs) teams with Avatar fandom favorite artist Diana Sim - a Seneca College graduate who has gained an online following for her Avatar/Korra fan art - to bring young Avatar fans and their families this heartwarming tale of love, celebration, and friendship, in collaboration with Nickelodeon and Avatar: The Last Airbender animated series writer Tim Hedrick, who also served as a consultant on several Dark Horse Avatar and Legend of Korra comics.
Avatar: The Last Airbender -- Chibi Vol. 1: Aang’s Unfreezing Day arrives September 7, 2021 and is available for pre-order now through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and your local comic shops. Follow NickALive! for more Avatar: The Last Airbender—Chibi announcements and reveals!
The announcement comes in the wake of this week’s news that Nickelodeon have created Avatar Studios, a division headed by series creators Michael DeMartino and Bryan Konietzko, that will produce new films and TV shows set in the world of Avatar. A theatrical animated film is due to begin production later this year, while other projects are planned for the streaming service Paramount+, and even more platforms.
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After Blue declared that the Letter P stands for Pride in a recent Blue's Clues & You! video, fans have been wondering whether the pup and Magenta were more than BFFs. Although Nickelodeon has yet to confirm or deny the rumors, a recent post on Nick Jr. UK & Ireland's official social media channels to celebrate Valentine's Day does seem to strongly suggest that Blugenta is cannon!
Blue & Magenta (or Blugenta) is the ultimate ship!
Whilst the image doesn't confirm that Blue, who happens to be a girl pup, and Magenta are a couple, it does hint that the pair are part of the LGBTQ+ community. If this is the case, it's fantastic that Nickelodeon are including more LGBTQ+ characters in their programming, which will help teach kids that it's perfectly okay to be part of the LGBTQ+ community! Reprsentation matters!
Broadway actor Joshua Dela Cruz stars as the host of Blue's Clues & You, succeeding original Blue's Clues hosts Steve Burns (Steve) and Donovan Patton (Joe). In the show, Cruz plays Josh, Steve and Joe's cousin. Both Burns and Patton appear regularly in the revival, reprising their respective roles.
Nickelodeon, as a network, voiced support for the LGBTQ community in the past. Last year, Nick Jr. shared a lesson over its social media platforms so kids could understand the meaning of the LGBTQ flag.
Nickelodeon proper also shared a tweet that caught attention as it appeared to confirm SpongeBob SquarePants to be a member of the LGBTQ community with Korra from The Legend of Korra and Schwoz Schwartz from Henry Danger and Danger Force. Michael D. Cohen, who plays Schwartz, revealed in a interview with Time in 2019 that he had transitioned 20 years ago.
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Classic Rugrats Comic Strip for February 26, 2021 | Nickelodeon
Rugrats, provided to Creators Syndicate by Nickelodeon, based off the popular animated television series has been created for children and family's to laugh and enjoy together.
Follow these comics and their take on real episodes of the show and their own spin on hilarious adventures.
11:00 p.m. - Blue's Show and Tell Surprise: Sharpen your pencils, because Josh and Blue are going to school! While Blue and her friends go through their school day, we play Blue’s Clues to figure out what Blue wants to share at Show and Tell. (#213)
11:30 p.m. - Swinging in the Rainforest!: City-slicker umbrella sellers Molly and Gil set up shop in the Amazon rainforest, but howler monkeys take all their merchandise! With the help of the other guppies, they use their knowledge of the Amazon to track down their umbrellas. (#517)
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Peppa Pig Visits the USA! | Amazing America | Nick Jr.
Peppa Pig and her family are going to America! They tour New York, travel to Hollywood, star in Super Potato's new movie, and more! Join Peppa Pig on her journey of the USA, Friday, March 5, 2021 at 8:00 a.m. (ET/PT), only on Nickelodeon! Click here for all the info!
Leading up to the four-part special, Nickelodeon will air "Best of Peppasodes" all week long, Monday through Thursday, March 4, at 8 a.m. ET/PT!
Originally published: Wednesday, February 24, 2021.
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SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS: BATTLE FOR BIKINI BOTTOM - REHYDRATED MOBILE IS AVAILABLE NOW
HIT GAME'S MOBILE PORT RELEASES TODAY ON THE APPLE APPSTORE AND GOOGLE PLAY
Giebelstadt, Germany, January 21st, 2021:
Are you ready? SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated is the latest entertainment software blockbuster featuring the world's most beloved deep-sea critters to be ported to iOS and Android devices. THQ Nordic family member HandyGames teamed up with Nickelodeon to develop and publish this premium title. That means the purchase includes the full experience with no hidden pay-walls, pay-to-win, or ads.
SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated is available now on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Play as SpongeBob, Patrick, and Sandy in the remake of this fan-favorite title and battle raging robots with bubble-blasting abilities. Each of the playable characters has their own unique skill set to curb Plankton's evil plan to steal the secret Krabby Patty formula. Run, bounce, and underpants-bungee-jump through Bikini Bottom and meet countless characters from the beloved television series.
