This short highlights Virtual Senior Centers, one of the initiatives in the Connections Project from telecom company Cox Communications.
The two-minute film from agency 180LA and directed by Josh Nussbaum of production house m ss ng p eces introduces us to active senior citizens at the Oasis Senior Center in San Diego who are reunited virtually with their communities and friends after senior centers across the country were forced to close their doors due to the pandemic. We see the elderly folksโ joy as they virtually connect for the first time to take group art, exercise, philosophy class and other activities.
Credits
Client Cox Communications Agency 180LA, Playa Vista, Calif. Al Moseley, chief creative officer; Mike Bokman, executive creative director; Jason Rappaport, group creative director; Brian Farkas, Tylynne Mccauley, creative directors; Emma Zakes Green, copywriter; Elizabeth Lay, sr. art director; Bryan Sweeney, head of production; Mauricio Barreda, strategist. Production m ss ng p eces Josh Nussbaum, director; Kate Oppenheim, Brian Latt, Ari Kuschnir, Dave Saltzman, Edward Grann, exec producers. Editorial Cabin Editing Company Scott Butzer, editor. Audio Post Lime Studios Rohan Young, mixer. Color Grade & Online MPC Ricky Gausis
White Ribbon has launched its โMy Friend, Max Hateโ 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, โMax Hate.โ 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.
โItโs alarming to see the growing impact of the manosphere and how they are conditioning vulnerable populations such as teens, particularly young men,โ said Humberto Carolo, White Ribbon CEO. โThese 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.โ
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 โMy Friend, Max Hateโ 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.