Shutterstock Celebrates Oscar-Nominated Films With Reimagined Movie Posters
Shutterstock today launched its eighth annual Oscar Pop! poster series to celebrate the best picture nominees in the 92nd Academy Awards.
Each of the posters features photos, vectors, textures and illustrations from Shutterstock's diverse collection of over 300 million images while drawing inspiration from world-famous pop artists.
The renowned artists selected to serve as an influence for the designs range from contemporary to classic, and chaotic to minimalist. With distinctive elements such as the oversaturated colors of Japanese contemporary artist, Yayoi Kusama, and iconic imagery like the unmistakable swimming pool from influential British artist, David Hockney, each design is a unique retelling of a best picture nominee. The vibrant and sometimes playful colors, styles and techniques of pop artists offer fresh and unexpected perspectives on this year's top films, which tell a variety of powerful and captivating stories. The hundreds of millions of high-quality images provided by over 1 million talented contributors around the world serve as the foundation for each of the creative works, demonstrating the sheer volume and relevancy of content available in Shutterstock's collection.
This year's list of nominated films and artists that inspired the designers include:
1917inspired by David Carson
Ford v Ferrari inspired by Takashi Murakami
Jojo Rabbitinspired by Yayoi Kusama
Joker inspired by Daniel Norris
Little Womeninspired by Pauline Boty
Marriage Storyinspired by Robert Indiana
Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood inspired by David Hockney
Parasiteinspired by Saul Bass
The Irishmaninspired by Thierry Guetta
"From depressed divorcées and supportive sisters to action heroes and comic book villains, this year's nominated films provide a surplus of inspiration for our designers to create this unique poster series," said Mike McCabe, VP, Creative at Shutterstock. "Not only does this tradition serve as a fun exercise for our creative team to explore the depth of the Shutterstock collection as a customer, but it also demonstrates the unique ways in which the incredible artwork of our contributor community can be recombined to create something new."
The Posters:
"1917" Poster by JC Moreno
"Ford v Ferrari" Poster by Alice Lee
"The Irishman" Poster by Alex Bodin
"Jojo Rabbit" Poster by Thanh Nguyen
"Joker" Poster by Jac Castillo
"Little Women" Poster by Alex Clem
"Marriage Story" Poster by Flo Lau
"Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood" Poster by Ian Calleja
"Parasite" Poster by Nicole Dai
Play through the time-lapse video to see how each designer created their poster by weaving Shutterstock images into their original graphics.
In addition to the celebratory Oscars Pop! poster series, Shutterstock will be in prime positions at the 92nd Academy Awards ceremony on Sunday, February 9th, covering celebrity arrivals on the red carpet, as well as the press room and a number of after-parties.
Citizens Regeneration Lobby - Group Representing U.S. Consumers, Farmers & Ranchers - Endorses Bernie Sanders (jmage via berniesanders.com)
The Board of Directors for Citizens Regeneration Lobby (CRL), representing about 2 million U.S. consumers and thousands of farmers and ranchers, today announced its endorsement of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Ronnie Cummins, president of the board, issued the following statement:
"Sen. Sanders, the first of the 2020 Democratic presidential contenders to back the Green New Deal, has outlined a $16.3-trillion plan that includes $841 billion to transform the U.S. industrial agriculture system into an organic regenerative food and farming system that supports independent family farmers, guarantees access to healthy, locally produced food for all, cleans up our waterways, restores soil health and biodiversity and promotes climate stability. Industrial agriculture's monopolistic approach to food and farming has all but destroyed America's family farms and rural communities. And the industry's reliance on toxic chemicals and degenerative farming practices makes it one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas pollution. Sanders' Green New Deal, in addition to holding the fossil fuel industry legally and financially accountable for its pollution and climate-destructive behavior, also takes on Big Ag by, among other things, enforcing anti-trust laws and declaring a moratorium on factory farms. Sanders' Green New Deal is the only plan in the industrialized world that sets a goal high enough to actually reverse global warming and eliminate economic injustice, environmental destruction, deteriorating public health and global conflict, while also offering the first realistic assessment and timeline for what needs to be done in the limited timeframe left to avoid climate catastrophe."