The battle is on!
SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated Mobile is out now and priced at $9.99 / €9.99 / £8.99
About SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated Mobile:
The SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated mobile port features all of the irreverent humor and Bikini Bottom adventures found in the PC and console game available at iOS and Google users’ fingertips. Originally released in 2003 and remade (some say with the help of a secret formula) in 2020, the Battle for Bikini Bottom is a cult-classic game featuring high-end visuals, modern resolutions, and carefully polished gameplay. In the mobile version, the controls have been meticulously optimized for devices with touch screens, with a controller also available.
Features:
Play as SpongeBob, Patrick, and Sandy and use their unique skills
Curb Plankton's evil scheme to rule Bikini Bottom with his army of rusty robots
Experience memorable encounters with countless characters from the series
Enjoy overhauled visuals for modern devices and polished controls for a marvelous mobile experience
Play with a gamepad thanks to full controller support
Revel in childhood memories with the characters' original voices from the TV series
SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom // Mobile // 30s TV Spot // HandyGames
#SpongeBob #BfBB #BattleForBikiniBottom
SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated is available now as a premium title on the Apple AppStore and Google Play.
After the outstanding success of SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated on PC and consoles, THQ Nordic family member HandyGames teamed up with Nickelodeon to bring this unique experience to Android as a premium title without microtransactions or any hidden paywalls. You pay once and play the full game to your heart's content.
The world's most beloved sea dweller is getting ready to save Bikini Bottom on your mobile device, and he brought all his friends (and enemies) to join in on the fun. Prepare yourself, for there is evil afoot!
The spongetacular remake of this fan-favorite title will have you battle raging robots with your bubble-blasting abilities and show the evil Plankton once and for all that the secret formula belongs to no one other than Mr. Krabs himself. Play as SpongeBob, Patrick, and Sandy and use each one's unique set of skills. Run, bounce, and underpants-bungee-jump your way through Bikini Bottom and meet countless characters from the beloved TV series. The battle is on!
NICKELODEON AND ENTERTAINMENT ONE PARTNER ON ORIGINAL ANIMATED TRANSFORMERS SERIES, BASED ON HASBRO’S ICONIC GLOBAL FRANCHISE
BURBANK, Calif. - February 25, 2021 - Nickelodeon, the number-one network for kids, and Hasbro’s Entertainment One (eOne) have partnered to co-produce an original animated Transformers series (26 half-hour episodes), based on the iconic global property. In the action-comedy series, a new species of Transformers must find their place and purpose among Autobots, Decepticons, and the human family that adopts them. The series will premiere exclusively on Nickelodeon in the U.S. before rolling out internationally.
“As soon as I read the creative concept, which at its core is about family, I knew we absolutely had to tell this story with our good friends at eOne and Hasbro,” said Ramsey Naito, President, Nickelodeon Animation. “The series will tell a reimagined story featuring both original characters and fan-favorites for a whole new generation of kids and families. The creative team at Nick, overseen by Claudia Spinelli, SVP of Animation Development, can’t wait to get started on building this new world.”
“We’re thrilled to be working with Nickelodeon to expand the Transformers animated universe and bring an all-new more than meets the eye story to life,” said Olivier Dumont, eOne’s President of Family Brands. “This new series is a fresh creative take on the brand, which will excite longtime fans around the world and soon to be fans alike, all being introduced to the robots in disguise by an A list creative team led by eOne’s Mikiel Houser.”
Hasbro launched Transformers in 1984 as a toy line and animated series. Its success led to an animated movie in 1986, many future toy lines, and a series of live-action movies.
The all-new animated Transformers series is executive produced by Ant Ward (Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), and Nicole Dubuc (Transformers: Rescue Bots) and developed and co-executive produced by Dale Malinowski (Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles). Produced by Nickelodeon Animation Studio, the series is developed for television by Spinelli and Dana Vasquez-Eberhardt, Senior Director, Current Series and Development, Animation. Production will be overseen for Nickelodeon by Conrad Montgomery, Vice President, Current Series, Animation and for eOne by Mikiel Houser, Director of TV Development.
The forthcoming Transformers co-production is part of Nickelodeon’s strategy to be the home of the biggest franchises kids and families love, and it expands Nickelodeon’s growing portfolio of influential properties that already includes SpongeBob SquarePants, PAW Patrol, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Blue’s Clues & You!, the first-ever SpongeBob spinoff, Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years, the all-new animated Star Trek: Prodigy series and the recently announced The Smurfs partnership.
About Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon, now in its 41st year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The brand includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, digital, location-based experiences, publishing and feature films. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of ViacomCBS Inc. (Nasdaq: VIACA, VIAC).
