Let’s Have A Parade™: The World-Renowned Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® Kicks Off The Holiday Season

The 92nd edition of the iconic holiday event ushers in the season with its signature giant character balloons floats of fantasy, the nation’s finest marching bands, whimsical performance groups, music’s biggest stars, and the one-and-only Santa Claus

Performers include Bad Bunny, Barenaked Ladies, Bazzi, Ally Brooke, Kane Brown, Brynn Cartelli, Jack & Jack, John Legend, Leona Lewis, Ella Mai, Tegan Marie, Martina McBride, Rita Ora, Carly Pearce, Pentatonix, Anika Noni Rose and the cast & Muppets of Sesame Street, Diana Ross, Sugarland, Ashley Tisdale, Mackenzie Ziegler and Johnny Orlando

A spectacle like no other awaits millions as the 92nd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® kicks off the holiday season. Set to march through the streets of New York City on Thursday, November 22 at 9:00 a.m., the nation will celebrate Thanksgiving gathered with family and friends and more than 8,000 volunteers. Dressed as clowns, guiding the flight of larger-than-life character balloons, bringing the beat in the nation’s best marching bands and entertaining the crowds with their show-stopping performances, these participants will inspire and delight the nation. With the time-honored phrase, Let’s Have a Parade™, the spectacle begins for more than 3.5 million spectators in New York City and more than 50 million television viewers nationwide.

The world-renowned Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® officially kicks off the season with the 92nd edition of the holiday tradition on Thursday, Nov. 22 at 9 a.m. ET. (Graphic: Business Wire)

“This year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will redefine spectacle with a jaw-dropping mix of must-see entertainment for millions of spectators,” said Susan Tercero, executive producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “Featuring an amazing line-up of high flying balloons, dazzling animated floats, world-class marching bands and performance groups, the nation’s top music artists, and of course, the one-and-only Santa Claus, the Macy’s Parade will once again herald the arrival of the holiday season.”

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is the nation’s biggest and most anticipated holiday celebration. Broadcast nationally on NBC, with millions of families nationwide tuning in to watch the excitement unfold, the TODAY Show’s Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker will host the three-hour broadcast from 9 a.m. – noon (in all time zones).

The 92nd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will begin at 9 a.m. from 77th Street and Central Park West. The procession will march to Columbus Circle, turn onto Central Park South and march down 6th Avenue/Avenue of the Americas. At 34th Street, the Parade will make its final turn west and end at 7th Avenue in front of Macy’s Herald Square.

On 34th Street, Broadway’s best shows will take a star turn in front of Macy’s famed flagship with special performances. In addition, the show-stopping Radio City Rockettes® will bring their signature high-kicking magic to Herald Square.

Since November of 1924, the Macy’s Parade has enthralled the nation and become synonymous with the start of the holiday season. For the 92nd edition, the line-up will feature 16 giant character balloons; 43 novelty balloons, heritage balloons, balloonicles, balloonheads and trycaloons; 26 floats; 1,200 cheerleaders and dancers; more than 1,000 clowns; and 12 marching bands.

STARS ON PARADE

The star power along the Parade route and in homes across the country will feature some of the nation’s most exciting performers. Appearing onboard one of Macy’s signature floating stages will be Bad Bunny, Barenaked Ladies, Bazzi, Ally Brooke, Kane Brown, Brynn Cartelli, Jack & Jack, John Legend, Leona Lewis, Ella Mai, Tegan Marie, Martina McBride, Rita Ora, Carly Pearce, Pentatonix, Anika Noni Rose and the cast & Muppets of Sesame Street, Diana Ross with her children and extended family (including Rhonda Ross, Tracee Ellis Ross, Chudney Ross, Ross Naess and Evan Ross with wife Ashlee Simpson-Ross), Sugarland, Ashley Tisdale, Mackenzie Ziegler and Johnny Orlando; with a special appearance by the one-and-only Santa Claus.

Lin-Manuel Miranda, Auli’i Cravalho, Sting, Justin Timberlake And John Legend To Perform This Year’s Nominated Songs At The Oscars®

Oscar® nominees Lin-Manuel Miranda, Sting, Justin Timberlake and 2014 Oscar winner John Legend will perform at the 89th Oscars® ceremony, show producers Michael De Luca and Jennifer Todd announced. Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, the Oscars will air live on Sunday, February 26, on the ABC Television Network.