In September 2019, CRL, along with Regeneration International, Organic Consumers Association, the Sunrise Movement and other organizations, launched the national coalition of U.S. Farmers & Ranchers for a Green New Deal.
The coalition represents about 20,000 independent farmers, ranchers and members of food and farming organizations committed to overhauling U.S. agriculture policies in order to advance organic regenerative agriculture and land-management practices.
Citizens Regeneration Lobby is the 501(c)(4) sister lobbying organization of the Organic Consumers Association. The nonprofit grassroots organization lobbies on behalf of millions of consumers and farmers for safe, healthful food and a clean, biodiverse, climate-stable ecosystem.
Bill Murray reprises “Groundhog Day” film role for Jeep brand’s Super Bowl Commercial
In its return to the Big Game, the Jeep brand debuted a 60-second commercial starring Bill Murray reprising his role as Phil Connors from the 1993 film "Groundhog Day." In the commercial, Phil Connors enlists the help of the Jeep Gladiator as his "getaway vehicle" after taking the groundhog, thus significantly altering his days for the better.
The spot opens as the clock turns 6:00 a.m. "I Got You Babe" by Sonny & Cher starts playing, replicating the scene from the film. Phil Connors himself suddenly sits upright in bed. Twenty-seven years later, he's stuck in Punxsutawney once again. The Jeep brand worked closely with Sony Pictures to ensure authenticity with the original film, which is now available to buy on disc and digital.
"In my wildest dreams, any advertiser's dream, really, could you dare to believe that Bill Murray would agree to be in your Super Bowl commercial, and on top of that, ask him to relive his iconic role in 'Groundhog Day'?," said Olivier Francois, Chief Marketing Officer, FCA. "How do you even have that make sense and not be forced? Magic first happened when I had the incredible luck to meet Bill in person a few years ago, and I knew then that he was perfect for Jeep. Because like Jeep, Bill is a free spirit, he intentionally seeks out ways to find adventure and live an extraordinary life."
Francois continued, "When we learned that Groundhog Day fell on Super Bowl Sunday for the second time in 54 years, we couldn't help but take that chance. The stars magically aligned. Bill agreed to do the first national broadcast commercial in which he's ever appeared, and not only that, relive his role as Phil Connors for our Jeep Gladiator. But this time, in our spot, the hero makes a different choice by choosing a different pick-up truck – the Jeep Gladiator – and it changes everything for him."
Bill Murray reprises “Groundhog Day” film role for Jeep brand’s Super Bowl Commercial
"This is my first commercial. I'm glad I did it with you (Jeep)," said Bill Murray. "And I'm glad that this is my last commercial, as well."
Locations featured in the commercial include the original bed-and-breakfast where Bill Murray's character Phil Connors wakes up every morning; the Town Square where the Groundhog Day Festival takes place in the original movie; and the restaurant in Woodstock where Bill Murray's character toasts to "world peace" in the original movie.
The brand also licensed the iconic Sonny & Cher song "I've Got You Babe" from Warner Music for use in the commercial.
Consumers will soon be able to pair a Jeep Gladiator and the all-new Jeep e-Bike powered by QuietKat (as seen in the commercial) to continue their own adventure, beginning early this summer. For more information, visit jeepe-bike.com. The Groundhog fun continues with a custom collection of merchandise inspired by the commercial on jeep.com/gear.
The Video:
The Jeep brand commercial was created in partnership with Chicago-based agency Highdive, the Jeep Brand Agency of Record and 2019 Ad Age Small Agency of the Year (Midwest, Gold).
About Poppy the Groundhog Featured in the Commercial:
Poppy (now 10 months old) was rescued at 4 weeks old, and a birth defect prevented her from returning to the wild. She is currently in the care of a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in Pennsylvania and is a beloved member of the caretaker's family. Poppy is a state- and USDA-licensed educational animal. Now thriving, Poppy has become an educational "ambassador" for all wildlife.
