Cartoon Network and U.S. Senator Bob Casey Launch National Bullying Prevention Flag Raising Campaign

PHILADELPHIA --(Business Wire)--

Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) joined Cartoon Network President and COO Stuart Snyder to launch the next initiative in the Stop Bullying: Speak Up campaign today. As Senator Casey prepares to re-introduce the Safe Schools Improvement Act, he partnered with Cartoon Network to announce a national flag raising campaign to combat bullying.

Schools, community centers and businesses can now raise Stop Bullying: Speak Up flags to show their commitment to empowering kids to speak up against bullying. In an auditorium packed with Warren G. Harding middle school students, teachers and education dignitaries, Cartoon Network expanded its campaign that already includes an ever-growing online social pledge app in partnership with Facebook (News - Alert) and Time Warner, Inc., a nationally broadcast, award-winning television documentary that was introduced by President Barack Obama, a number of original TV PSAs currently appearing on Cartoon Network, two CNN specials hosted by Anderson Cooper exploring bullying issues and its impact on young people, and an online portfolio of educational resources available at no charge at www.StopBullyingSpeakUp.com.

The new flags represent the power active bystanders have to stop bullying, as well as a visible demonstration by adults to take action when they learn bullying is happening. To jumpstart this effort, Cartoon Network is partnering with LG Electronics (News - Alert) USA to deliver more than 2,000 bullying prevention toolkits and flags to schools across the nation through the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).

In addition, anyone can download images of the flags, use a provided template to create their own flag and/or take the pledge at www.facebook.com/stopbullyingspeakup ad www.StopBullyingSpeakUp.com. The AFT also will encourage its members to showcase how they've raised their Stop Bullying: Speak Up flags by posting images and testimonials on Facebook, where they also may sign the social pledge and invite friends and colleagues to do the same. The public is invited to share how they are speaking up about bullying issues on the Stop Bullying: Speak Up Facebook site as well.

"Bullying and harassment affect millions of students every year," said Senator Casey. "I am re-introducing the Safe Schools Improvement Act to help ensure that every child receives a quality education that builds self-confidence. This bill is a crucial step towards ensuring that no child is afraid to go to school for fear of bullying. I appreciate Cartoon Network's efforts to shine light on this important issue."

"We're very proud this year to join forces with Senator Casey in the national effort to help bring an end to bullying," said Snyder. "We've visited other schools and cities to build awareness and enlist support for the Stop Bullying: Speak Up mission, and have been greatly encouraged by the overwhelming response students, teachers and parents have shown once they realize there are proven tactics and methods that can help bring a quick end to bullying situations. We hope wherever the Stop Bullying: Speak Up flag might appear, young people will understand that this is a safe place where bullying behaviors will not be tolerated."

Connor Del Rio and Aimee Carrero, young stars of Cartoon Network's Level Up also made a special live appearance to rouse more than 400 middle school students in the audience, encouraging all kids to take the pledge and raise the flag to stop bullying. They presented two new PSAs that have started airing on Cartoon Network, featuring the two actors and other cast members from Level Up encouraging viewers to speak up against bullying in schools and communities.

Stop Bullying: Speak Up was launched in 2010 as a direct response to the concerns of Cartoon Network's audience. Young people said that bullying was among the biggest problems they faced, but one where they believed they could make a difference. Cartoon Network mobilized and recruited experts in bullying prevention from academia, government, and community-based organizations to create the Stop Bullying: Speak Up campaign.

Today's Philadelphia rally is the latest in a continuing series that included youth-focused events with the Maryland Governor, HHS Secretary and Mayor of Atlanta.

About Cartoon Network

Cartoon Network (CartoonNetwork.com) is the #1 U.S. television network among boys 6-11. Currently seen in 99 million U.S. homes and 194 countries around the world, Cartoon Network is Turner Broadcasting (News - Alert) System, Inc.'s ad-supported cable service now available in HD offering the best in original, acquired and classic entertainment for kids and families. In addition to Emmy-winning original programming and industry-leading digital apps and online games, Cartoon Network embraces key social issues affecting families with solution-oriented initiatives such as Stop Bullying: Speak Up and the Move It Movement. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner (News - Alert) company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

About Stop Bullying: Speak Up

Cartoon Network's Stop Bullying: Speak Up is an award-winning, multi-platform pro-social campaign, created with experts in the field to raise awareness, build partnerships and empower young people to speak up against bullying safely and effectively. Campaign resources include video, print and online content-including an award-winning documentary introduced by President Barack Obama-available at StopBullyingSpeakUp.com, available at no charge to schools, community groups and parents to motivate bullying prevention activities or discussions.