About Entertainment One
Entertainment One Ltd. (eOne) is a talent-driven independent studio that specializes in the development, acquisition, production, financing, distribution and sales of entertainment content. As part of global play and entertainment company Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS), eOne's expertise spans across film, television and music production and sales; family programming, merchandising and licensing; digital content; and live entertainment. Through its extensive reach and scale, and a deep commitment to high-quality entertainment, eOne unlocks the power and value of creativity. eOne brings to market both original and existing content, sourcing IP from Hasbro’s portfolio of 1500+ brands, and through a diversified network of creative partners and eOne companies.
About Hasbro
Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS) is a global play and entertainment company committed to Creating the World's Best Play and Entertainment Experiences. From toys, games and consumer products to television, movies, digital gaming, live action, music, and virtual reality experiences, Hasbro connects to global audiences by bringing to life great innovations, stories and brands across established and inventive platforms. Hasbro’s iconic brands include NERF, MAGIC: THE GATHERING, MY LITTLE PONY, TRANSFORMERS, PLAY-DOH, MONOPOLY, BABY ALIVE, POWER RANGERS, PEPPA PIG and PJ MASKS, as well as premier partner brands. Through its global entertainment studio, eOne, Hasbro is building its brands globally through great storytelling and content on all screens. Hasbro is committed to making the world a better place for all children and all families through corporate social responsibility and philanthropy. Hasbro ranked among the 2020 100 Best Corporate Citizens by 3BL Media, has been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® by Ethisphere Institute for the past ten years, and one of America’s Most JUST Companies by Forbes and JUST Capital for the past four years. We routinely share important business and brand updates on our Investor Relations website, Newsroom and social channels (@Hasbro on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.)
A new era is about to dawn on the Avatar: The Last Airbender franchise. It was made official that Nickelodeon is expanding the Avatarverse. The news was confirmed during a ViacomCBS presentation for investors, and fans were immediately intrigued by the idea of an Avatar Expanded Universe. And now, one of the franchise's creators is gushing over the idea with fans.
Taking to Facebook, Michael Dante DiMartino shared his support for the projects after the news went live. The creator confirmed he will be a co-chief creative officer with Bryan Konietzko, the other creator behind Avatar. The two are working with Nickelodeon to make the Avatar-verse, and DiMartino is understandably hyped for the project.
"It’s hard to believe it’s been 19 years since we created Avatar: The Last Airbender. But even after all that time, there are still many stories and time periods in Aang’s world that we are eager to bring to life. We are fortunate to have an ever-growing community of passionate fans that enjoys exploring the Avatarverse as much as we do. And with this new Avatar Studios venture we have an unparalleled opportunity to develop our franchise and its storytelling on a vast scale, in myriad exciting ways and mediums," the creator shared with fans.
"We are exceedingly grateful to Brian Robbins and Ramsey Naito for their enthusiasm and respect for the Avatar property and us as its stewards. From the start, they’ve supported our ambitious plans and created a positive, proactive environment for us. We’re excited to be back at Nickelodeon where Avatar began, doing what we do best in the biggest way possible. We can’t wait to build the great teams and productions to make all of this fantasy a reality."
According to initial reports, the first project to be handled by Avatar Studios will be a movie. The film has kept details close to the chest so far, but fans are ecstatic to return to the franchise with its original creators on board. And if Aang happens to make a comeback along the way, well - that is all the better!
Netflix's live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender series won't be part of Avatar Studios.
How do you feel about this franchise comeback? Which other Avatar stories would you like to see hit the screen? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
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The San Marino midcentury-modern home of the late SpongeBob SquarePants creator Stephen Hillenburg is on the market for $4 million.
The San Marino home of the late “SpongeBob SquarePants” creator Stephen Hillenburg is listed at $4 million. (Composite by Sandra Barrera, Southern California News Group; Inset: Craig Matthew/Nickelodeon; House: Cameron Carothers)
Located at 030 Canon Drive, San Marino, CA, 91108, the house is was designed by Case Study architectural firm Buff, Straub and Hensman in 1959. Later remodeled, the 3,795-square-foot post and beam known as the Thompson-Moseley House has four bedrooms and bathrooms, a walk-in bar hideaway and vast expanses of glass.
Floor-to-ceiling glass walls, clerestory windows and skylights flood the interior with light. Despite all of the glass, the house sits on a slight knoll on a half-plus-acre lot secluded from the neighbors by mature trees.
A lap pool and a detached guesthouse and art studio fit the backyard.
Inside the main residence, a large brick fireplace with a raised hearth anchors the living room. There’s a smaller fireplace in the den.
The home is one of the hundreds designed by the Pasadena-based partnership of Conrad Buff III, Calvin C. Straub and Donald Hensman, whose most famous design is Case Study House #20B (the Saul Bass House) in Altadena, built in 1958.
Hillenburg and his wife, Karen, bought the house in 2006 for $2.5 million, property records show. They then brought in L.A.-based architectural firm Space International for a 21st-century update to the property.
Improvements included a new open kitchen and an expanded master suite, which encapsulates an entire wing of the house and offers garden views from the bedroom and spa-like bathroom.
