Spin Master, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, and WayForward Announce 'Bakugan: Champions of Vestroia' [Trailer Included]

"Become a Bakugan Brawling Champion in a Brand-New, Role-Playing Adventure Game Coming to Nintendo Switch" (CNW Group/Spin Master)

Spin Master, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and WayForward today announced Bakugan: Champions of Vestroia, an all-new, action role-playing video game that will be coming exclusively to Nintendo Switch on Nov. 3, 2020, expanding on the wildly popular, global Bakugan franchise alongside the exciting anime adventure TV series, innovative toy line, card game and more. 

The game will center around an all-new original story and the franchise's signature Bakugan brawls as players befriend powerful creatures known as Bakugan and customize teams for fiercely strategic head-to-head battles.

"We're pleased to partner with Spin Master and WayForward to bring the brawling action of Bakugan: Champions of Vestroia to Nintendo Switch," said Kevin Kebodeaux, Senior Vice President, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. "The global popularity of Bakugan is undeniable, and this game is sure to excite players everywhere."

"Bakugan: Champions of Vestroia expands the popular brawling franchise with a new exhilarating, interactive game format with customization, competitive action, deep strategy, and anime-style characters and worlds that all gamers and Bakugan fans will love," said Simonetta Lulli, Vice President, Spin Master Studios. "Whether playing solo or against Bakugan brawlers online, the game offers endless hours of play at home or on the go."

"The brand new, action-packed video game and our partnership with Nintendo Switch and WayForward is so important to the Bakugan franchise as it continues expand globally," said James Martin, SVP Brand Marketing and GBU Lead of Bakugan. "Now, a whole new generation of fans can experience the excitement and skill of Bakugan in more ways than ever before."

"Bakugan: Champions of Vestroia brings together the most popular aspects of the TV series and toys in an authentic and inspiring new game," said Voldi Way, President & CEO, WayForward. "We designed it specifically for Nintendo Switch with unique battle gameplay and strategic options to build and battle a Bakugan team."

Published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, produced by Spin Master and developed by WayForward, the Bakugan: Champions of Vestroia video game will take players on a journey through an original story expanding on the hit TV series and toy franchise. They can create and fully customize their Brawler to fight side-by-side with the mysterious alien Bakugan as their human partner in battle. The game features a fully navigable 3D world divided into different districts each with dedicated battle arenas. Players can interact with other characters, go on quests, and explore with their Bakugan friends. They can also test their brawling skills online in head-to-head multiplayer against friends or players from the around the world to become a true Champion of Vestroia.

A physical Deluxe Edition pack, featuring the video game, an exclusive Ultima Dragonoid toy which transforms into a fierce Bakugan, Ultima Dragonoid trading card, Ultima Dragonoid metal gate card, plus two powerful BakuCores will also be available at launch.

• For more information please visit bakugan.com/videogame

The Annoucement Trailer:

• To download Bakugan: Champions of Vestroia assets, visit: go.wbgames.com/BakuganGameAssets

SOURCE: Spin Master

New Artwork by Gary Larson Debuts on TheFarSide.com

New Stuff – It's Here on TheFarSide.com!

Fans welcomed the December 2019 debut of TheFarSide.com with tremendous enthusiasm: more than one million visitors were thrilled by the launch of the official online destination during its very first week. A mere five months later, it was awarded the 2020 Webby People's Voice Award for Best Humor Website. 

The site, featuring a "daily dose" of The Far Side cartoons and previously unseen sketches by creator Gary Larson, also tempted fans with a promise of Larson "slipping in some new things every so often."

Today, Larson, who retired the daily syndication of the cartoon in 1995, delivers on this promise, and not a moment too soon. On the New Stuff page of the site, Far Side fans can enjoy the release of some new artwork offering a look at Larson's foray into digital painting. 

Adept at celebrating the inherent humor in the most ludicrous sides of humanity, the secret genius of animals, and the brilliance of the scientific, Larson will continue to surprise by periodically featuring new artwork on the site.

And there's more news from The Far Side, as Larson provides a much-needed reason to look forward to 2021. After two interminable decades, a Larson Off-The-Wall calendar returns! 

The all-time bestselling calendar is being reissued with 365 days of irreverent, brilliant cartoons from The Far Side and a different theme featured each month in The Far Side Theme-a-Month 2021 Off-The-Wall Calendar. 

Adding to the excitement: The new The Far Side After Hours 2021 Wall Calendar will grace the world's vertical surfaces with new Larson art and includes some never-before-seen images by Larson.