In the original 1993 film, Bill Murray is at his wry, wisecracking best in this riotous romantic comedy about a weatherman caught in a personal time warp on the worst day of his life. Teamed with a relentlessly cheerful producer (Andie MacDowell) and a smart-aleck cameraman (Chris Elliott), TV weatherman Phil Connors (Bill Murray) is sent to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to cover the annual Groundhog Day festivities.
After a surprise blizzard traps him in small-town hell, things get even worse; Phil wakes the next morning to find it's GROUNDHOG DAY all over again… and again…and again.
Toyota’s Big Game ad, “Heroes,” features Actress Cobie Smulders and the all-new 2020 Highlander.
From aliens and adventure to wild west outlaws, Toyota brings the adventure to this year's Big Game to spotlight the all-new 2020 Toyota Highlander. In the spot, titled "Heroes", actress Cobie Smulders is behind the wheel of the powerful SUV in the role of action hero and mother, as she rescues a cast of characters in familiar movie moments.
From aliens and adventure to wild west outlaws, Toyota brings the action to this year’s Big Game with the spot “Heroes.”
"This commercial truly highlights the all-new Highlander's incredible array of features, even greater capabilities and spacious interior," said Ed Laukes, group vice president, Toyota Marketing, Toyota Motor North America. "The spot's message of 'go wherever they need you' speaks to the adventurous spirit of Highlander and its ability to help drivers tap into their inner hero."
The spot, which will appear in the first ad break of the fourth quarter, features the Highlander Platinum grade. The ad kicks off the "GO HIGHLANDER" campaign for the fourth-generation Highlander, the best-selling retail model in the midsize SUV segment since 2016.
Actress Cobie Smulders on-set during Toyota’s shoot for the 2020 Big Game ad, “Heroes.”
"When Toyota approached me, I felt very flattered getting to play the hero in my first-ever Big Game commercial," said actress Cobie Smulders. "I'm a mom, and I love that I'm playing a mom in this ad. When I think of heroes, I think of women and moms - the toughest people out there - and to be able to represent that is a wonderful thing."
The Video:
"The spot was created by Toyota's agency of record, Saatchi & Saatchi. A high-intensity movie trailer music piece, which was uniquely composed for the spot, carries the viewer through each twist and turn of the Highlander's exciting journey."
Trump Cancels Obama Landmine Policy; Ensures Civilian Suffering With New Mine Use Potential (image via LoupDargent.info)
The Trump Administration has announced a deadly landmine policy shift, effectively committing the U.S. to resume the use and stockpiling of antipersonnel landmines. Landmines are devastating, victim-activated devices that cannot discriminate between the footstep of a child or that of a soldier.
"This move is a death sentence for civilians," says Jerome Bobin, Canadian Executive Director of Humanity & Inclusion. "There are acts in war that are simply out of bounds. Nations, even superpowers, must never use certain weapons because of the superfluous injury and unnecessary suffering they cause. Landmines fall directly into this category. There is no use for landmines that cannot be accomplished by other means that do not so significantly and indiscriminately kill and maim civilians."
The move is a direct reversal of President Obama's 2014 commitment that inched the U.S. closer to compliance with the 1997 Ottawa Convention, known as the Mine Ban Treaty. President Obama's move left only the Korean peninsula as an exception, due to ongoing mine use in the demilitarized zone.
Failure rate
The announcement states, "The Department of Defense is issuing a new landmine policy. This policy will authorize Combatant Commanders, in exceptional circumstances, to employ advanced, non-persistent landmines specifically designed to reduce unintended harm to civilians and partner forces."
Non-persistent mines are typically laid on the ground surface, and they should be able to destroy themselves within a relatively short period of time—from few hours to days.
