October 1, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Contact: Julie Holmquist [email protected] 952-838-9000, National toll-free 888-248-0822 |
Contact: Ginger Greager, GGPR [email protected] 917-976-5596 |
Rebecca Black Named PACER Spokesperson
Teen pop star will represent PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center
MINNEAPOLIS: Teen pop star Rebecca Black, who rose to prominence in 2011 when the music video of her song “Friday” became the most viewed video of the year on YouTube, has been named as a spokesperson for PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center. The 15-year-old from Anaheim Hills, Calif., will make public appearances on behalf of PACER during National Bullying Prevention Month in October, and she will speak out about bullying prevention throughout the year in concerts, in the press, and on her social media sites where she has millions of followers and over 270 million video views.
“I am very excited that I can work with a great organization like PACER,” said Black. “They are doing so much to help kids who are being bullied at school and on the Internet, and I am going to do whatever I can to make a difference.”
When Black recorded her first song “Friday,” and filmed a video to accompany the song, she thought only her family and close friends would hear the music and watch the video. Unbeknownst to her and her family, the video was uploaded to YouTube and went viral. Within a few weeks, Black was making numerous national television appearances and mainstream artists such as Nick and Joe Jonas, Justin Bieber and Katy Perry were performing the song at concerts. She was invited to perform “Friday” live on stage with Perry and to co-star in Perry’s video for “Last Friday Night.” She was named the Best Web Star at the 2011 Teen Choice Awards and was honored by “Variety” magazine. “My Moment,” Black's second single, currently has over 35 million YouTube views. She has since released two more singles and videos – “Person of Interest” and “Sing It” – and will soon be shooting her next video for her fifth single titled “In Your Words.”
“Bullying is something that affects so many and it can happen to anyone. I know what it's like to have people make fun of you, and I know how much it can hurt. I just don't want other kids to have to go through that,” said Black.
Black is helping to raise money for PACER with a T-shirt she designed for National Bullying Prevention Month as part of the second annual “Be Good to Each Other” campaign created by CustomInk, the “design online” custom T-shirt company. The campaign takes a stand for kindness and tolerance and uses the power of custom T-shirts to do good. Black’s fans can purchase her unique design at CustomInk.com/stopbullying, and all profits from the campaign support PACER.
“I wanted the T-shirt to have meaning and share the message that we are all unique. I really enjoyed creating a design for this campaign and am happy with how it came out,” said Black, whose purple and orange creation is a positive, inspiring play on the word 'Friday.' “I think it says what I believe – that you just need to be free and dare to be yourself. I'm hoping all my fans will want to buy one and show their support against bullying.”
Julie Hertzog, director of PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center, said the organization is thrilled to have Black as a spokesperson. “Rebecca is a wonderful example of resilience and the importance of being true to yourself,” Hertzog said. “She is a confident, successful young person who wants to support other teens, and she is truly making a difference for her peers.” PACER’s free bullying prevention resources are available at PACER.org/Bullying.
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About Rebecca Black
For more information on Rebecca Black, please visit rebeccablackonline.com. To arrange interviews, please contact:
Ginger Greager
(917) 796-5596
[email protected]
About National Bullying Prevention Month
Students, parents, and educators across the country will show their support for bullying prevention in many different ways in October during PACER’s seventh annual National Bullying Prevention Month. The theme for the month is “The End of Bullying Begins with Me.” Oct. 10 is Unity Day when students will wear orange and unite against bullying through events, activities, outreach, and education. PACER provides practical resources that make it easier for individuals and groups to take action in their own communities.
About the “Be Good to Each Other Campaign”
CustomInk, the design online T-shirt company, created the “Be Good to Each Other” campaign as part of its Three Hearts Initiative, the company's charitable giving and public service arm. The campaign encourages student groups and others across the country to take a stand for kindness and tolerance by designing and wearing custom bullying prevention T-shirts for National Bullying Prevention Month. All profits from the campaign support PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center. For more information, visit Customink.com/stopbullying.
About PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center
PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center educates communities nationwide to prevent bullying through the use of creative, interactive resources including the websites TeensAgainstBullying.org and KidsAgainstBullying.org. PACER offers educators, students, families, and individuals the tools they need to address bullying in schools, the community, and online. For more information on PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center please visit PACER.org/bullying.
About PACER Center: Based in Minnesota, PACER Center is a national parent center serving all youth, with a special emphasis on children with disabilities. Learn more at PACER.org or call 952-838-9000; 888-248-0822 (national toll free). Paula F. Goldberg is the Executive Director of PACER Center.