The addition of light grey stone, reclaimed end-block oak flooring and white oak built-ins keep with the original mid-century design.
George Penner of Deasy Penner Podley holds the listing. The properties official website, http://1030canon.com offers a virtual walkthrough of the home, with an option to view the tour in Virtual Reality (VR) mode (Oculus Quest recommended). Interested parties can schedule a viewing at http://1030canon.com.
Below is the property's official listing:
"1030 Canon Drive, San Marino
For Sale $4,000,000 4 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 3795 Sqft 23247 Lot
The Thompson Moseley House | Quintessential 1959 Buff, Straub & Hensman Post and Beam
Gently sited on more than half an acre on a slight knoll, The Thompson Moseley House, built in 1959 - represents the pivotal and seminal early pitched roof “post and beam” work by Buff, Straub & Hensman. Exceptional restoration, true to its original design and modernized by Space Int’l, it capitalizes on today’s desired style of living - with added light, generous and open public entertaining spaces, a captivating master suite, chefs kitchen and walk-in bar hideaway. Materials include dovetailed white oak built-ins, light grey stone and reclaimed “end-block” oak flooring. The primary residence includes three bedrooms and baths. Integration with the outdoors, including multiple lounge areas and picturesque landscaping in both the front and back yards, is seamless. The home’s glass expanses offer both vignettes and access points—many directed towards the swimmer’s pool. The two ancillary structures include a guest house with bath, and separate studio. Recipient of numerous AIA awards. Landscape design by Kathleen Ferguson. Pasadena and DTLA proximity. Blue Ribbon San Marino school system."
These Avatar: The Last Airbender sneakers are officially licensed from Nickelodeon, and feature a design that's inspired by Aang and the Air Nomads. The bold yellow and red/orange colors on the sneakers are accented with blue elements that include the arrow tattoo on the tongue, the Air Nomad symbol on the side, and the laces.
The Avatar: The Last Airbender sneakers are available to order here at Fun.com (exclusive) for $39.99 in unisex sizes that range from 5 to 12 for men and 7 to 14 for women. If these sneakers are anything like the Beetlejuice sneakers that Fun launched back in November, they will sell out quickly, so grab a pair in your size while you can. Fun's entire collection of Avatar: The Last Airbender gear can be found here.
For those who are unfamiliar, Avatar: The Last Airbender was originally created by Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko for Nickelodeon in 2005. The series is set in world people can manipulate the elements of Earth, Water, Fire, and Air, and they lived peacefully in different regions until one of the regions started a world war.
One master who can manipulate all four elements, dubbed the "Avatar," had been able to prevent this war, but disappeared soon after. 100 years later, a new Avatar named Aang awakens and sets out on a journey to master all the elements in order to bring peace to the land once more. The Legend of Korra takes place takes place 70 years after the events of its predecessor, following the next Avatar, a young girl named Korra from the Southern Water Tribe.
The stories of both Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra have continued on in graphic novel series.
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One of the most anticipated new series on Paramount+, iCarly, is undergoing a behind-the-scenes leadership change, Deadline reports.
Jay Kogen has stepped down as executive producer and co-showrunner on the new iteration of the 2007 Nickelodeon comedy. Fellow executive producer/co-showrunner Ali Schouten remains on board; it is unclear whether the series will bring in a new co-showrunner.
According to sources, comedy veteran Kogen and iCarly star Miranda Cosgrove did not click creatively, and those creative differences ultimately led to his departure.
Kogen confirmed the news on Twitter: "Now that the news is out I can say I'm sadly no longer trying to make iCarly a show worth watching. But the work I did has given the show a foundation. I wish them the best."
iCarly is described by Paramount+ as a new chapter for the most successful kids’ sitcom of all time, where original cast members Miranda Cosgrove, Nathan Kress and Jerry Trainor join new friends for a look at these characters’ present-day lives, adventures and comedic mishaps.
The original iCarly series, produced by Nickelodeon, ran from 2007-2012. Starring Cosgrove, Trainor, Kress and Jennette McCurdy, it followed a group of best friends creating a webcast while grappling with everyday problems and adventures. During its original run, iCarly became a pop-culture staple and regularly broke viewership records among audiences of all ages. Nickelodeon also is producing the revival for ViacomCBS’ streaming services Paramount+, which officially launches March 4.
Kogen previously worked with Nickelodeon on the comedy series School of Rock and created/executive produced the Nick at Nite series Wendell and Vinnie, starring Trainor. He recently served as a consulting producer on another YA sitcom revival for a new streaming platform, Peacock’s Punky Brewster. His credits also include The Simpsons and Frasier.
Paramount+ is slated to premiere the "re-imagined" iCarly series later this year.
