News: TNA Launches Anti Bullying Campaign

[Dizzy]

This is 2 days old. Surprised nobody posted it:

TOTAL NONSTOP ACTION (TNA) WRESTLING LAUNCHES ANTI-BULLYING CAMPAIGN
TNA’s “Eliminate the Hate” Campaign Launches This Week

Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling wants to put a headlock on bullying, an epidemic that has gripped the U.S. for decades, but has recently gained national attention this fall with its link to a number of teen suicides.

TNA officials today announced TNA’s “Eliminate the Hate” campaign, aimed at ending bullying of all kinds.

TNA Wrestling is implementing a massive marketing effort for their “Eliminate the Hate” campaign. PSAs will be featured on TNA programming, including its Thursday night line-up on Spike (TNA iMPACT! and ReAction/ 9pm-12am ET). In addition, spots will be placed on all other TNA Wrestling platforms, including their website (www.tnawrestling.com), DVDs and all social networking sites including Facebook® and Twitter®.

TNA is also working closely with the hit Sirius XM® primetime show, Derek & Romaine, as well as other Sirius XM® programs, and with broadcast partner Spike, who will air the PSAs across their network.

There are several TNA Wrestling superstars who know all too well about the childhood trials and tribulations of being bullied because they once were on the receiving end of unwanted, unprovoked, persistent taunts from bullies.

TNA’s Mr. Anderson, for instance, was bullied as a teen growing up in Two Rivers, Wis., and Fortune member Kazarian was well aware of bullying taunts as a youngster growing up in Southern California. “The Pope” D’Angelo Dinero was bullied while growing up in Jacksonville, Fla., but turned the tables in high school – and protected those who were being bullied.

“Sadly, bullying is a national problem, and it crosses into all races, religions and every socioeconomic status,” Anderson said. He added a personal note, "Growing up, I was bullied until I was a freshman in high school because I didn't conform to a group or play sports. I was open that I liked video gaming and comic books and got picked on for that. I eventually took Tae Kwon Do and Eskrima lessons because the bullying was relentless and I thought it would come to a fight. But when the bullies heard I was taking martial arts classes, they backed off.”

“Everyone at TNA stands firmly behind this new anti-bullying campaign. The bullying must stop, and we want to take a stand,” said TNA Chief Marketing Officer, Al Ovadia, himself a father of two. “There’s no place in our schools for bullying, be it based on a student’s looks, race, sexual orientation or anything else.”

TNA launched its “Eliminate The Hate” campaign this week in conjunction with Jeff Hardy’s appearance on The Talk (CBS-TV) when Hardy appeared in support of a bullied teen. Hardy, the reigning TNA World Heavyweight Champion, personally invited Tyler Wilson, 11, to Orlando, Fla., for a taping of “TNA iMPACT!” on Spike TV (Thursday, 9 p.m. ET), including a backstage meet-and-greet with other TNA Superstars.

“I’m happy to support Tyler and anyone who has been bullied, and I know I can say that all of the other wrestlers on the TNA roster agree with me on this stance: the bullying needs to stop, now,” Hardy said. “I guarantee Tyler will have an amazing time in Orlando and know he will be the envy of his class after his trip.”

One of the largest studies ever on bullying, the Ethics of American Youth Survey by the Josephson Institute of Ethics, finds 50 percent of those surveyed said they had “bullied, teased or taunted someone at least once,” and 47 percent had been “bullied, teased or taunted in a way that seriously upset me at least once.” The study, from the non-profit based in Los Angeles, surveyed 43,321 teens ages 15 to 18, from 78 public and 22 private schools.

This is a really good move. Is it me or since Immortal/Dixie storyline started TNA has turned into more of a real company? They're on TV more, doing more teen oriented things, signing newer talent, etc.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

I was going to post it a few days ago but I haven't been on the forums as much — just been busy at work.

To me this is is just another step toward becoming a more socially interwoven company the way you see the WWE is with Make-A-Wish and various other charities/programs that allow for their wrestlers to make a positive impact in the life of children and double as positive exposure for the company.

Glad to see TNA finally taking the route they should have years ago —*this is essentially free advertising and a fantastic humanitarian effort to boot.

 

[Joe's Gonna Kill You]

I think this sends a Good Message and a necessary step to becoming a more social company and it gives them positive attention like the WWE gets with the Make-A-Wish foundation and all the other the charity promotions they are involved with. Its Great to see TNA fighting against the problem of Bullying which is a Very Big problem right now in the USA.

 

[Freakenclueless]

I personaly think that this is a good thing. Especially after seeing the affects of what bullying can do to someone, with the recent suicide of a 14 year old girl, due to bullying here. {Or so what they reported her suicide note said.} here in the city that I live in. But I really do believe this is a great thing that TNA is doing.

 

[Terminal Sledgehammer]

I think TNA is doing the exact right thing in many aspects. This is perfect as it shows TNA isn't about just getting ratings, It shows they care about their community. It also reachs out to an audience of teenagers which will help them devolpe a dedicated fanbase, something that can only help them. This fanbase is acessible based off of people like Jeff Hardy and RVD who were icons when I was in elementary school and still are occasionaly mentioned now while in college, so people that are a few years younger than me should still know who they are

 

[ABMorales787]

It's a different route for one. It's very unique and it brings more to the characters of TNA. Not to mention the advertisement it gets. It's a very smart move. They've picked a field which nobody else in the market really pays attention to.

 

[Klown_Karnage]

Personally, I'm very pleased to see this happening. Any company doing something to combat this pervasive problem that, until recently, was more or less seen as an accepted tradition in schools, is a good company in my book. I'll admit that, if the spokesmen of the company most involved in this cause are currently playing heels, they may have a bit of difficulty being taken seriously, but be that as it may.

I'm all for the eradication of bullying in schools or anywhere else for that matter. It's not only because the process itself is degrading and unpleasant, that is bad enough, but it's also a direct cause of the various school shootings and other acts of mass violence at schools. In just about every one of these situations, it turns out that the person or people in question was bullied and nothing done about it. They, in essence, decided to do something about it themselves. I'm not saying this was the only cause, but it was a major one. One day I will have children going to school and neither wish to see them bullied nor injured or killed in the crossfire of yet another young person who "isn't going to take it anymore."

Well done, TNA, well done.