Client Taco Bell Agency Deutsch LA Pete Favat, chief creative officer; Brett Craig, executive creative director; Jason Karley, Josh DiMarcantonio, creative directors; Gordy Sang, Brian Sieband, associate creative directors; Jeremiah Wassom, sr. art director; Trey Tyler, sr. copywriter; Vic Palumbo, director of integrated production; Paul Roy, executive producer; Jeff Perino, sr. producer; Damon Vinyard, associate producer; Dave Rocco, music supervisor. Production Moxie Pictures Frank Todaro, director; Jon Zilles, DP; Robert Fernandez, exec producer; Matt Oshea, line producer. Production (Food/tabletop) Wood Shop, Culver City, Calif. Trevor Shepard, director; Sam Swisher, exec producer. Editorial Rock Paper Scissors Adam Pertofsky, editor; Marjorie Sacks, assistant editor. C.L. Weaver, exec producer; Shada Shariatzadeh, producer. Post a52, Santa Monica. Paul Yacono, colorist; Andy Barrios, VFX supervisor; Brendan Crockett, lead Flame artist; Megan Meloth, exec producer; Meredith Cherniack, producer. Music Massive Music, Culver City Audio Lime Studios, Santa Monica Mark Meyuhas, Rohan Young, mixers; Jessica Locke, producer.
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