The Ad Council and COVID Collaborative Reveal ‘It’s Up To You’ Campaigns to Educate Millions of Americans about COVID-19 Vaccines
Major brands, media companies, community-based organizations, faith leaders and other trusted messengers to extend reach of message across all channels with a focus on Black and Hispanic communities, who have been hit hardest by the pandemic
New York, NY, February 25, 2021 – The Ad Council and COVID Collaborative today revealed the platform for their COVID-19 Vaccine Education Initiative, “It’s Up To You.” Representing one of the largest public education efforts in U.S. history, more than 300 major brands, media companies, community-based organizations, faith leaders, medical experts and other trusted messengers are supporting the campaigns designed to reach distinct audiences. These partners include Adobe, Apple, Bishop T. D. Jakes, Black Information Network, Facebook, FOX Entertainment, Google/YouTube, iHeartMedia, John Leguizamo, NAACP, NBCUniversal, Pandora/SiriusXM/SoundCloud, Sanjay Gupta, Telemundo, UnidosUS, ViacomCBS and more.
Created in close partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ensuring all “It’s Up To You” messaging is rigorously vetted and backed by science, the campaigns urge audiences to visit GetVaccineAnswers.org (DeTiDepende.org in Spanish) to get the latest information about COVID-19 vaccines, with the ultimate goal of helping the public feel confident and prepared to get vaccinated once a vaccine is available to them.
“With the ‘It’s Up To You’ platform, we’re listening to America’s top questions, understanding their concerns and working to educate and empower people across the country – particularly communities of color who have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic – so they can make an informed choice about vaccination for themselves and for their families,” said Lisa Sherman, President and CEO of the Ad Council. “Our extraordinary partners across the communications industry are uniquely positioned to amplify these critical messages at scale. Through this truly unprecedented effort, we can get back to the moments we all miss and save lives.”
Ad Council research fielded by Ipsos Public Affairs in February 2021 reveals that approximately 40% of the public have not yet made a firm decision to get vaccinated as soon as vaccines are available to them. Additionally, the data illustrates the need for a bespoke effort reaching communities of color who have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 and where there is considerable distrust in the government and medical community and high hesitancy toward the vaccines. The Ad Council’s research shows that Black and Hispanic Americans who are undecided are significantly less confident they have enough information to guide their decision about getting a COVID-19 vaccination, compared to those intending to get vaccinated. Approximately three-quarters of consumers who are undecided say they want information to address their questions about the vaccines, even if vaccines are not yet available to them.
The CDC brand will be seen on select creative assets and, along with HHS, the CDC is providing scientific guidance on all aspects of the campaign. COVID Collaborative is lending insights from its scientific experts to the effort, engaging many members of its collaborative who represent the diversity of the country to help with dissemination, and connecting the campaign to Governors and other leaders in states.
“Public education is a critical component of our response to the COVID-19 pandemic — it is a shared effort to empower people to protect themselves, especially those in disproportionally burdened populations,” said CDC Director Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky. “Just as we are taking action to address the inequities this pandemic laid bare, we need a concerted approach to bring an end to the pandemic and to leverage the lessons learned during COVID-19 to achieve optimal health for all.”
To reach vaccine hesitant individuals across the country, creative agency Pereira O’Dell worked pro bono to develop the creative platform, “It’s Up To You.” Taking an empathetic approach that reaffirms that it’s understandable to have questions about the vaccines, “It’s Up To You” conveys that one of the best ways to get back to the moments and people we miss is by getting vaccinated against COVID-19. Agency JOY Collective has also worked to adapt the “It’s Up To You” platform with content specifically developed to reach and resonate with the Black communities. The strategic framework underpinning the “It’s Up To You” platform, normalizing hesitancy and answering important questions, was developed by BeenThereDoneThat.
Creative assets in English and Spanish will appear nationwide across broadcast TV, digital, radio and social media beginning this week. Additional work will also roll out over the coming weeks, including content developed by modern culture marketing agency Alma, which customized the creative platform to produce “De Ti Depende,” a campaign designed to resonate with Hispanic communities in the U.S. Registration is also now open for a special edition of Hispanicize on March 12 featuring Dr. Anthony Fauci, Beto Perez, John Leguizamo, Karen Martinez, Luis Guzman and others.
“This is not only the most important campaign of our generation, but it needs to be the largest too,” said PJ Pereira, Creative Chairman, Pereira O’Dell. “It had to be an idea that worked not only for the audience, but allowed for brands and publishers to make it theirs, too.”
How It Starts :30 | COVID-19 Vaccine Education Initiative | Ad Council
“As a Black and woman-owned agency, we are proud to partner with the Ad Council to lead the campaign efforts within the Black community. With a multifaceted creative, digital, social, events and grassroots campaign focused on educating the Black community in a credible, culturally relevant way, while inspiring them to ‘get back to’ what we all miss so much. Our goal is to help the Black community get the facts, despite their inherent distrust in the government and medical community, and help them make an informed decision about COVID-19 vaccines” said Kelli Richardson Lawson, CEO, JOY Collective.
