The National Football League’s “The Start” shows Dante Culpepper taking it all in as he stands at midfield in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. “So this is where it all started,” Culpepper says as he breathes the air and feels the grass of the historical venue, site of Super Bowl I and II, games to which we flash back. Then back in the present, the words “follow the road” appear on screen followed by “The road to Super Bowl Forty.”
Production Company: @radical.media Director, Tarsem; Executive Producer, Frank Scherma, Tommy Turtle; Director of Marketing, Chris Kim Editorial: Spot Welders Inc. Editor (LA), Robert Duffy; Editor (NY), Dick Gordon; Executive Producer, “Heather Kojima Visual Effects: Method Producer, Rachael Koch
White Ribbon has launched its “My Friend, Max Hate” campaign in Canada featuring this public service film that follows the journey of a young, isolated boy who becomes influenced by a misogynistic online puppet, “Max Hate.” The PSA reveals how online figures in the manosphere--a network of online communities promoting hateful, misogynistic rhetoric which fuels attitudes among young men and boys that contribute to gender-based violence.
“It’s alarming to see the growing impact of the manosphere and how they are conditioning vulnerable populations such as teens, particularly young men,” said Humberto Carolo, White Ribbon CEO. “These misogynistic online groups have existed for years, but their influence has grown under controversial figures, driving an increase in gender-based violence. With the My Friend, Max Hate campaign, our goal is to expose the damaging influence of misogynistic figures and raise awareness, particularly among young men who are often drawn into these toxic online communities.”
Launching two weeks before Safer Internet Day (February 11), the campaign--from Toronto agency Bensimon Byrne--underscores the importance of online safety and protecting youth through clear content boundaries.
White Ribbon is creating an online resource hub that educates individuals on how to recognize harmful online groups and provides support for young men and boys seeking to escape. Additionally, the campaign will launch a TikTok account, @max_hate_, featuring the PSA ‘My Friend, Max Hate’ puppet to expose how these figures gain influence and spread hate in a space that reaches those most influenced, young men.
The PSA was directed by Angie Bird via Toronto-based Westside Studio.
Now in its 34th year, White Ribbon... Read More