Uncommon, unreal, and unfrozen – TheFarSide.com is online

Unparalleled in its brilliance, The Far Side is without peer. The continued enthusiasm for TheFarSide.com and the anticipation of the forthcoming calendars continue to illustrate its preeminence around the world. Andrews McMeel Universal is thrilled to continue to share the remarkable talent of Gary Larson in a whole new way in our brave new world.

More about The Far Side:

• With over 40 million books and 77 million calendars sold, The Far Side is an unprecedented cartoon phenomenon.
• The Far Side Off-The-Wall series was the world's bestselling calendar for 18 consecutive years.
• TheFarSide.com won the 2020 Webby People's Voice Award for Best Humor website, a remarkable accomplishment after just a few months in existence. It was selected from more than 13,000 entries from all 50 states and 70+ countries, with 2.5 million votes cast by 600,000 people.

SOURCE: Andrews McMeel Universal

2020 Part 2: What Can We Expect From The Second Half Of The Year?

2020 Part 2: What Can We Expect From The Second Half Of The Year? (Pixabay - CC0 Licence)

The calendar flipping over into July means - among other things - that this year (which has seemed to be several years long itself already) has finally entered its second half. If you are someone who follows news media, it has undoubtedly been a packed year, but strap yourself in - there’s another six months before it’s at an end.

As we enter Part 2 of 2020, it’s worth looking ahead and considering what the rest of the year might have in store for us. After all, we were all a little blindsided by the way that this year started, so it’s a good idea to be ready for anything in the next six months.

Will the UK have a second wave of Coronavirus?

The nature of pandemics is that there tends to be an initial ramping up to a frightening peak, which then relents to a point where things can be somewhat relaxed. We’re at the third point of that path, which sounds good. However, the overall path of a pandemic usually includes a sting in the tail in the form of a “second wave”. Unless the virus is entirely eradicated globally, it’s almost certain that a second wave will arise in some areas of the world.

Will the UK be among those areas? There’s no way of knowing for sure, but let’s consider these points:

• One city has already had to announce that their planned exit from lockdown will be delayed; more are expected to follow.
• New Zealand, which had eradicated the virus within its borders, then announced two new cases; both visitors from the UK.
• Within days of opening up beaches, the town of Bournemouth was the scene of a “major incident” as thousands of people descended to enjoy a heatwave.

In other words, all the signs are that the UK will be prone to another wave. While the first caught most of us by surprise, we can at least be more prepared for the probable second wave. Smart moves include buying more tinned food with your regular shops, setting up a quarantine system for deliveries, and ensuring that any underlying conditions you have are well managed. For instance, asthma sufferers are more vulnerable to the virus, so this article may be beneficial.

Will there be a swine flu outbreak to deal with, too?

While we are already dealing with Covid 19, many of us will have noted from our social media timelines that there might be more bad news on the way:

Flu virus with 'pandemic potential' found in China https://t.co/O4Pv1f8NjM

— BBC Health News (@bbchealth) June 29, 2020

So, will we go from protecting against Covid 19 to fighting the new strain of swine ‘flu? Will we, perish the thought, find ourselves battling both at the same time? The truth is, we can’t really say right now. The fact that the virus has been highlighted as having “pandemic potential” certainly isn’t good news. What we know is that the virus can infect humans and, because it is new, we’re unlikely to have any inbuilt immunity to it. It’s also not a strain that is currently protected against by the ‘flu vaccine.

Where we need to be particularly vigilant is in not seeing this as simply a threat that is being amped up. It is possible for two unpleasant and highly contagious viruses to be in circulation at once. Whether or not you believe the present pandemic was a particularly serious event, you should err on the side of caution if this latest virus starts to make its way around the world. If people become skeptical and cease to follow social distancing and other anti-transmission measures, this could vastly increase the potency of either virus, or both.

Will things ever be normal again?

In the early days of lockdown, many of us will have repeatedly used a form of words along the lines of “when this is over/when things are back to normal” or similar. It will have crossed very few minds that “this” might not be over any time soon, and that “normal” might mean something very different by the time it is over. In truth, looking into the future, we may all have reason for uncertainty. It’s an uncertainty that won’t go away any time soon, in all likelihood.

Let’s look at one of the most obvious changes that has taken place since the virus started spreading: working practices. If you have begun working from home since March, how inclined are you to go back to a workplace? Particularly if doing so involves getting on a bus or a train? When every contact is a potential opportunity for the virus to spread, and people don’t need to be symptomatic to pass it on, “normal” is unlikely to describe the overall situation any time before 2021.