Auli’i Cravalho will join Miranda to perform his Oscar-nominated song, “How Far I’ll Go,” written for “Moana.” An actor, playwright and composer, Miranda is best known for creating and starring in the Broadway musicals “Hamilton” and “In the Heights.” For his work, he has been recognized with a Primetime Emmy Award®, three Tony Awards®, two Grammy Awards® and the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama (“Hamilton“). This marks Miranda’s debut on the Oscars stage. Sixteen-year-old Cravalho made her film debut voicing the title character in “Moana.”

Seventeen-time Grammy winner Sting will perform “The Empty Chair” from “Jim: The James Foley Story,” the Oscar nominated song he co-wrote with three-time Oscar nominee J. Ralph. In addition to this current nomination, Sting has been nominated in this category on three previous occasions; “You Will Be My Ain True Love” from “Cold Mountain” (2003), “Until” from “Kate & Leopold” (2001) and “My Funny Friend And Me” from “The Emperor’s New Groove” (2000), which he shared with David Hartley. A 2014 Kennedy Center Honoree, Sting has sold over 100 million records.

Timberlake will perform his Oscar-nominated (and Grammy-winning) song “Can’t Stop The Feeling” from the movie “Trolls.” He shares music and lyric credits with Max Martin and Karl Johan Schuster. Timberlake is a multi-platinum recording artist and actor whose numerous awards include nine Grammy Awards and four Primetime Emmy Awards. His acting credits include the Oscar-winning film “The Social Network” (2010) and Oscar-nominated “Inside Llewyn Davis” (2013).

Legend will perform both “Audition (The Fools Who Dream)” and “City of Stars,” from “La La Land,” music by Justin Hurwitz; lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. A singer-songwriter, musician and actor, Legend won an Oscar for the original song “Glory” from “Selma” (2014), an honor he shared with artist Common. Legend’s many accolades also include 10 Grammy Awards and 28 nominations.

Musicl Salute Of The Bee Gees” Set to Take Place Feb. 14 at Microsoft Theater

Andra Day, Celine Dion, DNCE, Nick Jonas, Tori Kelly, John Legend, Little Big Town, Demi Lovato, Pentatonix, And Keith Urban Will Pay Tribute To The Five-Time GRAMMY®-Winning Group

Bee Gees Legendary Co-Founder Barry Gibb Also To Take The Stage

Just two days after the 59th Annual GRAMMY Awards®, The Recording Academy®, AEG Ehrlich Ventures, and CBS will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the landmark soundtrack to the film Saturday Night Fever by presenting “Stayin’ Alive: A GRAMMY® Salute To The Music Of The Bee Gees.”

“Stayin’ Alive: A GRAMMY Salute To The Music Of The Bee Gees” continues the tradition of previous Emmy®-winning TV specials: “Stevie Wonder: Songs In The Key Of Life—An All-Star GRAMMY Salute,” “The Beatles: The Night That Changed America—A GRAMMY Salute,” and “Sinatra 100—An All-Star GRAMMY Concert.”

Previous GRAMMY® nominee Andra Day, five-time GRAMMY winner Celine Dion, multi-platinum pop-funk band DNCE, previous GRAMMY nominee Nick Jonas, previous GRAMMY nominee Tori Kelly, 10-time GRAMMY winner John Legend, current GRAMMY nominee Demi Lovato, two-time GRAMMY winners Little Big Town, two-time GRAMMY winners and current nominees Pentatonix, and four-time GRAMMY winner Keith Urban, will pay tribute to five-time GRAMMY winners and Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award recipients the Bee Gees.

Seven-time GRAMMY winner and Bee Gees co-founder Barry Gibb, who released a solo album late last year, will also be on hand to perform a selection of hits from Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack, which won Album Of The Year at the 21st Annual GRAMMY Awards and was inducted into the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame® in 2004. Additional performers will be announced soon. The live concert taping will be held Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017, at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. To purchase tickets, starting at $25, visit www.axs.com or contact ticketing@grammy.com. VIP packages and group sales are also available at 877.234.8425 or tickets@aegworldwide.com. The special will broadcast on the CBS Television Network later this year.