Worship :60 | COVID-19 Vaccine Education Initiative | Ad Council
Additionally, the initiative has partnered with JOY Collective and CIEN+ to collaborate with a wide range of organizations to inform the development and distribution of culturally resonant content for Black and Hispanic audiences, who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and have lower vaccine confidence. Providing valuable tools and resources, events, and point-of-care and point-of-purchase educational materials for communities of color, these partners include the Black Coalition Against COVID-19 (BCAC), NAACP, National Alliance for Hispanic Health, National Hispanic Medical Association, National Medical Association, National Urban League, UnidosUS, United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) and others. To kick off the initiative, the Ad Council is partnering with the NAACP to host UNMASKED: A COVID-19 Virtual Town Hall Series on February 25 at 8pm ET where leading policy makers, researchers and medical experts will share the latest on the coronavirus pandemic, treatments, and vaccine education. ABC News Senior National Affairs Correspondent Deborah Roberts will moderate the program, which will feature NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson, Dr. Cameron Webb (member of the Biden Advisory Board for Coronavirus), Dr. Reed Tuckson (Founding Member and CEO of the Black Coalition Against COVID-19), and Dr. Chris Pernell (Public Health physician).
In collaboration with Values Partnerships, the initiative has also developed a comprehensive strategy to engage the faith community and has established a National Faith Steering Committee to inform efforts, participate in campaign content and events, and help disseminate educational resources. This committee includes major national faith-based organizations and over 20 highly influential faith leaders across the Black and Hispanic faith communities, including the National Association of Evangelicals, the National Latino Evangelical Coalition, Bishop T. D. Jakes, Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner, Rev. Dr. Gabriel & Rev. Jeanette Salguero, Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, Rev. Enid Almanzar, Rev. John K. Jenkins, Rev. Traci Blackmon, Rev. Dr. Walter Kim and more. The initiative includes a PSA developed by JOY Collective and Values Partnerships and a national vaccine education event, specially developed for the Black and Hispanic faith communities, which will be on March 9 at 7pm ET. The event will feature Bishop T. D. Jakes and other steering committee members in addition to medical experts and other special guests. In addition, the Ad Council is also collaborating with Choose Health Life (CHL) – a sustainable, scalable and transferable approach to address public health disparities in the Black Community centered around the Black church.
“COVID-19 is one of the most significant challenges we have faced as a faith community, but there is hope,” said Bishop T.D. Jakes. “We have vaccines that are effective and we have an across-the-board commitment in the faith community to ensure that all Americans are informed with accurate up to date information that will assist in the critical decisions that insure healthy outcomes. I am pleased to partner with the Ad Council and fellow clergy in this effort and am optimistic about what God is doing through the medical community and what he will do through this campaign.”
The Black Faith Community on COVID-19 Vaccines | COVID-19 Vaccine Education Initiative | Ad Council
Leading brands, media companies and social platforms and services are developing custom content and donating media to extend the “It’s Up To You” message, connecting their audiences with crucial and vetted information about the COVID-19 vaccines. Partners include:
Adobe will work with their diverse and extensive creator community as a Founding Partner to commission artwork for the “It’s Up to You” campaign to connect with underrepresented groups.
Apple is a Founding Partner of the COVID-19 Vaccine Education Initiative. As part of its commitment to health, Apple will help the Ad Council keep customers informed about the benefits of the vaccine through its services, including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple News, and more.
BET is supporting the effort by creating a BET News COVID-19 special and leveraging its platforms to promote and live stream the initiative’s event with NAACP, UNMASKED: A COVID-19 Virtual Town Hall.
BIN: Black Information Network is launching “It’s Up To You” Vaccine Education Week and will provide a week of dedicated programming designed to spark meaningful conversation fueled by trusted news and information within Black communities.
Complex Networks will be developing custom content for Ad Council’s “It’s Up To You” COVID-19 Vaccine Education Initiative which will reach Complex Networks' 70 million+ (monthly) multicultural audience who share a passion for what's now and next in music, sneakers, style, pop culture, and beyond. They will also be donating media to support these assets across Complex Networks’ properties.
Disney will leverage resources across a variety of its platforms (ABC, ESPN, Freeform, FX, Hulu, National Geographic) to support “It’s Up To You” PSAs.
Facebook is donating production for an in-market messaging campaign with a suite of creative assets that will run across Facebook and Instagram and provide donated media throughout the campaign. Additionally, a Founding Partner of the Ad Council’s COVID-19 vaccine education initiative, this support is part of Facebook’s commitment to running a worldwide campaign to promote authoritative COVID-19 vaccine information.
FOX will leverage top-tier talent to create a series of “It’s Up To You” PSAs and donate media inventory across its stable of entertainment, sports and news platforms.
Google/YouTube, in addition to being a Founding Partner, is integrating the Ad Council’s vaccine campaign into their larger "Get the Facts" COVID-19 vaccine marketing efforts. Google/YouTube is also making concerted efforts to support the Ad Council's industry movement, providing advertisers with bespoke support, insights & resources to scale their message using Google and YouTube platforms and tools.