There is, essentially, no part of everyday life which is the same right now as it was this time last year. The number of things that have changed, and the extent to which they have changed, may well make it impossible for life ever to go back to the way it was before, or anything like it. That doesn’t need to be a bad thing - if you can make adjustments that allow you to have more time with family and, eventually, friends - but equally, it is important not to rely on things getting back to how they used to be any time in 2020.

The first half of 2020 has been tumultuous, and it’s entirely understandable if you’re still digesting it all. As we turn to the second half, it is important to be ready for anything that it might throw at us. Recent history has taught us that things can happen fast and turn the world upside down.

Acclaimed Artist & Activist Madame Gandhi Debuts New Music Video For "Waiting For Me" [Video Included]

Acclaimed Artist & Activist Madame Gandhi Debuts New Music Video For "Waiting For Me" (Photo Credit: Sajna Sivan)

Multi-talented artist, percussionist, producer and activist Madame Gandhi has recently released her newest video for Visions track "Waiting For Me".

Directed by Misha Ghose, "Waiting For Me" was conceptualized and produced by an all-female team and features queer, trans, female and gender non-conforming cast members and marks Madame Gandhi's first-ever video shot in India.

With its contrasting industrial imagery and color palettes, the visual brings to life the song's empowering message, an eco-feminist call to action that eschews institutionalized power structures in favor of forging new narratives of self-expression.

Of the video, Madame Gandhi explains:"We as artists have the power to use our art to vividly reimagine the world we wished we lived in. 'Waiting For Me' is a song about questioning societal norms as they exist. The video opens with the quote, 'We always assume our own powerlessness, but never our own power.' With the interconnected social justice movements happening around the world, we are seeing a larger belief in the power of the collective for change. This music video is a call to action for each of us to examine how hierarchy, capitalism and systemic oppression serve to keep us obedient, with little space for dialogue or critical thinking. My hope is that this video inspires folks to ask, 'Are my behaviors contributing to the oppression of somebody else? And what contributes to my own oppression? What does my version of freedom look and feel like?'"

The video for "Waiting For Me" launches the next chapter in Madame Gandhi's already critically-acclaimed career, as she announces her signing with Sony Music Masterworks. With an imitable pairing of complex percussive rhythms and empowering messages of liberation, Madame Gandhi is known for her passionately uplifting body of musical work that continues to elevate the female voice and redefine notions of gender, identity and politics. Having released her first two EPs as part of an overarching short-form album trilogy, most recently 2019's Visions, Madame Gandhi begins her new partnership with Sony Music Masterworks ahead of the third and final installment in the series.

Today's news and video arrive on what has been a massive week for Madame Gandhi, who made her NPR Tiny Desk (Home) Concert debut this Wednesday, performing tracks from both her Visions and Voices EPs – watch here. Selected as 2020 TED Fellow for her commitment to creating meaningful and positive change, Madame Gandhi will also participate in TED2020 this summer, joining multidisciplinary individuals across the globe for an online gathering of conversations, sessions and performances. She returns to the TED Stage after her 2018 TED Talk about the importance of making music accessible to those hard of hearing. The talk now has over 200k views – watch here. 

Madame Gandhi also recently provided a song to the new two-part documentary series And She Could Be Next, working in collaboration with Gingger Shankar on a track entitled "Freedom Cries" for the Ava DuVernay-produced show. Out later this year, the song will be included on the official soundtrack to the show, which chronicles the defiant movement of women of color who are transforming American politics from the ground up. 

• And She Could Be Next is currently airing on local PBS stations, streaming online at AndSheCouldBeNext.com and on the PBS app on your smart TV.

The "Waiting For Me" Video:

About Madame Gandhi :

Kiran Gandhi, who performs as Madame Gandhi, is an artist and activist whose mission is to elevate and celebrate gender liberation.

• She has toured as the drummer for M.I.A, Thievery Corporation and most recently Oprah on her 2020 Vision Stadium Tour. 
• Gandhi holds a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics and Gender Studies from Georgetown and an MBA from Harvard. 
• In 2015, she ran the London Marathon bleeding freely to combat period stigma around the world, sparking a global viral conversation about how we treat menstruation in various cultures. 
• She has been listed as a Forbes 30 Under 30 member and is a 2020 TED Fellow. 
• Her mathy percussion, uplifting music and inspiring talks have been critically acclaimed by The New York Times, Billboard, NPR and more. 
• Her song "The Future is Female" reached #8 on the Spotify Viral US Charts following the 2017 Women's March. 
• She has released two short-form albums, Voices (2016) and Visions (2019), accompanied by a series of music videos produced and concepted by women and gender non-conforming creatives. 

