Canon U.S.A., Inc., is showcasing YouTube video creator and anti-bullying advocate Anna Akana as its latest Canon Rebel With A Cause, an ongoing campaign conceived by a creative team at Grey New York. Since first sharing her personal story on YouTube after her sister’s suicide as a result of bullying, Akana has used comedy as her own form of therapy. Her ability to put a unique spin on typically uncomfortable topics led Canon to select her as a Rebel With A Cause, in honor of the 25th anniversary of the first EOS Rebel SLR camera. Her cause focuses on deploying comedy to build confidence in youth who have been bullied, and this video of her cause was shot entirely on Canon EOS Rebel T6i DSLR cameras.
Along with The Groundlings comedy troupe, she worked with bullied teenagers ranging in ages from 13 to 17 to teach them how to use the power of humor to face their fears and confidently use their personal experiences as the basis for their own comedic material. Anthony DeCarolis of Grey’s Townhouse directed the video which is titled “Rebel With A Cause–Anna Akana.”
Credits
Client Canon Agency Grey NY Andreas Dahlqvist, chief creative officer; Darren Moran, head of innovation; Anthony DeCarolis, group creative director; Natalie Rose, Pieter Melief, associate creative directors/copywriters; Rodrigo Burdman, Andrew Barrett, associate creative directors/art directors; Jimmy Fowlie, Ariane Price, The Groundlings writers; Steve House, strategy director; Sarika Patel, strategist; Elizabeth Valleau, lead creative director, Activation and PR. Executive Production Townhouse Bennett McCarroll, Townhouse president; James McPherson, director of integrated production; Lauren Tuttman, producer; Jacob Herman, assistant producer; Zachary Pollakoff, music producer. Production Company Townhouse Studios, NY Anthony DeCarolis, director; David Vollrath, DP; Jesus Sepulveda, editor; Dante Desole, music sound design.
Stain remover Vanish presents this emotional short film--created by BETC Havas, Sao Paulo, and produced by LOBO--that explores the profound consequences of bullying and highlights the importance of open conversations between parents and children. Titled The Bully Monster, the animated film premiered at the Maquinaria Festival in Rio de Janeiro on February 15 in a special edition featuring family-focused programming.
The film’s protagonist is a boy who experiences bullying at school but keeps silent about his suffering. Isolation turns sadness into insecurity, creating invisible emotional scars that only grow in the absence of dialogue. When his mother notices stains on his uniform, these marks become the starting point for a revealing conversation. As words find space to make themselves heard, the stains begin to fade.
This initiative aligns with the Vanish Saves Your Uniform campaign, which, for the past three years during the back-to-school season, has engaged with parents by positioning the brand as a trusted partner in preserving school uniforms. This year, Vanish decided to broaden the conversation, bringing bullying into the debate as the real stain that can impact a child’s life.
The Bully Monster is being screened as preshow material in movie theaters starting February 20 and will also be available on streaming platforms and digital channels. In addition to the film, the campaign will include out-of-home activations and school initiatives through a partnership with Abrace – Preventive Programs, the founding organization of the “Bullying-Free Schools” program, which has been equipping institutions with resources to combat school violence for 12 years.
“Research indicates that stains on a uniform can... Read More
