YOUNG DISNEY STARS “CHOOSE KINDNESS” IN MULTI-PLATFORM INITIATIVE DEBUTING DURING NATIONAL BULLYING PREVENTION MONTH,
September 28-October 31
— Special-Themed Episodes of Hit Series “Austin & Ally” and
“Girl Meets World” to be Presented —
More than 20 stars of Disney Channel, Disney XD and Radio Disney provide their personal point-of-view on demonstrating courteous and respectful behavior towards others as a virtue of good character, in “Choose Kindness,” a multi-platform initiative designed to motivate, inspire and resonate with kids ages 6-14. The interstitial messages premiere SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel and will rotate during October’s National Bullying Prevention Month. The initiative includes special episodes of “Austin & Ally” and “Girl Meets World,” each designed to reach kids with empowering, relevant stories and to augment the Channel’s themes of communication, diversity and optimism.
Disney’s Be Inspired website (Disney.com/BeInspired) will include information and resources designed to help kids, tweens and parents prevent bullying.
On Wednesday, October 1, Radio Disney will begin airing public service announcements featuring 14 -year-old Alex Angelo, host of Radio Disney’s “Saturday Night Party” with Alex Angelo. The PSA will also be featured in video form on www.clubpenguin.com/be-heard where kids can help Club Penguin, the #1 virtual world for kids, spread the word about bullying prevention.
“Through great storytelling, we have a unique opportunity to reach kids and families, and address a topic that is so important and relevant in their everyday lives, whether it’s at school or in social media,” said Paul DeBenedittis, Senior Vice President, Programming Strategy, Disney Channels Worldwide. “The ‘Choose Kindness’ campaign is about showing the power of compassion through meaningful examples that we hope will provoke conversation and action.”
In the special episode of “Austin & Ally” (Sunday, September 28, 8:00 p.m., ET/PT), Trish, played by actress Raini Rodriguez, lands the lead role in the school play, but when she reads mean-spirited online comments, she wants to quit the production. Austin and Ally write a special song for Trish to help her understand that she’s not alone. Meanwhile, Dez devises a plan to embarrass the person responsible, but Trish discovers a better way to overcome the bullying.
Also starring are Ross Lynch, Laura Marano and Calum Worthy.
In “Girl Meets World” (Friday, October 17, 8:00 p.m., ET/PT), a classmate teases Farkle for being different and not fitting in with the crowd. Hurt and confused, he stops going to class until Riley, Maya and Lucas rally him to show their classmates how to respect each other’s uniqueness and show compassion to those who need it, no matter who they are. Starring are Rowan Blanchard, Sabrina Carpenter, Ben Savage, Danielle Fishel, August Maturo, Peyton Meyer and Corey Fogelmanis.
“Choose Kindness” is part of Disney/ABC Television Group’s efforts to create a bullying-prevention campaign to encourage kids and parents around the country to help put an end to bullying by choosing kindness. Among its partners are the nonprofit GLSEN, Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center and GLAAD.