Gandhi is currently working on her third short-form album Vibrations. 

• For updates and more, visit madamegandhi.com.

SOURCE: Sony Music Masterworks

Blog Tour: Interview with Benjamin J. Gohs, Author of 'A Thin Porridge' #HistoricalFiction

Blog Tour: Interview with Benjamin J. Gohs, Author of 'A Thin Porridge'

'A Thin Porridge' by Benjamin J. Gohs - The Blurb:

When 19-year-old Abeona Browne's renowned abolitionist father Jon Browne dies in summer of 1860, devastating family secrets are revealed, and her life of privilege and naiveté in Southern Michigan becomes a frantic transatlantic search for answers—and someone she didn't even know existed.

Still in mourning, Abeona sneaks aboard the ship carrying her father’s attorney Terrence Swifte and his assistant Djimon—a young man with his own secrets—on a quest to Africa to fulfil a dying wish.

Along the journey, Abeona learns of her father’s tragic and terrible past through a collection of letters intended for someone he lost long ago.

Passage to the Dark Continent is fraught with wild beasts, raging storms, illness, and the bounty hunters who know Jon Browne’s diaries are filled with damning secrets which threaten the very anti-slavery movement he helped to build.

Can Abeona overcome antebellum attitudes and triumph over her own fears to right the wrongs in her famous family’s sordid past?

So named for an African proverb, A Thin Porridge is a Homeric tale of second chances, forgiveness, and adventure that whisks readers from the filth of tweendecks, to the treachery of Cameroons Town, across the beauty of Table Bay, and deep into the heart of the fynbos—where Boer miners continue the outlawed scourge of slavery.

'A Thin Porridge' by Benjamin J. Gohs - front cover

Buy Links:

Amazon UK • Amazon US • Amazon CA • Amazon AU • Barnes and Noble

The Author Interview:

1. Could you tell us a little about your book and what inspired you to write it?

A Thin Porridge is the story of Abeona Browne, an African-American girl who should be getting ready to go off to college in the fall of 1860 but ends up traveling halfway round the world to find answers involving her abolitionist father’s dark past.

It was while reading up on the practice of slavery in Africa—an institution often vastly different from American slavery—that the story of A Thin Porridge began to unfold.

2. Your book, A Thin Porridge, is set just before the American Civil War. What drew you to this era of history?

As far back as I can remember I’ve been interested in 19th Century American history—specifically slavery and the Civil War. There’s already been so much written on the topics that I wouldn’t have dreamed of even thinking about adding to the body of work. But I began reading about African slavery and finding little on the subject. That’s when the idea for a story centering on the matter entered my mind. The tale evolved and grew from there, but it was originally inspired by the question of what life might have been like for chattel in places other than America.

3. What were the challenges you faced in researching this period of history and were there any unexpected surprises?

Any time one tries to insert oneself into the past, we risk getting a lot wrong. It’s hard enough to get period and place correct when you’re dealing with regions with robust recordkeeping … but delving into Western and Southern Africa in the 18th and 19th centuries like I did meant often finding very little history about village locations, railroad projects, customs, clothing, diet, etc.

There are a number of places on the African continent which exist today that did not exist in 1860, and vice-versa. Good luck finding anything out about the Village of Adjumba. I was lucky enough to purchase an original hand-colored map from the year my story occurs and so was able to discover places I otherwise would not have.

The biggest surprise to me was the lack of historical record for a number of locations I desperately wanted to learn more about. So, you do the best you can and invent where you cannot find fact.

This is, after all, a novel and not an encyclopedia. But, other than a few minor adjustments, I was able—sometimes with lengthy bouts of search—to find answers to most of my questions.

4. Can you tell us what a typical writing day looks like for you?

Start work on my newspaper every morning at 6 a.m.
Around nine or ten I break from that and work on my novels.
Always have several manuscripts at varying stages. Last week, for instance, I spent a few hours revising a chapter on The Stickhare novel which I wrote in 2018. Then I got a coffee and read from Moby Dick for half an hour or so. Then it was time to sketch more notes, portions of dialog, character ideas for this year’s novel. In late afternoon, I went back to working on the newspaper—uploading stories to our website, posting social media photos and news, etc. Then I stop to fix supper. I allow myself to read after dinner, but I try not to do any writing unless something comes to me that I have to get down.

2019’s novel is currently aging in a cool dark place. I’ll begin revisions on it once I’ve completed editing 2018’s novel. I’m currently behind schedule on starting the actual writing-writing of 2020’s novel but with trying to launch A Thin Porridge and revising The Stickhare, and running a newspaper, there’s only so many hours in a day. 