"Don't be fooled," warns Alma Taslidžan Al-Osta, Humanity & Inclusion's Disarmament and Protection of Civilians Advocacy Manager. "Everything that man creates has a failure rate. The idea that so-called "advanced" landmines will be safer than older types of devices, is absurd. What happens if they don't neutralize as intended? Our teams see, first hand, how weapons often marketed as "self destructing" continue to injure, maim, and terrorize civilians all over the world on a daily basis. We also see how quickly and regularly civilians move from one area to another to avoid conflict. What if they enter a mined area and such self-destruction hasn't happened to the mines around them?"
Mine Ban Treaty
The U.S. is one of the few countries that has yet to join the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, sharing ranks with China, Egypt, India, Israel, Pakistan, and Russia. There are 164 States parties to the treaty, making the ban on landmines a universal norm of international humanitarian law. However, the great paradox of this policy shift is that for nearly 30 years, the U.S. has refrained from using or trading antipersonnel landmines.
What's more, the policy change sends a very negative signal, essentially handing a blank check to States or groups willing to continue or expand their use of landmines, which had significantly decreased after the entry into force of the Mine Ban Treaty. "Canada cannot remain indifferent to this dramatic American movement," Bobin adds.
Humanity & Inclusion's decades of experience with clearing landmines, as well as taking care of survivors of landmine explosions, leads to the conclusion that no use is safe.
"We oppose in the strongest terms the idea that military commanders will feel empowered to use mines," Bobin notes. "The safest landmine is the one that is never produced."
Backward step
"Make no mistake, this is absolutely a step backward," Bobin adds. "This significant and negative development is a thunderclap for all of the thousands of individuals who have survived contact with a landmine, as well as the family and friends of hundreds of thousands who have not."
Humanity & Inclusion runs projects to minimize the impact of landmines on civilians in dozens of countries, returning land to communities through demining, teaching people to spot, avoid and report explosive remnants of war through risk education, and providing support and care to victims of landmines. The organization works to raise the visibility of these landmine victims and their communities, so that the world is reminded of the scourge of landmines.
Mine Ban Treaty
The Mine Ban Treaty prohibits the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of antipersonnel mines. It is the most comprehensive international instrument for eradicating landmines and deals with everything from mine use, production and trade, to victim assistance, mine clearance and stockpile destruction. The treaty has been signed in Ottawa in 1997.
The International Campaign against Landmines received the Nobel Peace Price, Oslo, December 1997 (image via Humanity & Inclusion)
About Humanity & Inclusion
Co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for its work banning landmines, Humanity & Inclusion (the new name of handicap international), is an independent international aid organization working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster for 38 years. Humanity & Inclusion is one of six founding organizations of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), co-recipient of the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize, and winner of the 2011 Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize.
Humanity & Inclusion takes action and campaigns in places where "living with dignity" is no easy task. In 2018, Humanity & Inclusion's projects directly benefited 2.1 million people.
Yo Gotti's Highly Anticipated New Album 'Untrapped' Out Now (Screengrab)
After maximizing anticipation throughout the past month, multiplatinum Memphis superstar rapper and CMG mogul Yo Gotti unveils his anxiously awaited tenth full-length studio album and first in three years, Untrapped, today. Upon going live, it catapulted into the Top 10 of iTunes Top Hip-Hop/Rap Albums Chart where it still remains. On Tuesday, he welcomed a bevy of tastemakers, DJs, on-air personalities, celebrities, and peers to experience Untrapped before anyone during a posh private dinner at the Four Seasons in New York City. Rather than ban smartphones, the MC encouraged social interaction, posts, and tweets. As a result, social media lit up with buzz for the impending release and heightened excitement.
He also preceded the record with single "H.O.E. (Heaven On Earth)." In under a week, it tallied 1.3 million Spotify streams and 1 million-plus views on the music video. Straight out of the gate, it garnered major looks from Billboard and more as Hypebeast promised, "Yo Gotti has been cooking up something major in the past two years."
Earlier this week, he also pulled up on Funkmaster Flex for what has become a much-talked about Freestyle.