Initial Lineup Announced for 2017 Essence Festival in New Orleans

Weekend Ticket Packages on Sale Now

Time Inc.’s Essence announced the initial lineup for the 2017 Essence Festival Concert Series in New Orleans featuring headliners Diana Ross and Mary J. Blige, among many others. The 23^rd annual event will take place June 30-July 2, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The initial performance lineup is outlined below. Additional acts will be announced in the coming weeks.

Artists confirmed to perform at the nightly Essence Festival concerts over Fourth of July Weekend at the Louisiana Superdome include: Diana Ross, Mary J Blige, Chaka Khan, Doug E Fresh, Erykah Badu, India.Arie, Jazmine Sullivan, John Legend, June’s Diary, Lalah Hathaway, Lizzo, Master P, Michel’le, Moses Sumney, Ro James, Shaggy, Sir the Baptist, Solange, Teyana Taylor, The Jones Girls Feat. Shirley Jones, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Tweet, Yuna, and many more to be announced soon.

“This year’s Festival lineup puts women at the forefront of an incredible weekend of entertainment featuring more than 40 of the world’s most gifted artists and performers,” said Essence President Michelle Ebanks. “It is an honor to welcome the inimitable Diana Ross to the Festival for the first time. Plus, Festival veteran Mary J. Blige is back to share ‘Strength of a Woman’ with her most passionate fans.”

The A-list nighttime concerts will feature more than 40 acts and will take place across five stages — including the Festival’s renowned Mainstage and four intimate Superlounges. Mary J. Blige will headline a special night, themed My Path to Strength, introducing her highly anticipated album “Strength of a Woman.”

Weekend ticket packages went on sale Friday, December 16 at 10am CT with prices starting at $126. For information about ticket sales, accommodations and the latest news about the Essence Festival visit Essence Festival. Join the Festival community: follow us on Twitter @essencefest #EssenceFest and become a fan of 2017 Essence Festival on Facebook.

The 2017 Essence Festival is presented by Coca-Cola.

SCAD Announces Line-Up For 2016 Savannah Film Festival

“Jackie” to Open Fest; “La La Land” and “Arrival” set as Spotlight and Centerpiece Gala Screenings

Additional Gala Screenings and Docs to Watch Announced

The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) has announce its line-up of films for the 2016 Savannah Film Festival, including Gala Screenings, Signature Series, Docs to Watch and a new Global Shorts Forum. The festival will launch on Saturday, Oct. 22 with “Jackie” and will feature the Spotlight Gala Screening of “La La Land” and Centerpiece Gala Screening of “Arrival.”

Savannah Film Festival (PRNewsFoto/SCAD)

Hosted by SCAD, the annual event has celebrated cinematic creativity from award-winning professionals and emerging filmmakers for 19 years. The festival will be held in downtown Savannah, Georgia, and runs from Saturday, Oct. 22 to Saturday, Oct. 29.

The 19^th annual festival gathers a diverse group of industry professionals from all fields of the business to participate in panels and Q&A discussions on several topics about the film, television and digital media business. More importantly, the Festival, and the competition, provides students with opportunities as unique as the movies on the screen. It’s a chance for SCAD students to exclusively connect with leaders from the entertainment industry through master classes, coffee talks, lectures and panel discussions and a chance for Savannah, a premier film hub, to promote quality movies produced by independent and studio filmmakers.

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

Opening Gala Screening: “Jackie” – A searing and intimate portrait of one of the most important and tragic moments in American history, seen through the eyes of the iconic First Lady, then Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy (Natalie Portman). “Jackie” places us in her world during the days immediately following her husband’s assassination. Known for her extraordinary dignity and poise, here we see a psychological portrait of the First Lady as she struggles to maintain her husband’s legacy and the world of “Camelot” that they created and loved so well. Director: Pablo Larrain. Cast: Natalie Portman, Peter Sarsgaard, Greta Gerwig, Billy Crudup and John Hurt.

Spotlight Gala Screening: “La La Land” – Written and directed by Academy Award® nominee Damien Chazelle, “La La Land” tells the story of Mia (Emma Stone), an aspiring actress, and Sebastian (Ryan Gosling), a dedicated jazz musician, who are struggling to make ends meet in a city known for crushing hopes and breaking hearts. Set in modern day Los Angeles, this original musical about everyday life explores the joy and pain of pursuing your dreams. Director: Damien Chazelle. Cast: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone and John Legend.