5. What advice do you have for aspiring Historical Fiction authors?

A little goes a long way when trying to set a historical scene. I find too many authors trying to catalogue every historical item in any given location to prove how realistic their story is. It usually comes off as protesting too much.

Benjamin J. Gohs, Author of 'A Thin Porridge' - Headshot

About Benjamin J. Gohs:

Benjamin J. Gohs is a longtime award-winning news editor whose investigative journalism has included stories of murder, sex-crime, historical discovery, corruption, and clerical misconduct.

Benjamin now divides his time between writing literary thrillers and managing the community newspaper he co-founded in 2009.

• Connect with Benjamin: Website • Twitter • Goodreads.

KIND Illuminates New York City Skyline as Tribute to Canceled Pride Marches Around the World and to Pay Homage to the LGBTQ Rights Movement

KIND Illuminates New York City Skyline as Tribute to Canceled Pride Marches Around the World and to Pay Homage to the LGBTQ Rights Movement (PRNewsfoto/KIND Healthy Snacks)

For the first time in 50 years, people from all over the world will not be marching the streets of New York City to advocate support of the global LGBTQ community. To honor the origin of the Gay Rights Movement and the first NYC Pride March, KIND Healthy Snacks (KIND) is paying tribute to those who've marched, fought and advocated for equality and respect with a rainbow light installation, while also continuing the battle for intersectional justice. 

The installation is placed in the West Village, adjacent to the iconic Stonewall Inn, birthplace of the Gay Rights Movement, illuminating New York City on the eve of the 50th NYC Pride March anniversary.

• KIND is proud to partner with the Ali Forney Center, the nation's largest organization dedicated to homeless LGBTQ youth, to advocate for those most vulnerable to inequality and discrimination: LGBTQ people of color, especially transgender youth.

KIND Illuminates New York City Skyline as Tribute to Canceled Pride Marches Around the World and to Pay Homage to the LGBTQ Rights Movement (PRNewsfoto/KIND Healthy Snacks)

"There has never been a more critical time for people to remember how Pride all began," says Alexander Roque, President and Executive Director of the Ali Forney Center. "About 90% of the homeless LGBTQ youth we serve are people of color. The rights our youth have today are because of people, who looked just like them, protested and marched. We're proud to partner with KIND and hope we can bring more awareness during this revolutionary time." ­

In tandem with the light tribute, KIND is offering its special-edition KIND PRIDE Bar, donating 100% of bar net sales to the Ali Forney Center, with a maximum donation of $50,000, assisting in its efforts to protect and empower homeless LGBTQ youth across the country. 

KIND's Pride advocacy is part of the KIND Snack & Give Back Project, a multi-year program to inspire kindness and empathy. 

Since KIND's founding in 2004, KIND has championed kindness as a transformative force for good – it encourages people to step out of their comfort zones, connect in authentic ways and discover each other's humanity.

"KIND is proud to support the global LGBTQ community, its allies, and the important work of the LGBTQ Rights Movement," says Daniel Lubetzky, Founder & Executive Chairman of KIND. "With our light tribute, we seek to keep the spirit of Pride Marches alive while inspiring future generations to continue demanding freedom, respect, and equality for all."

KIND Illuminates New York City Skyline as Tribute to Canceled Pride Marches Around the World and to Pay Homage to the LGBTQ Rights Movement (PRNewsfoto/KIND Healthy Snacks)

• Part of the multi-year KIND Snack & Give Back Project, the second-annual KIND PRIDE bar incorporates the colors of the Pride flag. The special-edition snack comes in one flavor, Dark Chocolate Nuts & Sea Salt, and is available on kindsnacks.com, Walmart.com, in store at Wegmans, Duane Reade and New York City corner stores, while supplies last.

SOURCE: KIND Healthy Snacks

Klarna and Universal Music Keep Track of Australia's Lockdown Buying Habits with Pop Parody [Video Included]

Klarna and Universal Music Keep Track of Australia's Lockdown Buying Habits with Pop Parody

To encourage the entire country to buy only the things we really love and actually need, Klarna, in partnership with Universal Music Australia's creative agency BRING, has today released a parody music video about Australia's online shopping habits during lockdown.

Starring local favourites, The Inspired Unemployed, musicians Thandi Phoenix and Tuka, Get What I Love shines a big pink spotlight on all the things we've been buying, but never knew we really needed...hello Tiger King g-string!

An original R'n'B flavoured pop song which was written collaboratively over Zoom, Get What I Love is about finding fun ways to make use of the stuff we've bought during isolation, that in a different world may not have been added to our cart.