Additionally, he uncovered another single entitled "More Ready Than Ever." His deft wordplay and dynamic hooks take center stage once again as he rocks through the bold and braggadocious banger with confidence and charisma. Those anthems only represent two sides of Untrapped though.
Check out the full tracklisting below.
In other big news, his 2019 smash "Put A Date On It" [feat. Lil Baby] just scored a platinum certification from the RIAA. Meanwhile, the video stood out as one of the "most-watched" music videos of the year, cranking out 167 million views.
Untrapped represents a watershed moment for Yo Gotti and hip-hop at large.
"Some rappers leave everything on tape like heavyweights in the ring. You can hear the blood, sweat, and tears in each bar Yo Gotti spits. Nobody hustles harder. Nobody raps tighter. To date, he has landed three consecutive Top 10 debuts on the Billboard Top 200 with the gold-certified I Am [2013], gold-certified The Art of Hustle [2016], and I Still Am [2017]. Not to mention, he unleashed two double-platinum smashes "Down in the DM" and "Rake It Up"[feat. Nicki Minaj] as well as the gold-certified "Law" [feat. E-40], "5 Star," "Act Right" [feat. Jeezy & YG], and "I Know" [feat. Rich Homie Quan]. Between sold out tours with the likes of G-Eazy and Logic as well as an annual sold-out Birthday Bash in Memphis accompanied by everyone from Lil Wayne to Young Thug, he has performed and appeared on NBC's The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, ABC's Jimmy Kimmel LIVE!, The Real, and BET. He hits and hustles just as hard in 2020 as he launches his biggest movement yet."
Be prepared…
Tracklisting:
01 Trapped 02 Know Yo Worth 03 H.O.E. (Heaven On Earth) 04 More Ready Than Ever 05 Like That feat. A Boogie wit da Hoodie & Ty Dolla $ign 06 Put A Date On It feat. Lil Baby 07 They Ain't Want Me To Know 08 Pose feat. Megan Thee Stallion & Lil Uzi Vert 09 Weekend feat. Moneybagg Yo 10 Dopechella feat. Rick Ross 11 Battle feat. Blac Youngsta 12 Bounce That 13 Big Homie 14 Untrapped ft. Estelle 15 Pose feat. Lil Uzi Vert **BONUS**
Yo Gotti's Highly Anticipated New Album 'Untrapped' Out Now (PRNewsfoto/Yo Gotti)
Canada's Major Internet Service Providers Release New Video Series To Support Deaf, Deaf-Blind And Hard Of Hearing Consumers (Screengrab)
Canada's major Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have produced a video series in American Sign Language (ASL) and Langue des signes du Québec (LSQ) to support Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing (DDBHH) Internet customers to coincide with today's launch of Canada's new Internet Code.
The Internet code was created by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) in July 2019 to enhance consumer protections in connection with the acquisition and use of Internet services.
Each of the seven Internet Code videos address specific themes using plain language and clear examples:
Common terminology:
Terminology - Contracts & Billing – Getting Started
Terminology - Contracts & Billing – Fees
Terminology - Contracts & Billing – Documents, Policies and Notifications
Terminology - Networks
Terminology - Devices & Tech Support
The Internet Code and Your Rights as a Customer
Methods to Manage Data Use
All videos are fully accessible and include captions, voice-over and transcripts.
This video series is part of the ongoing collaboration between service providers and the DDBHH community and reflects ISPs' commitment to ensuring that Canadians have informed access to telecom services. The Internet Code video series follows the release of similar ASL and LSQ videos that provide the DDBHH community with an accessible overview of the Wireless Code, and an explanation of Canada's Wireless Public Alerting system.
Internet Code videos can be found on or accessed through the following ISP websites:
About Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA):
CWTA is the authority on wireless issues, developments and trends in Canada. It represents companies that provide services and products across the wireless sector. Representing the industry before all levels of government and various regulatory agencies, CWTA actively promotes the industry with the goal of ensuring continued growth of the wireless sector in Canada. CWTA administers a number of initiatives on behalf of its members, including corporate social responsibility programs and the national common short codes program. Given that CWTA had already successfully worked with organizations representing DDBHH communities to develop a series of similar videos for Canada's Wireless Code, the Association was asked to work in partnership with ISPs to develop the Internet Code Video series as well.
