For Release:



For Release: March 5, 2012

Cartoon Network Asks Kids to SPEAK UP

Network’s First Original Documentary Speak Up Premieres Sunday, March 18 at 5:30 p.m. (ET/PT)

With an Encore at 8 p.m. (ET, PT)

Commercial-Free Telecast Part of the Award-Winning “Stop Bullying: Speak Up” Pro-Social Campaign

Viewers to Have Questions Answered Online by Renowned Bullying Expert Rosalind Wiseman

Speak Up, an original documentary from Cartoon Network, captures the authentic, everyday stories of America’s bullied kids and the youth who have helped them. The half-hour film is an extension of the network’s nationally recognized and award-winning pro-social initiative Stop Bullying: Speak Up, which seeks to empower all kids to take part in the growing movement to help bring an end to bullying. This moving, thoughtful and hopeful program consists of candid interviews with kids, mostly between the ages of 8 and 13 years old, who either are or have been the target of bullies, bystanders in a bullying situation or even bullies themselves. Demonstrating remarkable courage to speak openly and honestly about their own experiences, these brave youngsters offer empathy, strength and reassurance for all victims of bullying, as well as to bystanders, with a clear message that speaking up is the best way to bring about an end to bullying.

Speak Up will premiere commercial-free on Sunday, March 18 at 5:30 p.m. (ET/PT) with an 8 p.m. encore telecast. Before, during and immediately following the telecast, renowned bullying prevention expert and author Rosalind Wiseman will provide further explanation of key bullying issues for kids and adults, answering viewer questions online at . Speak Up also will be posted in its entirety on the website for ongoing viewing by students, parents, educators and community leaders. Further viewing of Speak Up across multiple digital platforms will be facilitated free of charge to customers through Comcast Xfinity, Facebook, iTunes, Xbox 360+Kinect and , each for at least two weeks following the world premiere.

Along with the documentary’s youth participants discussing the difficulties in approaching adults and getting them to understand their situation, Speak Up also offers hope and encouragement from the three young hosts of Cartoon Network’s Dude What Would Happen (CJ Manigo, Ali Sepasyar and Jackson Rogow); Chris Webber (Five-time NBA All-Star); Matt Wilhelm (Pro BMX champion); and NASCAR race car drivers including Trevor Bayne (2011 Daytona 500 winner), Jeff Burton and Joey Logano (youngest winner of a NASCAR Sprint Cup race). Each appear in the film to share their experiences with bullying and to encourage kids in finding the best ways to reach out for help. They furthermore explain ways bystanders can be helpful to a victim, whether by gently asking if he/she is OK or by walking them to class.

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“Our ongoing research and direct conversations with kids told us plainly that bullying was a major issue most kids believed they could do something about it if given the right tools for dealing with it,” said Stuart Snyder, president and chief operating officer for Cartoon Network. “This inspired us to create the ‘Stop Bullying: Speak Up” campaign nearly two years ago and we hope that Speak Up is a program that families will watch together.”

Speak Up is directed by Lee Hoffman (Third Act Productions), executive produced by Hoffman and Cartoon Network Chief Content Officer Rob Sorcher, and produced by Rebecca Miller. Original theme music for the documentary, “Speak Up” was written and performed by Jonathon Tortora, Fredric Duey and Brett Spigelman.

Complete press materials—including the complete documentary, artwork, bios and embeddable clip highlights from Speak Up—is available to all journalists at speakup, using the password: speakup.

Cartoon Network (), currently seen in more than 99 million U.S. homes and 166 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s ad-supported cable service now available in HD offering the best in original, acquired and classic entertainment for youth and families.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

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CONTACTS:

Atlanta James Anderson (404) 885-4205 james.anderson@

Joe Swaney (404) 885-0657 joe.swaney@

Los Angeles Jessica Barba (310) 788-6756 jessica.barba@

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President Barack Obama Joins Cartoon Network To Speak Up Against Bullying

Will Introduce The Network’s Original Documentary Speak Up Premiering Sunday, March 18

at 5:30 p.m. (ET/PT)With an Encore at 8 p.m. (ET, PT)

Commercial-Free Telecast Part of the Award-Winning “Stop Bullying: Speak Up” Pro-Social Campaign

President Barack Obama will deliver a special opening message that will introduce viewers to Speak Up, the original documentary from Cartoon Network that captures the authentic, everyday stories of America’s bullied kids and the youth who have helped them. Having already recognized the importance of dealing with this crucial issue by hosting the first-ever bullying prevention summit at the White House in 2011, Mr. Obama will speak to viewers, not only as the President but as a father and emphasize the importance of taking a stand against bullying.

The half-hour film, which is an extension of the network’s nationally recognized and award-winning pro-social initiative Stop Bullying: Speak Up, seeks to empower all kids to take part in the growing movement to help bring an end to bullying. It will premiere commercial-free on Sunday, March 18 at 5:30 p.m. (ET/PT) with an 8:00 p.m. encore telecast. Speak Up is directed by Lee Hoffman (Third Act Productions), executive produced by Hoffman and Cartoon Network Chief Content Officer Rob Sorcher, and produced by Rebecca Miller.

“We are honored that President Obama wanted to add his voice to our program,” said Stuart Snyder, president and COO, Turner Broadcasting’s Animation, Young Adults & Kids Media division. “This is such a key issue for our audience and their families and his participation helps even more to raise awareness about the importance of speaking up.”

Before, during and immediately following the telecast, renowned bullying prevention expert and author Rosalind Wiseman will provide further explanation of key bullying issues for kids and adults, answering viewer questions online at . Speak Up also will be posted in its entirety on the website for ongoing viewing by students, parents, educators and community leaders. Further viewing of Speak Up across multiple digital platforms will be facilitated free of charge to customers through Comcast Xfinity, Facebook, iTunes and , each for at least two weeks following the world premiere.

Along with the documentary’s youth participants discussing the difficulties in approaching adults and getting them to understand their situation, Speak Up also features appearances from the hosts of Cartoon Network’s Dude What Would Happen (CJ Manigo, Ali Sepasyar and Jackson Rogow), Venus Williams (World Tennis Champion), Chris Webber (Five time NBA All-Star), Hope Solo (Soccer Star), Matt Wilhelm (Pro BMX champion), Lisa Leslie (WNBA All-Star) and NASCAR drivers Trevor Bayne (2011 Daytona 500 winner), Jeff Burton and Joey Logano (youngest winner of a NASCAR Sprint Cup race).

Original theme music for the documentary, “Speak Up” was written and performed by Jonathon Tortora, Fredric Duey and Brett Spigelman.

Cartoon Network (), currently seen in more than 99 million U.S. homes and 168 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s ad-supported cable service now available in HD offering the best in original, acquired and classic entertainment for youth and families.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

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CONTACTS:

Atlanta James Anderson (404) 885-4205 james.anderson@

Joe Swaney (404) 885-0657 joe.swaney@

Los Angeles Jessica Barba (310) 788-6756 jessica.barba@

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