Klarna talks to shoppers on their terms and creates services, experiences and content which are very different from what people expect from a brand in the fintech, finance or banking space.

The pop parody allows Klarna to extend its support of local retailers to emerging homegrown artists in what is a tough time for the Australian entertainment industry.

Andrea Darling, Klarna's Head of Marketing for Australia and New Zealand says:"We are so excited about this collaboration and working with such amazing Australian talent. Klarna is all about the consumer experience and inviting customers into our world. This music video clip illustrates perfectly how we do things differently and in a fun way. It's time for a new kind of shopping service that is genuinely interested in its customer and fits with their lifestyle."

From swapping high heels for Uggs, buying bread makers to bake that insta-worthy sourdough, to grabbing the latest thigh master to tone that at-home bod, the video takes a light-hearted look at how our needs changed during COVID-19.

Klarna and Universal Music Keep Track of Australia's Lockdown Buying Habits with Pop Parody

The music clip focuses on two flatmates (The Inspired Unemployed) stuck in lockdown in a studio style apartment. Each 'week' a new purchase is delivered to their door thanks to the simple shopping experience of Klarna. As time passes, our two stars continue to make use of the items delivered, sometimes in unexpected ways.

The Inspired Unemployed says: "This partnership with Klarna was an absolute pleasure to work on and it was truly a team effort to bring the vision to life with incredible creatives like Tuka and Thandi Phoenix, who we learnt a lot from. We are thrilled to see this project come to life after weeks of collaboration and we really hope Australians find it relatable, fun and entertaining and that it also serves as a reminder of the once in a lifetime lockdown experience."

Thandi Phoenix says:"I had a such a good time working on this project for Klarna during lockdown. It was really nice to be able to collaborate with different creatives on this song and being able to make fun of some of the activities we've all been doing during isolation."

Tuka says:"This project definitely saved me from the insane level of boredom we all experienced in lockdown. Thanks for getting me on board, Klarna has been a great brand to work with."

Official Music Video:

SOURCE: Klarna

Feature Film "Social Distance" Completes Production from Quarantine [Trailer Included]

Feature Film "Social Distance" Completes Production from Quarantine (image via socialdistancemovie.com)

While the rest of Hollywood is making plans to safely start making movies again in the wake of a pandemic, Koa Aloha Media has wrapped production of a feature film produced at a distance.

This thriller is a one-of-a-kind production – It was filmed entirely while filmmakers and actors were in their own isolation, during the quarantine period from April to June.

The story of "Social Distance" is this: 

During the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, a group of six individuals find the weight of isolation pushing them to the brink of insanity as they find themselves consumed with the pressure of work and the threat of sickness. The group is attempting to salvage a cruise line's reputation after the company is blamed for bringing the coronavirus into the United States on one of its cruise ships. Each must battle the destructive demons of isolation, addiction, conspiracies, and jealousy.

The movie is written and directed by B. Luciano Barsuglia. It stars Vernon Wells (The Road Warrior, Commando), Jed Rowen (The Ghastly Love of Johnny X), Rachel Riley (Enigma), Kasey Brown (Green Room) and has a strong supporting class.

Gil Oldman Jr. (Vernon Wells) sets his public relations team straight as they try to save the reputation of Dreamscape Cruise Lines in "Social Distance".

"We believe this is the first time anything like this has been done," states Barsuglia. "The movie was directed entirely through video conferences, and the actors had to become filmmakers to shoot each of their own scenes."

Stork Winters (Jed Rowen) seeks answers from Ken Fogler (Jason Kartalian) and Henry Crandall (Justin P. Warren) in "Social Distance".

Barsuglia also reveals that post-production has been happening throughout the process as well, and the movie "Social Distance" is almost ready for the public. But is the world ready? The movie mirrors many of the themes and difficulties people have been experiencing during these trying months.

The Trailer:

SOURCE: Koa Aloha Media

Free Comic Book Day 2020 to Take Place July 15 through September 9

Free Comic Book Day 2020 to Take Place July 15 through September 9 (image via Free Comic Book Day site)

Free Comic Book Day, the comic book industry's largest annual promotional event, is traditionally scheduled to take place the first Saturday in May each year. However, the impact and spread of COVID-19 prevented the event from being celebrated at its normal time this year. Now, the beloved event has been rescheduled and reworked to take place throughout July and early September in order to accommodate social-distancing and store capacity regulations across the country, effectively making it Free Comic Book Summer!

Scheduled to take place between July 15 and September 9, retailers will receive five to six Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) titles in their weekly shipments during each week of the promotional window. Release of these titles may vary from shop to shop, as retailers are encouraged to release the books as they see fit for their unique circumstances.