Centerpiece Gala Screening: “Arrival” – When mysterious spacecraft touch down across the globe, an elite team — led by expert linguist Louise Banks (Amy Adams) — is brought together to investigate. As mankind teeters on the verge of global war, Banks and the team race against time for answers — and to find them, she will take a chance that could threaten her life, and quite possibly humanity. Director: Denis Villeneuve. Cast: Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker, Michael Stuhlbarg and Mark O’Brien.

GALA SCREENINGS: The annual Gala Screenings spotlight upcoming studio films before their wide releases, including this year’s entries:

Oscar News: Nine More Days To The Big Event

Oscar® Winners Morgan Freeman And John Legend Added As Presenters Along With J.J. Abrams, Sacha Baron Cohen And Henry Cavill

Dave Grohl Will Give A Special Performance

Oscar® winners Morgan Freeman and John Legend have been added to the list of presenters along with J.J. Abrams, Sacha Baron Cohen and Henry Cavill for the 88th Oscars® telecast. Oscar producers David Hill and Reginald Hudlin also announced a special performance by Dave Grohl for the event, hosted by Chris Rock, airing live Oscar Sunday, February 28, on ABC.

The most recent list of presenters marks the return of Baron Cohen, Freeman and Legend. Abrams, Cavill and Grohl take to the Oscar stage for the first time.

Previously announced presenters and performers include Patricia Arquette, Abraham Attah, Cate Blanchett, Emily Blunt, Louis C.K., Steve Carell, Priyanka Chopra, Common, Russell Crowe, Benicio del Toro, Chris Evans, Tina Fey, Ryan Gosling, Louis Gossett, Jr., Kevin Hart, Quincy Jones, Michael B. Jordan, Lady Gaga, Byung-hun Lee, Jennifer Garner, Whoopi Goldberg, Jared Leto, Rachel McAdams, Julianne Moore, Olivia Munn, Dev Patel, Eddie Redmayne, Daisy Ridley, Margot Robbie, Jason Segel, Andy Serkis, Sarah Silverman, J.K. Simmons, Sam Smith, Charlize Theron, Jacob Tremblay, Sofia Vergara, Kerry Washington, The Weeknd, Pharrell Williams and Reese Witherspoon.

Hosts Announced For “THE Oscars® Backstage” On Oscar.Com

A Live Feed of the Director’s Cut to be distributed via ABC News, AOL, Yahoo and Comcast Xfinity

This year’s “The Oscars® Backstage” on Oscar.com, which is the ultimate second screen experience for fans watching the show, will be hosted by a multi-talented group of TV personalities, including actor/writer/producer Orlando Jones, actress and TV personality Diane Mizota, actor Matt Shively, film critic and entertainment reporter Ben Lyons, and entertainment and sports reporter Chris Connelly. The director’s cut from the best of the live backstage cameras will also be available on ABCNews.com, AOL, Comcast Xfinity and Yahoo.

Presented again this year by Samsung, “The Oscars® Backstage” allows fans to choose from four channels that will pull from more than 20 live cameras strategically placed on the red carpet and backstage at the Dolby Theatre®, providing fans with insider views into the most memorable moments of the night. Pre-show channels include: Director’s Cut, Arrivals, Fashion and Red Carpet. During the show, the channels are Director’s Cut (including the popular Thank You cam), Audience, Backstage and Press Rooms.

Jones (“Sleepy Hollow,” “The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea,” “MadTV”) and Access Hollywood Live’s #MyStyleFinds Mizota will host “The Director’s Cut” feeds during both the pre-show and awards telecast. Shively (ABC’s “The Real O’Neal’s”) will report from the fan bleachers on the red carpet with The Players’ Tribune Chief Correspondent Ben Lyons reporting from behind-the-scenes. “Good Morning America” and ESPN contributing editor Chris Connelly is returning as the official greeter of The Oscars red carpet, which includes welcoming nominees, presenters and performers to the show.

OSCAR 2015 NEWS: NEW PRESENTERS ADDED

JASON BATEMAN, IDRIS ELBA, ANSEL ELGORT, NICOLE KIDMAN, LIAM NEESON, GWYNETH PALTROW AND CHANNING TATUM TO PRESENT AT 87TH OSCARS®

Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, Ansel Elgort, Nicole Kidman, Liam Neeson, Gwyneth Paltrow and Channing Tatum has been added to the list of presenters for this year’s Oscars to be hosted by Neil Patrick Harris and airing on Sunday, February 22, live on ABC.

