Disney ABC Television Group and ESPN Encourage Viewers to "Choose Kindness" in New Bullying Prevention Month Campaign

GLENDALE, CALIF. AND BRISTOL, CONN. - In support of National Bullying Prevention Month in October, Disney ABC Television Group and ESPN are working together to encourage viewers to "choose kindness" in an effort to help end bullying.

One out of every four students reports being bullied during the school year, according to a 2015 report by the National Center for Educational Statistics. In response, a public-service announcement airing throughout October on ABC, ESPNU, Longhorn Network, SEC Network will spread the message that together we can choose kindness and end bullying. Featured talent include Tisha Campbell Martin, Erica Christensen, Dave Foley, Ken Jeong, Priyanka Chopra, Kelly McCreary, Randall Park, Alfonso Ribeiro, Caterina Scorsone, Jeremy Sisto, Jonathan Slavin, Ming-Na Wen, Ed Westwick and Constance Wu from ABC; and Cari Champion, Antonietta "Toni" Collins, Will Reeve and Stephen A. Smith from ESPN.

Additionally, ESPN and Disney ABC Television Group are sponsoring the "Choose Kindness" campaign with DoSomething.org, the largest organization for young people and social change that will encourage young people to spread positivity. The campaign will encourage DoSomething.org members to post inspirational quotes from famous athletes and writers in locker rooms, gyms and libraries. The quotes will be about the importance of kindness, perseverance and overcoming adversity. The goal is to help young people express compassion and choose kindness in troubling situations, all while helping to build a culture of positivity in their schools. Learn more at DoSomething.org/ChooseKindness.

ESPN also will provide $25,000 grants to Stomp Out Bullying, GLAAD and GLSEN to support anti-bullying initiatives.

To view the PSA and for more information, visit ABC.com/BeInspired or ESPN.com/Citizenship. To support the Choose Kindness campaign, include the following hashtags in your social media posts throughout the month of October: #ChooseKindness and #BeInspired.

Disney ABC Television Group

The Disney ABC Television Group is composed of The Walt Disney Company's global entertainment and news television properties, owned television stations, and radio business. This includes ABC, ABC Studios, ABC News, ABC Owned Television Stations Group, Disney Channels Worldwide and ABC Family, as well as Disney/ABC Domestic Television and Disney Media Distribution. The Company's equity interest in A+E Networks and Hulu round out the Group's portfolio of media businesses.

ESPN Corporate Citizenship

ESPN believes that, at its very best, sports uplifts the human spirit. Its corporate citizenship programs use power of sport to positively address society's needs through strategic community investments, cause marketing programs, collaboration with sports organizations and employee volunteerism, while also utilizing its diverse media assets. For more information go to www.espn.com/citizenship.

DoSomething.org

DoSomething.org makes the world suck less. One of the largest global orgs for young people and social change, our over 4 million members tackle campaigns that impact every cause, from poverty to violence to the environment to literally everything else. Any cause, anytime, anywhere. *mic drop