Retailers may release one free title a day, make all of that week's free titles available at once, or any other plan that works for them. Free Comic Book Summer is designed to be flexible and customizable so retailers and consumers can get the most out the event.

Available on July 15, FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2020: X-MEN will feature a brand-new X-MEN story by Jonathan Hickman and Pepe Larraz that will lead into the game-changing X OF SWORDS crossover! The second story will also foreshadow an upcoming epic tale by Tom Taylor and Iban Coello. (image via Free Comic Book Day site)

"Every year, Free Comic Book Day is our big event to thank current comics fans, welcome back former fans and invite those new to comics to join the fun," said Joe Field, originator of FCBD, and owner of Flying Colors Comics in Concord, CA. "In this very different year, Free Comic Book Day is more like Free Comic Book Summer... and there's so much fun to discover in this year's FCBD comics! So many cool stories are available for this stretched-out Free Comic Book Day 2020. I'm confident long-time fans and newcomers alike are going to find a story that'll make them want to visit their local comic shop every week! Fans, bring your friends and family and head to your local comic shop every week starting July 15 through September 9 to check out the new, and fantastic, free comics available that week!"

• Free Comic Book Summer will feature 45 of the previously announced titles from publishers like Marvel Comics, Image Comics, BOOM! Studios, Dark Horse Comics, IDW Publishing, Dynamite Entertainment, DC, and more! 
• The 45 titles are designed to appeal to a broad range of tastes and run the gamut from superhero stories, to TV and movie tie-ins, to sci-fi adventures, all-ages tales, and beyond. 
• There will also be two educational support titles from the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and Gemstone Publishing.

A complete listing of all 45 FCBD titles, including the 10 Gold Sponsor and 35 Silver Sponsor comic books, can be viewed online at freecomicbookday.com. 

On July 22, FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2020: SPIDER-MAN/VENOM will provide two exciting tales connected to the coming major storylines in VENOM, AMAZING SPIDER-MAN and BLACK CAT from top creators Donny Cates, Ryan Stegman, Jed MacKay, and Patrick Gleason and more! (image via Free Comic Book Day site)

• To view the weekly release schedule, click here.

SOURCE: Diamond Comic Distributors

New PSA from Love Has No Labels Challenges Viewers to Confront the State of Freedom in the U.S. for Black Americans [Video Included]

New PSA from Love Has No Labels Challenges Viewers to Confront the State of Freedom in the U.S. for Black Americans (screengrab)

To support the ongoing fight for racial justice for the Black community, the Ad Council and R/GA today launched a new PSA from the iconic Love Has No Labels campaign to inspire all Americans to fight for racial equality in America. 

Building on the campaign's longstanding effort to address bias, the film holds a mirror to the simple acts of freedom often celebrated and taken for granted by non-Black Americans, revealing the stark contrast of those freedoms and the way Black people in this country endure systemic racism and injustice. 

The campaign ultimately encourages viewers to come together for racial justice, directing to lovehasnolabels.com for educational and actionable resources to help continue the work toward equality.

"The campaign's message is very simple yet profound: we all have a role to play in dismantling systemic racism in this country," said Lisa Sherman, president & CEO of the Ad Council. "It's time for Americans to listen, learn and act. While we know these long-simmering problems are nothing new, we want to leverage this moment in time, a national reckoning with race, and inspire change."

Developed pro bono by R/GA, the new PSA opens with idyllic images of America and traditional symbols of freedom – flags draped from windows, children watching fireworks – before highlighting specific moments of simple activities that have led to the harassment or murder of innocent Black lives. Jogging in a neighborhood, birdwatching in a park, driving, or sleeping safely in one's own bed. Juxtaposing these images, the PSA reminds viewers that before we celebrate the freedom most Americans have, we must fight for the freedom all Americans deserve, that Black lives matter.

The campaign directs to lovehasnolabels.com, where individuals can more deeply understand the underpinnings of racism and structural inequality today and what they can do to help end it. This includes ways to get involved locally or with national racial justice organizations and better understand issues like the Black Lives Matter movement, privilege, police reform, and mass incarceration.

R/GA Strategist Aaron Harridge stated, "we did this because we are educated to believe that 'freedom' is afforded to all Americans. This isn't true. We wanted to highlight the freedoms that the privileged masses take for granted. To truly achieve 'freedom' and take on the disproportionate systematic racism targeted at the Black community, we must ALL take action." 

