“Glee” actress Jane Lynch today unveiled the National College Finance Center website (collegefinancecenter.org) at a news conference in New York City. The National College Finance Center is a free, first-stop, unbiased resource to help educate students, prospective students and families all across the country on how to evaluate their options for financing a college education.nnWhen asked about her involvement in this project Ms. Lynch explained: “I have several people in my own family, graduating nieces and nephews, both in school or just out of school, and they all have a mountain of debt. In fact, one of them is now dealing with the collection calls because they are unable to pay off their student loan. They didn’t read the fine print. I’m doing this because I don’t want other kids to be saddled with that kind of debt.” nn”As a professional working with college students for the last two decades, not to mention a former student borrower myself, it could not be clearer to me: students, parents, prospective students, graduates — anyone dealing with cost of a college education — all need a trustworthy place to receive free, clear, unbiased information about their options. If you’re going to college or even thinking about it, make collegefinancecenter.org your first stop. No one there is trying to sell you anything, the site will simply help you to seek free money first, borrow wisely and only if essential, and cope with repaying your student loans” adds Rebecca J. Weber, Executive Director, New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG). nnThe main principles of the National College Finance Center website are: nn• To provide the best resources and ideas for a higher education finance plann• To take maximum advantage of available grant and scholarship optionsn• To minimize debt accrued in acquiring a college educationn• To understand that all student loans are not created equaln• To understand important repayment strategies that will save money and stressnnThe interactive, not-for-profit website provides comprehensive, state-specific information about obtaining scholarships and grants and provides guidance on the daunting variety of student loan options available today. Additionally, those who have already accrued student loan debt will receive customized information about the most effective options to pay that debt down. nnTo help further exemplify the goals of the new National College Finance Center website, Lynch led students, parents, visitors and media through a fully realized and interactive telling of the Don’t Major in Debt campaign story with the Don’t Major in Debt Student House — inspired by the new trend in immersive theatre and to a large degree by the theatre phenomenon “Sleep No More.” In fact, the installation was produced by members of the creative and production team involved in that very show.nnThe drama of student life and college debt unfolded as visitors were led from room to room by following clues, watching videos, and witnessing and participating in true-to-life scenes. The arc of this immersive experience led participants from the clutter and confusion of paying for college to the knowledge and clarity offered by the website. Every moment of the experience was crafted to excite, entertain and educate. After a heightened theatrical experience, transitioning from confusion to clarity, disorder to order, daunting debt to a healthy financial future, students and their parents emerged equipped with an understanding of the website and its mission.nnThis launch event was the culmination of the New York Public Interest Research Group’s (NYPIRG) ongoing grassroots awareness campaign entitled Don’t Major in Debt that has, over the past several months, established a presence on Facebook, Twitter and college campuses, with users sharing their personal college finance stories. nn• www.nypirg.org/DontMajorInDebtn• www.facebook.com/DontMajorInDebtn• www.twitter.com/DontMajorInDebtnnThe new website was developed and implemented by the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC). The New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG), in collaboration with boutique media agency The Field (Social), directed a dynamic national public service announcement campaign to promote this valuable new resource.nn
nnAbout Jane LynchnJane Lynch cut her theatrical teeth at The Second City, Steppenwolf Theatre and in many church basements all over the greater Chicago-land area helping her become the comedic talent she is today. Jane can currently be seen in the Golden Globe® and SAG Award winning Ryan Murphy television series “Glee” on FOX as the one-liner powerhouse coach Sue Sylvester. With her magnificent comedic timing, Jane has earned herself an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress, a Golden Globe® Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, and a SAG award nomination for her role as Sue Sylvester on “Glee.” With her wit and luminous stage presence, Jane served as the host for the “63rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards.” Some of her other recent television credits include the STARZ series “Party Down,” “Lovespring,” a Lifetime original series, “Desperate Housewives” and “Weeds” as well as the last season of “The L Word” opposite Cybill Shepherd. She has recurring roles on “Two and a Half Men,” where she was nominated for an Emmy® for Outstanding Guest Actress, Criminal Minds and The New Adventures of Old Christine. Jane recently added author to her repertoire. Her memoir, Happy Accidents, was released in September 2011 and includes a foreword written by the legendary Carol Burnett. Jane Lynch, with her comedic timing, fantastic look, and remarkable wit makes her an actress to watch.nnAbout NYPIRGnNYPIRG is New York State’s largest student-directed research and advocacy organization, a nonpartisan, not-for-profit group established to empower, train and educate students and community members through organizing and advocacy efforts in order to solve significant problems affecting residents in New York State and across the country. As a vigilant government watchdog, NYPIRG’s principal areas of concern include, among others, consumer rights, accessible, affordable and quality higher education, and voter registration with a particular emphasis on typically under-represented communities. NYPIRG’s 20 college campus chapters provide much of our energy, resources and activism. Students at NYPIRG chapters work on projects based upon NYPIRG’s community-based, statewide and national agendas.nnAbout HESCnHESC is New York State’s student financial aid agency that helps people pay for college and a national leader in providing need-based grant and scholarship award money to college-going students. At HESC’s core are programs like the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), numerous state scholarships, federal college access grants and a highly successful College Savings program. HESC puts college within the reach of hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers each year through programs like these and through the guidance it provides to students, families and counselors. In 2010-11, HESC helped more than 413,000 students achieve their college dreams by providing $991 million in grants, scholarships and federal student loan guarantees, including $855 million awarded through the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP).nnAbout The Field (Social)nA multi-disciplinary, boutique advertising agency, The Field (Social) knows it’s all about the story. It’s always been about the story, and in today’s complex network of digital, broadcast and social media landscapes, The Field (Social) is able to tell strategic and engaging stories for longer, in more detail, to more people and using several voices at once. Founded by Michael Porte, this team of creatives, producers, animators and editors together with talented online, social media, interactive, experimental and PR specialists offers creative solutions to our clients’ marketing challenges through exhaustive planning and by executing smart, cross-platform strategies.Jeanine Pepler AKA PR Contact Jeanine via email 917-797-0676
Union’s Tim Thornton-Allan Edits Santa’s ‘Naughty List’ for Toyota
We may not get a second chance to make a first impression, but when the opportunity presents itself to right our wrongs in time for Christmas, we should seize the moment. In a new holiday spot for Toyota, a little boy realizes he is probably on Santa’s “Naughty List” and resolves to do something about it. The spot was created via Conill Advertising, produced by MJZ, directed by Fredrik Bond, and edited by Tim Thornton-Allan of Union Editorial/Los Angeles and Marshall Street Editors/London. Watching a program on his iPad in the back seat of his dad’s Toyota Tundra, our young protagonist receives a warning: “If you’ve been naughty, Santa won’t bring you any presents.” The lad wastes no time: “Papa! Turn back!” he commands. Father and son proceed to make the rounds, stopping at school, the neighbors, and elsewhere around the neighborhood, to set things right and deliver apologies. The boy even goes so far as to make amends with his little sister - returning the head of a favorite doll. The child’s restitution has the desired effect, and on Christmas morning, he receives exactly the gift he’d asked for. Judging by what he does next, he may have his work cut out for him next year, but we can all just take things one “Naughty List” at a time. Read More