Bateman appeared in the Best Picture Oscar®- nominated films “Up in the Air” (2009) and “Juno” (2007). Most recently Bateman starred in the “Horrible Bosses” (2011 and 2014) franchise, “This Is Where I Leave You” (2014), and “Bad Words” (2013), Bateman’s directorial debut.  He is currently working on “Untitled Joel Edgerton Project” and recently wrapped production of “The Family Fang,” his second directorial effort in which he also stars.

Elba most recently starred in the 2014 thriller “No Good Deed.” His other film roles include “28 Weeks Later” (2007), “Thor” (2011), “Pacific Rim” (2013) and “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” (2013). He has been nominated for four Emmy Awards®, including three for Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie for “Luther” (2010). Elba will next be seen in “Beasts of No Nation.”

Elgort made his film debut in 2013’s “Carrie” and followed up with three more films in 2014: “The Fault in Our Stars,” “Divergent” and “Men, Women & Children.” He will next be seen in the sequel “The Divergent Series: Insurgent.”

Kidman won an Oscar for Actress in a Leading Role for “The Hours” (2002) and was nominated for her leading roles in “Moulin Rouge” (2001) and “Rabbit Hole” (2010). Her other credits include “Dead Calm” (1989), “Far and Away” (1992), “Eyes Wide Shut” (1999), “Cold Mountain” (2003) and “The Golden Compass” (2007). Her upcoming films include “Lion” and “The Secret in Their Eyes.”

Neeson received an Oscar nomination for Actor in a Leading Role for his performance as the title character in “Schindler’s List” (1993). Other film roles include “The Dead Pool” (1988), “Husbands and Wives” (1992), “Michael Collins” (1996), “Love Actually” (2003), “Taken” (2008), “The Grey” (2011) and “Non-Stop” (2014). He will next be seen in “Ted 2” and “Run All Night.”

Paltrow is an Oscar winner for her leading role in “Shakespeare in Love” (1998).  She has starred in such films as “Great Expectations” (1998), “The Talented Mr. Ripley” (1999), and “The Royal Tenenbaums” (2001) and most recently the “Iron Man” franchise (2008, 2010 and 2013).

Tatum, who currently stars in the sci-fi feature “Jupiter Ascending,” appeared in last year’s “22 Jump Street” (2014), “Foxcatcher” (2014) and “The Lego Movie” (2014).  His previous credits include “White House Down” (2013), “Magic Mike” (2012) and “21 Jump Street” (2012).  He will star in “Magic Mike XXL” later this year.

Previously announced presenters and performers include:

Presenters:

Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Cate Blanchett, Jessica Chastain, Marion Cotillard, Benedict Cumberbatch, Viola Davis, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Chris Evans, Kevin Hart, Josh Hutcherson, Scarlett Johansson, Dakota Johnson, Jennifer Lopez, Jared Leto, Shirley MacLaine, Matthew McConaughey, Sienna Miller, Chloë Grace Moretz, Eddie Murphy, Lupita Nyong’o, David Oyelowo, Chris Pine, Chris Pratt, Margot Robbie, Zoe Saldana, Octavia Spencer, Meryl Streep, Miles Teller, John Travolta, Kerry Washington, Naomi Watts, Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon.

Performers:

Jack Black, Common, Jennifer Hudson, Lady Gaga, Anna Kendrick, John Legend, Adam Levine with Maroon 5, Tim McGraw, Rita Ora and Tegan and Sara with The Lonely Island.

The 87th Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 22, 2015, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live on the ABC Television Network at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.

 

CHIME FOR CHANGE SET TO REACH MILLIONS MORE WORLDWIDE AS IT HARNESSES THE POWER OF TECHNOLOGY AND PARTNERSHIPS IN SUPPORT OF GIRLS’ AND WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT

CHIME FOR CHANGE launches app featuring the voice of co-founder Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, available free at the App Store

New collaboration with Kellogg’s Special K Europe set to reach 25 million households and inspire 250,000 voices to join the movement

CHIME FOR CHANGE calls on the global community to lend their voices and #CHIMEIN in support of the girls and women who inspire them

CHIME FOR CHANGE, the global campaign for girls’ and women’s empowerment founded by Gucci, has launched important new strategic initiatives to further raise funds and awareness for issues affecting girls and women worldwide.

