USA Reveals Winner of PSA Commercial Challenge

USA Network's award-winning public service campaign, Characters Unite, and R&R Partners Foundation's Flip the Script today announced that Lauren Bush, an 8th grader at St. John's Episcopal School in Dallas, TX, is the winner of the "Unite Against Bullying Commercial Challenge," a nationwide Contest for middle and high school students to submit their ideas for a television ad to help stop bullying.

The "Unite Against Bullying Commercial Challenge" was launched by GRAMMY(R)-nominated, multi-platinum recording artist Carly Rae Jepsen during "#UniteLIVE: The Concert to Rock Out Bullying," which was held on October 3rd at the Thomas & Mack Center at University of Nevada, Las Vegas with thousands of students in attendance to recognize National Bullying Prevention Month. USA Network, R&R Partners Foundation's Flip the Script and Cox Communications presented the event.

Lauren's winning concept tells the story of a middle school girl who is bullied relentlessly by her peers. As she walks down a long, crowded hallway, classmates slap signs with hurtful words "dumb," "ugly," "loser," and "freak" on her back. She is then tripped and crashes onto on the floor, feeling hopeless and alone, until an unknown student steps in to help her out, giving her the support and confidence she needs to get back up and move on. As the girl continues down the hallway, the hateful words are replaced on her back by her peers with positive labels like "beautiful," "smart," "funny" and "nice." The spot closes with the powerful message that stopping bullying starts with just one person, and encourages viewers to get involved.

The commercial will begin airing on usa network during Characters Unite Month (February), a time when the network shines a bright spotlight on the importance of combating bullying, hate and discrimination, and online at charactersunite.com and flipthescriptnow.org. Click here to download or view the PSA. The PSA was directed by Damon Pablo and produced by Pilot Productions. Sixteen 19's Pat Carpenter and Anthony Cortese edited the spot, and Patrick DeVine provided the color finishing.

A year-long program, Characters Unite aims to combat discrimination and intolerance in all its forms. The public service campaign is dedicated to supporting activities and messaging to promote understanding and acceptance - on-air, online, and in communities across the country.

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