Holler is producing “It’s Up To You” content to run in donated conversational media.
IBM Watson Advertising is contributing its AI creative technology, Accelerator, to provide research insights, creating digital banner content for this testing and donating media across its weather.com and The Weather Channel app properties.
iHeartMedia is providing the campaign’s official suite of English and Spanish audio assets that will be made available for other audio companies to use across their platforms beginning today. Through audio, the iHeart-created PSAs vividly bring to life the “It’s Up To You” campaign and encourage the public to get the facts to make an informed decision about the COVID-19 vaccine.
LinkedIn is advising the Ad Council on creative and media targeting strategies for COVID-19 vaccine ads to help companies reach the right audiences with the information needed to have informed discussions about the vaccines. LinkedIn is also providing significant donated media to support the “It’s Up to You” campaign.
NBCUniversal and Telemundo are creating custom video and banner assets in both English and Spanish for support across the NBCUniversal ecosystem, also made available to other networks. NBCUniversal is also a Founding Partner of the Ad Council’s COVID-19 vaccine education initiative.
Outcome Health is partnering with the initiative by creating educational content about the COVID-19 vaccines for vaccine hesitant groups, including Black and Hispanic communities, in addition to significant donated media through its point of care locations, the largest such network in the U.S.
Pandora’s in-house creative consultancy, Studio Resonate, is creating custom audio ads to run within donated media inventory across Pandora, SiriusXM and SoundCloud.
Pinterest is supplementing historic Ad Council support with significant donated media for the organization's “It’s Up To You” campaign, as well as continuing to collaborate with the initiative to inspire COVID-19 vaccine education and confidence by providing access to trusted expert content on the platform.
Salesforce is a Founding Partner of the Ad Council’s COVID-19 vaccine education initiative and is supporting the campaign with a live segment on its "Leading Through Change" series, airing March 4, 2021 at 10am PT.
Sesame Workshop will develop custom PSAs in English and Spanish for grownups and families, featuring their iconic characters.
Snapchat has committed to supporting “It’s Up To You” through the creation of custom AR content and providing donated media.
Spotify will produce custom audio PSAs and messaging points for podcast host reads to promote COVID-19 vaccine awareness and education, distributed across donated media on its free tier and integrated into podcasts on its platform.
TikTok is donating prominent In-Feed advertising space dedicated to the “It’s Up to You” campaign. TikTok is committed to amplifying critical public health information and will support the campaign with engaging content featuring TikTok creators and integrate the “It’s Up To You” program in their in-app COVID-19 information hub.
Twitter is developing a custom hash-emoji on behalf of the campaign and will also host and spotlight a live Q&A on their platform, featuring a medical expert to address the top COVID-19 vaccine questions facing their users.
Twitch will produce a custom video PSA to promote COVID-19 vaccine awareness and education, distributing the video via donated media across the live streaming service.
Unilever - maker of brands like Dove, Hellmann’s and Suave - will support the Ad Council initiative as a Founding Partner by integrating it into their annual Day of Service and amplify with paid and earned media, retail tie-ins and a broader employee and Unilever partner program.
Verizon is a Founding Partner, the first to sign on as a supporter of the initiative, and is developing a digital campaign extension of “It’s Up To You,” which will launch 2/25 and focus on inviting other brands to join in and support the effort.
ViacomCBS, creators of the #AloneTogether campaign with the Ad Council which has delivered critical COVID-19 safety information since March, will support as a Founding Partner by running PSAs across its broadcast, cable and streaming platforms and produce custom video and social assets tailored for their unique audiences.
Walmart is a Founding Partner of the COVID-19 Vaccine Education Initiative and will provide further support for the “It’s Up To You” campaign by donating media across TV Walls, organic social, and display ads.
WarnerMedia is co-creating PSAs with their in-house 10th Street Production Company featuring Daveed Diggs, Sanjay Gupta, and Rosie Perez. The assets will be supported across the WarnerMedia and AT&T video ecosystem and made available to other media properties as well.
“When the marketing and media communities come together and amplify urgent public health messages, we can be an incredible force for good,” said Linda Yaccarino, Board Chair of the Ad Council and Chairman, Global Advertising and Partnerships of NBCUniversal. “The Ad Council has been leading the charge to make sure everyone in America has the latest and most accurate information about the COVID-19 vaccines. Every major media company and platform recognizes the importance of this effort and through the media community’s support, we’ll be able to reach Americans with the information they need from the sources they trust.”
All “It’s Up To You” campaign efforts drive audiences to GetVaccineAnswers.org (DeTiDepende.org in Spanish) for answers to the top questions Americans have about the COVID-19 vaccines. Vetted by experts at CDC, HHS and COVID Collaborative, content on the website is available in seven languages (English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Korean, Russian, Haitian Creole, and Vietnamese) and serves as an information hub to help consumers make an informed decision for themselves and their families about COVID-19 vaccines. Resources at GetVaccineAnswers.org will be continually updated as new information and data becomes available.