Since its launch at the TED 2013 conference in February 2013, CHIME FOR CHANGE has focused on the power of technology to create change, including through its strategic partnership with crowd-funding platform, Catapult, which serves as the campaign’s donation platform. Other strategic partnerships and an emphasis on social media activation have helped spread the message of girls’ and women’s empowerment to a global audience. To date, the campaign has raised more than $4.75 million, helping to fund more than 280 projects in 81 countries across 87 non-profit campaigns.

Building on this technology focus, today, CHIME FOR CHANGE celebrates the launch of its new app, which will help the campaign continue to unite, convene and strengthen the voices calling for change for girls and women. The app will enable supporters to lend their voices by issuing #CHIMEIN messages, and to further create change by funding projects supporting girls and women through Education, Health, and Justice. Available in four languages (English, Italian, French and Spanish) and free from the App Store, the app was inspired by #CHIMEHACK, a 3-day hackathon hosted at Twitter’s San Francisco HQ in December 2013, which convened the brightest minds and visionary leaders in technology to create innovative mobile app solutions to support girls and women. The CHIME app is available free from the App Store at: http://www.ichime.in/chimeapp.

In addition to launching the app, CHIME FOR CHANGE appealed to supporters around the world to mark International Women’s Day by tweeting their support for the women and girls who inspire them, using #CHIMEIN.

Gucci Creative Director and CHIME FOR CHANGE co-founder Frida Giannini, said: “Since launching CHIME FOR CHANGE last year, we have raised significant funds and awareness for girls and women around the world, but our work has only just begun. We believe in the power of technology and partnerships to drive change, as we are all stronger together. With the launch of this app, we are calling on our community to lend their voices – together, we can call for change in the loudest voice possible.”

CHIME FOR CHANGE co-founder Beyoncé Knowles-Carter created a signature bell sound for the new app, lending her vocals from “Pretty Hurts.” By sharing her voice, she is calling on others around the world to #CHIMEIN: “I am honored to be a part of the continuing work of CHIME FOR CHANGE on behalf of women and girls around the world, and especially at this time to mark International Women’s Day.”

CHIME FOR CHANGE also announced a strategic collaboration with Kellogg’s Special K Europe. Special K has committed to reaching more than 25 million households across Europe with the message of CHIME FOR CHANGE. The brand aims to digitally activate and engage 250,000 of their community members, and through generous financial support, will fund projects helping
more than 25,000 women.

Salma Hayek Pinault, co-founder of CHIME FOR CHANGE, said “Today marks a significant moment for CHIME FOR CHANGE as we continue to drive awareness of girls’ and women’s empowerment among millions of households across the world through a collaborative partnership with Kellogg’s Special K. CHIME is giving girls and women everywhere a platform to unite, and through strategic collaborations, their voices are getting louder and our fight against inequality and injustice even stronger.”

Commenting on the partnership, Peter Soer, VP Marketing at Kellogg Europe and a new member of the CHIME FOR CHANGE Advisory Board, said: “We are thrilled to join so many other voices helping girls and women to shine and be the best they can be, which is what Kellogg’s Special K is all about. Large brands like ours can use our scale and reach to help make a positive impact on the world by driving awareness, inspiring action and ultimately helping to make change happen.”

Kellogg’s Special K becomes the latest strategic partner for CHIME FOR CHANGE, joining Twitter, another recent strategic partner, the Kering Foundation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Facebook, Hearst Magazines, Catapult, P&G Prestige and Twitter to support the empowerment of girls and women around the world. Through a worldwide Mother’s Day promotion at 13,000 points of sale, Gucci Fragrances is committing a minimum $1 million USD to support projects for girls and women around the world. The support of these partners, and today’s announcement from Special K, demonstrate an ongoing commitment by CHIME FOR CHANGE to growing a coalition of likeminded brands, organizations and individuals who are concerned about Education, Health and Justice for girls and women everywhere.

CHIME FOR CHANGE, founded by Gucci, campaigns to convene, unite and strengthen the voices speaking out for girls and women around the world, with a focus on using innovative approaches to raise funds and awareness for Education, Health and Justice projects. Through its crowdfunding partner Catapult, CHIME FOR CHANGE has fully funded more than 280 projects in 81 countries through 87 non-profit partners.