"The Age of A.I." - YouTube Originals New Learning Series Hosted By Robert Downey Jr. - Releases New Episodes Weekly (Screengrab)
"The Age of A.I." takes a deep dive into the fascinating world of the most transformational technology in the history of humankind. Robert Downey Jr. brings his irreverent enthusiasm and curiosity to the screen as the series takes an immersive look at artificial intelligence and its potential to change the world.
"The Age of A.I." was produced by Vancouver-based Network Entertainment and was filmed in eight countries on six continents. Over 150 Canadians worked on the series in various roles, spanning executive producers to post-production, and two of the stories were based in Canada: one in Vancouver at Sanctuary AI, and the other at Waterloo RoboHub at the University of Waterloo in Ontario.
How is artificial intelligence reshaping our world? Can machine learning enhance the human experience? Can artificial intelligence help level the playing field for people with disabilities? Can the state of the world be saved with an algorithm? Will a robot take my job?
These are just a few of the questions explored as "The Age of A.I." examines the technology that will impact our world for years to come. In each episode, viewers will meet the people on the front lines of A.I. – the scientists, innovators, and dreamers who are shaping the future and the real people whose lives may be forever changed as technology races to tackle some of the world's greatest challenges.
"The Age of A.I." - YouTube Originals New Learning Series Hosted By Robert Downey Jr. - Releases New Episodes Weekly (Screengrab)
The series is produced by Network Entertainment with Team Downey in association with Sonar Entertainment. Sean Foley, Yon Motskin, Emily Ford, Cory Lanier, Tom Lesinski, Paul Gertz, and Derik Murray serve as executive producers alongside Robert Downey Jr. and Susan Downey.
Will.i.am is a consulting producer with Evan Moore serving as a co-producer on the series. Susanne Daniels is Global Head of Original Content for YouTube. Nadine Zylstra, Head of Learning for YouTube Originals along with Ian Roth and Laurel Stier on the Learning Development team will oversee the project for the global platform.
"The Age of A.I." - YouTube Originals New Learning Series Hosted By Robert Downey Jr.
"The Age of A.I." joins a growing slate of YouTube Originals focused on learning. Other projects include the platform's monthly book club, "BookTube" featuring prominent authors like Malcolm Gladwell; "Could You Survive the Movies?" hosted by Vsauce3's Jake Roper; "Mind Field: What is the Scariest Thing?" with Vsauce creator Michael Stevens; "Glad You Asked" from Vox Media Studios, and Retro Tech with Marques Brownlee. Upcoming Originals include "Creators for Change with Michelle Obama: Girls' Education" premiering this year.
Team Downey is an entertainment company founded by Robert Downey Jr. and Susan Downey that produces film, television and digital properties. A two-time Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner, Downey Jr. is perhaps best known for his performance in the title role of the blockbuster franchise "Iron Man." Prior to joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he made his mark in Hollywood with his Academy Award-nominated performances in "Chaplin" and "Tropic Thunder," for which he also earned a Golden Globe. Susan Downey is a prolific film producer who has collaborated with many of the industry's most renowned talents on a diverse list of films. She produced the psychological drama "The Brave One," the horror thrillers "Gothika," "House of Wax" and "Orphan" and executive produced the post-apocalyptic drama "The Book of Eli," "Iron Man 2" and the hit comedy "Due Date," among others. Together, the pair have collaborated on numerous notable projects including the successful action adventure franchise "Sherlock Holmes," which garnered over $1 billion at the worldwide box office, the cult classic "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" and "The Judge," earning Robert Duvall an Academy Award nomination, among other accolades. Team Downey recently produced the family adventure film "Dolittle" for Universal, which was released on January 17, 2020. "Dolittle" features an all-star cast with Downey Jr. in the title role. Team Downey is in various stages of development on several other anticipated feature projects including "A Head Full of Ghosts" with Osgood Perkins attached to write and direct and an untitled feature based on Gimlet Media's "Reply All" podcast episode "Man of the People," with Richard Linklater writing and directing. On the television side, Team Downey most recently signed a one-year, first-look deal with HBO. Under the new deal, the company will create and develop new projects, further expanding their partnership with the premium cable network as they are currently producing "Perry Mason." The series, which is set to premiere this summer 2020, stars Matthew Rhys in the title role, with episodes directed by Tim Van Patten and Denize Gamze Ergüven, and written by Rolin Jones and Ron Fitzgerald. Additionally, Team Downey is also prepping the series Sweet Tooth for Warner Bros. Television and YouTube Originals recently premiered the first four episodes of its docuseries "The Age of A.I." The final four episodes of the critically-acclaimed series were released on January 15.