“Americans always rise to the challenge in times of crisis. The COVID Collaborative has brought together top experts, leaders and institutions in health, education and the economy and associations representing the diversity of the country to engage Americans in their own recovery,” said John Bridgeland, Co-Founder and CEO of the COVID Collaborative. “We are thrilled to partner with the Ad Council on this critical campaign and so many extraordinary institutions to help save lives and put America on a path to recovery and renewal.”
The Ad Council and COVID Collaborative have undertaken comprehensive and ongoing research to understand audience mindsets and how to effectively message to build vaccine confidence. This included consulting with a deep network of experts in public health, health communications and marketing, as well as qualitative and quantitative research conducted in partnership with Ahzul, Facebook, Feedback Loop, IBM Watson Advertising, Ipsos Public Affairs and Nielsen. Insights from this research is fueling the initiative’s creative, media, digital, and partnership strategies, including the development of the “It’s Up To You” platform. Dentsu Health, dentsu Americas' integrated health practice, worked pro bono to develop consumer insights and the national media strategy, informing creative development and providing a comprehensive placement framework for the creative assets.
To date, the initiative has raised over $52 million for a national communications effort to increase confidence in vaccination against the COVID-19 virus. Leading contributors to date include Amazon, Apple, Bank of America, Cisco, CVS Health, Facebook, General Motors, Google and YouTube, the Humana Foundation, NBCUniversal/Comcast, Salesforce, Verizon, Walgreens and Walmart. Significant contributions have also been provided by Adobe, America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), the American Heart Association, the American Medical Association, BNY Mellon, Business Roundtable, Citi, Ford Motor Company, JPMorgan Chase, the New York Life Foundation, Stanley Black & Decker, Synchrony, Target, Unilever, Wells Fargo and ViacomCBS.
Major industry trade associations including the ANA’s Alliance for Inclusive and Multicultural Marketing (AIMM), American Association of Advertising Agencies (4A's), Association of National Advertisers (ANA), Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), Mobile Marketing Association (MMA), National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), NCTA – The Internet and Television Association, News Media Alliance (NMA), Out of Home Advertising Association of America (OAAA), Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB) and Television Bureau of Advertising (TVB) are supporting the initiative by engaging their members, representing leading corporate brands, marketers, TV stations, radio, and digital media throughout the country, to continue educating the public with critical information from “It’s Up To You.”
One of the initial efforts of this initiative was the launch of informational videos to address healthcare professionals' questions about COVID-19 vaccination, featuring Dr. Anthony Fauci and other representatives from leading healthcare organizations, developed pro-bono by Group SJR. Since the pandemic was declared in March 2020, the Ad Council has mobilized the industry to launch an unprecedented, multi-pronged communications effort to combat COVID-19. To date, the Ad Council’s COVID-19 efforts have resulted in over 47 billion impressions, $445 million in donated media value, and nearly 33 million visits to Coronavirus.gov.
The Ad Council
The Ad Council has a long history of creating life-saving public service communications in times of national crisis, starting in the organization's earliest days during World War II to September 11th and natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Sandy. Its deep relationships with media outlets, the creative community, issue experts and government leaders make the organization uniquely poised to quickly distribute life-saving information to millions of Americans.
The Ad Council is where creativity and causes converge. The non-profit organization brings together the most creative minds in advertising, media, technology and marketing to address many of the nation's most important causes. The Ad Council has created many of the most iconic campaigns in advertising history. Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Drunk. Smokey Bear. Love Has No Labels.
The Ad Council's innovative social good campaigns raise awareness, inspire action and save lives. To learn more, visit AdCouncil.org, follow the Ad Council's communities on Facebook and Twitter, and view the creative on YouTube.
COVID Collaborative
COVID Collaborative is a national assembly of experts, leaders and institutions in health, education and the economy and associations representing the diversity of the country to turn the tide on the pandemic by supporting federal, state and local COVID-29 response efforts.
The COVID Collaborative is chaired by former Governor and U.S. Senator Dirk Kempthorne (R-ID) and former Governor Deval Patrick (D-MA). It includes expertise from across Republican and Democratic Administrations at the federal, state and local levels, including former FDA Commissioners, CDC Directors, and U.S. Surgeon Generals; former U.S. Secretaries of Education, Homeland Security, and Health and Human Services; leading public health experts and institutions that span the country; the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Business Roundtable; the NAACP, UnidosUS, and the National Congress of American Indians; the Skoll Foundation, The Allstate Foundation, and The Rockefeller Foundation; and associations representing those on the front lines, from the American Public Health Association to the Council of the Great City Schools.
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"ViacomCBS is proud to support the Ad Council and COVID Collaborative as a Founding Partner of the COVID-19 Vaccine Education Initiative," ViacomCBS posted on LinkedIn. "We want to ensure that Americans have accurate information on the available COVID-19 vaccines, so that they can make the right choices for themselves and their families."
