A new chapter in the iconic Rocky story, Creed, opens in theaters on November 25 and will champion a national call for mentors with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Highlighting the film’s focus on mentorship and legacy, the partnership with Warner Bros. Entertainment will launch with a call for adults to become mentors through a “Define your legacy” campaign.
In Creed, Rocky’s role takes place outside the ring as he trains and mentors the son of a former opponent, Apollo Creed. This partnership draws several parallels to the concept of legacy as seen through the legacy of Rocky, the legacy that Adonis creates for himself and, most importantly, the legacy audiences can create by becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister.
“Everyone has the power to define their own legacy, and helping a child in need is a big first step,” said Pam Iorio, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. “Every child needs a mentor and role model to build self-confidence and realize their potential.”
During the film, Creed showcases Apollo Creed’s son Adonis Johnson, played by Michael B. Jordan, who seeks out Rocky to help him carve out a name for himself. Together Rocky and Adonis overcome their own struggles, and help each other fight against the odds, each defining, or redefining, his own legacy.
Built to encourage more mentorship across the country, this partnership was developed by LINK Entertainment Marketing, the leader in connecting brands with the emotional engagement delivered through the power and storytelling of entertainment. Currently, there are more than 30,000 children across the United States waiting for a caring adult role model. Children in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program are more confident, get along better with families and are less likely to use drugs and skip school. Audiences can start their legacy by visiting www.BigBrothersBigSisters.org and signing up to become a Big Brother or Big Sister through a local agency.
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
Big Brothers Big Sisters, the nation’s largest donor- and volunteer-supported mentoring network, holds itself accountable for children in its program to achieve measurable outcomes such as educational success, avoidance of risky behaviors, higher aspirations, greater confidence and better relationships. Partnering with parents/guardians, schools, corporations and others in the community, Big Brothers Big Sisters carefully pairs children (“Littles”) with screened volunteer mentors (“Bigs”) and monitors and supports these one-to-one mentoring matches throughout their course. The Big Brothers Big Sisters Youth Outcomes Survey substantiates that its mentoring programs have proven, positive academic, socio-emotional and behavioral outcomes for youth, areas linked to high school graduation, avoidance of juvenile delinquency, and college or job readiness.
Big Brothers Big Sisters provides children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. This mission has been the cornerstone of the organization’s 110-year history. With 313 agencies across the country, Big Brothers Big Sisters serves nearly 200,000 children, their families and 200,000 volunteer mentors. Learn more at www.BigBrothersBigSisters.org.
About Creed
From Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema comes award-winning filmmaker Ryan Coogler’s Creed. The film reunites Coogler with his Fruitvale Station star Michael B. Jordan as the son of Apollo Creed, and explores a new chapter in the Rocky story, starring Academy Award nominee Sylvester Stallone in his iconic role. Creed also stars Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rashad and English pro boxer and former three-time ABA Heavyweight Champion Anthony Bellew.
Coogler directs from a screenplay he wrote with Aaron Covington. The film is being produced by Irwin Winkler, Robert Chartoff, Charles Winkler, William Chartoff, David Winkler, Kevin King-Templeton and Sylvester Stallone, with Nicolas Stern executive producing.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures present, in association with New Line Cinema, a Chartoff Winkler Production, Creed. Opening on November 25, 2015, the film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, with select international territories as well as all television distribution being handled by MGM.
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Contacts:
Laura Ruden,
813-281-0088
LRuden@chappellroberts.com