Oceana Report: Soft Drink Industry Can Stop Billions Of Plastic Bottles From Polluting The Ocean By Switching To Refillables (jmage via oceana.org)
Oceana, the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation, released a report today finding that the beverage industry could decrease marine plastic pollution by 4.5 billion to 7.6 billion bottles each year, a 22% decrease, by increasing the market share of soft drinks and water sold in refillable bottles by just 10% (in place of single-use throwaway PET bottles).
The report, entitled "Just one word: Refillables. How the soft drink industry can reduce marine plastic pollution by billions of bottles each year," also estimates that between 20 billion and 34 billion plastic PET bottles produced and sold by the soft drink or Non-Alcoholic Ready to Drink (NARTD) industry enter the ocean each year.
"Beverage companies are major ocean polluters and are producing billions of plastic bottles every year that end up in the sea essentially forever," said Oceana CEO Andy Sharpless. "They need to take responsibility and make commitments to reduce plastic production and waste."
The report was announced at investor and media briefings held at HSBC USA headquarters in New York. Attendees also heard about HSBC Global Research reports detailing how prominent bottlers in Latin America are leading the trend toward refillables.
"As public awareness of plastic waste in the world's oceans grows, the global beverage industry is grappling with the risk of brand damage and higher regulatory costs from its outsized reliance on disposable plastic bottles. Oceana's report brings much-needed insight into the scale of the environmental problem and an emerging solution in a transition to refillables," said Carlos Laboy, Global Beverage Head and Latin American Food Analyst, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc.
The report notes that studies have found that refillable bottles have a lower carbon footprint than single-use throwaway plastic bottles, citing recent life cycle analysis studies in Germany and Chile. Dr. Henning Wilts of the Wuppertal Institute writes in the report that "looking at the specific case of refillable PET bottles as compared to single-use bottles, (lifecycle) analyses found that refillables save up to 40% of raw materials and 50% of greenhouse gas emissions."
Recycling rates are declining in the U.S., and only 9% of all plastic ever produced has been recycled, Oceana's report notes. In addition, single-use throwaway bottles with recycled content still become pollution in the ocean because the companies don't recover these bottles after selling them. In contrast, 95% to 99% of refillables are returned to beverage companies for re-use.
Studies have found that plastic pollution is dramatically impacting life in the oceans. A recent report found that 90% of all seabird species have ingested plastic, and even zooplankton – the base of the food chain – has been found to be ingesting plastic. Oceana is campaigning around the world to reduce throwaway plastic production and address this problem at its source.
"Just one word: Refillables. How the soft drink industry can reduce marine plastic pollution by billions of bottles each year"
Disney Channel's "ZOMBIES 2" AWOO Challenge Invites Fans to Be Part of the Longest Howling Video Of All Time (image via z2awoo.com)
Disney Channel is launching a "ZOMBIES 2" AWOO Challenge, an interactive promotion that gives fans the opportunity to be part of the longest howl of all time. "ZOMBIES 2," the highly anticipated sequel to the Disney Channel Original Movie "ZOMBIES," premieres Friday, February 14 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel and DisneyNOW.