Strategist Brandon Heard added, "For brands, companies, and people that choose to stand behind our message, know that activating allyship is a journey. This is just the beginning of what it looks like to turn privilege into power and to employ that power in an effort to advance the culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion."

The Video:

Love Has No Labels' brand partners Bank of America, Google, Johnson & Johnson, State Farm and Walmart are supporting the campaign by promoting content across their channels. In addition to funding the campaign, brand partners show their support during the year through online and offline activations including social messaging, custom content creation, employee engagement, events and more.

The integrated campaign will also receive donated media, digital and social support from partners including: AdTheorent, Adtoniq, AMC, The Atlantic, Audiomack, Condé Nast, Cox Communications, Crackle Plus, Criteo, Effectv (Comcast), Facebook, Forbes Media, Future plc, Google, GumGum, J2 Global, LinkedIn, LiveIntent, MiQ, Philo, Pinterest, Pluto TV, Reddit, SHE Media, true[X], TuneIn, Vox Media, Wayfarer Entertainment, YouTube and others. Publicis Media worked pro bono to develop a media strategy and secure targeted donated media placements to extend the campaign's reach. IPG's Matterkind will be executing targeted media through a donated Private Marketplace with The Trade Desk. The new Love Has No Labels creative will also be featured in an upcoming virtual concert with John Legend later this month, in partnership with Wave.

New PSA from Love Has No Labels Challenges Viewers to Confront the State of Freedom in the U.S. for Black Americans (screengrab)

• The Love Has No Labels campaign first launched nationally in 2015 with a video of skeletons dancing and embracing before coming out from behind an x-ray screen to reveal themselves as diverse couples, friends and families. 
• The original "Love Has No Labels" video became the first PSA to win an Emmy for Outstanding Commercial and received more than 169 million views making it the second most viewed social activism video of all time. 
• In 2016, it was followed by "We Are America" featuring WWE Superstar John Cena celebrating the diversity of America on Independence Day. 
• In 2017, Love Has No Labels put a twist on the kiss cam by turning it into a symbol for unbiased love with "Fans of Love." 
• The campaign launched its first short film in 2018 with "Rising," written by Lena Waithe (The Chi, Master of None) and directed by David Nutter (Game of Thrones), asking the question, "why does it take a disaster to bring us together?" 
• In total, the campaign's four videos have exceeded 380 million online views.

Since the campaign's initial video launched in March 2015 there have been over 10.5 million U.S. sessions on lovehasnolabels.com. Since the launch of the campaign, significantly more adults agree that they can create a more accepting and inclusive environment (61% in March 2015 to 74% in April 2020), according to a survey commissioned by the Ad Council and conducted by Ipsos, Public Affairs. 

To date, the campaign has received more than $110 million in donated media.

SOURCE: The Ad Council

"Little Tiaras" Became the First Animated Series From Russia With Main Characters Presenting Racial Diversity

CTC Media's "Little Tiaras"

"Little Tiaras," animated series produced by Melnitsa Animation Studio, owned and managed by CTC Media and CTB Film, introduced two more exciting characters in the end of Season 2. Little Tiaras welcomed two boys – Li Van and Da Vasko – to their school of Magic in Wondermont. This makes the series the first animated series in Russia presenting racial diversity of the leading characters (Da Vasko is black and Li Van is Asian).

Ksenia Gordienko, Director of animation department, CTC Media: "No doubt that there's an evident lack of authentic characters representing diverse perspectives in children's media. We're thrilled that 'Little Tiaras' will become one of the series that will help create a more diverse on-screen landscape that will let little kids see how diverse our world is. We're very proud to be a first animated series in Russia with racial diverse main characters."

CTC Media, the leading entertainment broadcasting company in Russia, intends to increase the international sales of the project to follow the immense success of their hit series KID-E-CATS (156x5'), aimed at preschoolers.

APC Kids, the children's entertainment division of leading co-production and distribution company APC Studios based in Paris, France, is on board to distribute Little Tiaras Season 3. Earlier the exclusive free-to-air rights for season one and two have been picked up by Noga for The Children Channel in Israel, TVP for TVP ABC in Poland and All Media for Kanals 2 in Latvia. Little Tiaras will also be available in Chinese starting this summer on major local VOD platforms in mainland China – Tencent and IQiYi – as well on many others. 

Lionel Marty, Managing Director of APC Kids, says: "'Little Tiaras' recipe of magic and friendship has all the ingredients to charm children in North America and across the globe. We're excited to be continuing our collaboration with CTC Media on the third season and can't wait for audiences to discover the exciting new characters: two boys arriving in Wondermont!"

SOURCE: CTC Media