CHIME FOR CHANGE reports on the impact of these projects, and shines a spotlight on powerful stories of girls and women globally through journalism and film. To learn more about the campaign and the girls and women it reaches, visit http://www.chimeforchange.org and www.facebook.com/chimeforchange, and view the CHIME FOR CHANGE short films at
http://www.youtube.com/chimeforchange.

The CHIME FOR CHANGE Founding Committee includes Frida Giannini, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and Salma Hayek Pinault. The CHIME FOR CHANGE Advisory Board includes Hafsat Abiola, Muna AbuSulayman, Valerie Amos, Humaira Bachal, Jimmie Briggs, Gordon and Sarah Brown, Lydia Cacho, David Carey, Joanne Crewes, Minh Dang, Juliet de Baubigny, Waris Dirie, Carolyn Everson, Helene Gayle, Leymah Gbowee, Yasmeen Hassan, Arianna Huffington, Musimbi Kanyoro, Alicia Keys, Yang Lan, John Legend, Madonna, Pat Mitchell, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Alyse Nelson, Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, Francois-Henri Pinault, Julia Roberts, Jill Sheffield, Alison Smale, Jada Pinkett Smith, Peter Soer, Caryl Stern, Meryl Streep, the Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Mpho Tutu, and Monique Villa.
Founded in Florence in 1921, Gucci is one of the world’s leading luxury fashion brands. Alongside the values of quality, creativity and Italian artisanal craftsmanship, for which the brand is renowned, Gucci also believes in the importance of a responsible attitude towards people, the environment and the communities in which it operates. Corporate citizenship is a fundamental part
of the mission and operating philosophy of the company. For more information about Gucci, please visit http://www.gucci.com

Launched in 2009, the Kering Foundation combats Violence Against Women. It supports NGOs and social entrepreneurs, helps raise awareness on Violence Against Women and encourages employee involvement in Americas, Western Europe and Asia.
More than 140,000 women benefited from the Foundation’s support since its inception. www.keringfoundation.org @KeringForWomen

P&G Prestige is the producer of Gucci Parfums. Its President Joanne Crewes, also a CHIME FOR CHANGE Advisory Board Member, teamed up with Giannini to create the Gucci Parfums donation program launched in 2013. Gucci Parfums announced a minimum pledge of $1 million to support CHIME FOR CHANGE projects through the sales of five designated iconic Gucci fragrances: Flora by Gucci, Gucci Guilty pour Femme and Gucci Guilty pour Homme, Gucci Première and Gucci Made To Measure. With a unique donation code in each product, consumers will be able to help improve the lives of girls and women by choosing to support projects promoting Education, Health or Justice. Gucci Parfums is encouraging consumers to redeem their donation codes online at http://www.chimeforchange.org/gucciparfums, and to share their involvement, spreading the message of the campaign.

John Legend to Perform at Governors Ball on Oscar® Sunday

John Legend, nine-time Grammy® Award-winning singer-songwriter, will take the stage on Oscar Sunday, March 2, at the Academy’s official post-Oscars celebration, the Governors Ball.

“John Legend is one of the industry’s most innovative and talented artists,” said Jeffrey Kurland, Costume Design Branch governor and chair of the Governors Ball.  “We’re thrilled he will be joining us to celebrate this year’s achievements in film, and for what promises to be a most memorable evening.”

Legend’s critically acclaimed 2004 debut album, “Get Lifted,” garnered eight Grammy nominations and earned him a win for best R&B album.  That year he also won best new artist of the year and best male R&B vocal performance for the hit single “Ordinary People.”  His fourth solo album, “Love in the Future,” is nominated for best R&B album at the upcoming Grammy Awards.  Legend’s songs have been included in the soundtracks of such films as “Waiting for Superman,” “Think Like a Man” and “Django Unchained.”

In 2007 Legend launched an education-focused organization, the Show Me Campaign, which works to break the cycle of poverty in both the U.S. and Africa.  He also serves on the boards of several other organizations, including Stand for Children, Teach For America, the Harlem Village Academies and PopTech.

Legend will perform for the Ball’s 1,500 guests, which will include Oscar winners and nominees, show presenters and performers, and other luminaries.  The Ball will be held in the Ray Dolby Ballroom on the top level of the Hollywood & Highland Center®.

The Academy Awards® for outstanding film achievements of 2013 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center and televised live on the ABC Television Network.  The presentation, produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.