Beginning today through Sunday, February 2, fans can show off their wild side by entering the "ZOMBIES 2" AWOO Challenge and uploading their very own howling video, to potentially be included in a compilation video to be released on National Werewolf Day on Thursday, February 6. All submissions will be entered for a chance to win a "ZOMBIES 2" prize pack full of movie-inspired swag from the upcoming Disney Channel Original Movie.
In addition, fans can also participate in the "ZOMBIES 2" AWOO Challenge by visiting a special "ZOMBIES 2" Surprise Lockers event in three locations across the country to record and upload their video in-person. The "ZOMBIES 2" Surprise Lockers events are scheduled for Saturday, February 1 and Sunday, February 2 in the following cities: San Diego, California (Fashion Valley Mall), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (King of Prussia), and Louisville, Kentucky (Jurassic Quest at the Kentucky Exposition Center).
"ZOMBIES 2" is a music- and dance-filled story that picks up as cheerleader Addison and zombie football player Zed are readying for Seabrook High's Prawn, the school's super-sized prom. However, the arrival of a new group of outsiders – mysterious werewolves – threatens to shake up Seabrook's newfound peace and causes a rift in Zed and Addison's budding romance.
For more information on the "ZOMBIES 2" AWOO Challenge, visit z2awoo.com.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Many Will Enter, 25 Will Win. Enter sweepstakes by 2/2/20 at 11:59pm ET. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. & D.C. See Official Rules here z2awoo.com/official-rules for full details including eligibility, prize descriptions & limitations. Void where prohibited.
The 'Support Australia' t-shirts from Ruckify have a list of organisations you can help during and after the bushfire crisis (image via Ruckify.com)
Ruckify, the global peer-to-peer marketplace for all things rentals, has launched a t-shirt fundraising campaign to support those affected by the devastating Australian bushfires.
The shirts, which will be available on a dedicated RuckifyStore, list a number of organisations people can donate to both during and after the fire crisis that has devastated communities and destroyed large tracts of wilderness in recent months.
All proceeds will be donated to the New South Wales Rural Fire Service (RFS) for firefighting equipment and training as Australia's bushfire season continues, while anyone who purchases a shirt will receive $5 off a Ruckify rental of their choice.
The idea and design for the shirts came from Ruckify staff, after a company-wide conversation about feelings of helplessness as news of the disaster flowed in.
Ruckify founder and CEO Steve Cody said staff had helped communities inundated near the company's headquarters during the Ottawa River floods in April 2019, and wanted to find a way to lend support to others in need on the other side of the world.
"Since Ruckify's founding two years ago, community, environmentalism, and sustainability have been at the heart of our values," Mr Cody said. "These fires have dealt a blow to the Australian people, and the environment, that will be felt for years to come. These disasters affect us all, and will continue to do so as the effects of climate change become more apparent. Australians help North Americans every year with funding and resources during wildfire season, and we want to contribute in any way we can."
The fundraising campaign complements Ruckify's ongoing TreeProject, the company's commitment to plant a tree for every sign-up, transaction, and review at ruckify.com.
"It's time for all of us to step up and acknowledge the status quo will no longer work in the face of climate change and the resulting natural disasters," Mr Cody said. Through both our shirt fundraising campaign and TreeProjectcampaign, we want to be part of the solution."
The front and back of the Ruckify 'Support Australia' shirts (CNW Group/Ruckify)
Those interested in the $30 shirts can order them at the dedicated RuckifyStore, where they will be shipped for free.
About Ruckify
Ruckify is the world's largest online peer-to-peer rental marketplace, empowering its members to embrace the sharing economy and leave unnecessary purchases behind. Designed with both people and businesses in mind, anyone can post their items and spaces on Ruckify for people in their community to rent. Founded in Ottawa, Canada in 2018 on a foundation of community building, environmentalism, education, and freedom, Ruckify is dedicated to changing the world and curtailing the spread of unsustainable consumerism. The platform has also launched TreeProject, a commitment from Ruckify to plant a tree for every transaction made on the app.
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