MELVILLE, N.Y., Oct. 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Canon
U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital
imaging solutions, is showcasing YouTube video creator and
anti-bullying advocate Anna Akana as
its latest Canon Rebel With A Cause. Since first sharing her
personal story on YouTube after her sister's suicide as a result of
bullying, Akana has used comedy as her own form of therapy. Her
ability to put a unique spin on typically uncomfortable topics led
Canon to select her as a Rebel With A Cause, in honor of the
25th anniversary of the first EOS Rebel SLR camera.
Anna's cause focuses on using comedy to build confidence in youth
that have been bullied, and the video of her cause, shot entirely
on Canon EOS Rebel T6i DSLR cameras, can be seen here:
http://Canon.us/ubcq.
Along with The Groundlings comedy troupe, Anna worked with
bullied teenagers ranging in ages from 13 to 17 to teach them how
to use the power of comedy to face their fears and confidently use
their personal experiences as the basis for their own comedic
material.
"I was able to find peace and tackle my own anxieties through
comedy, so it was amazing to work with teenagers to show them that
humor is far more powerful than words of hate," said actress and
filmmaker, Anna Akana. "I hope the
video of our experience will inspire others to consider the impacts
of bullying and help those who are bullied feel that they are not
alone - and can overcome!"
"According to the US Department of Health and Human Services,
Cyberbullying Research Center, more than 85% of students in
the United States have been
bullied at school, online or via text, so we wanted to give Anna, a
modern day rebel, a platform and a camera to socialize the power of
her voice," said Yuichi Ishizuka,
president and COO, Canon U.S.A.,
Inc.
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Jeff
Sugar, MD, a Distinguished Fellow of the American
Psychiatric Association, worked with the youth in this video to
provide counsel throughout the experience. Tapping into Dr. Sugar's
expertise, Anna was able to help foster a supportive atmosphere
while helping the teenagers involved overcome their
bullying-focused experiences and come out on top…laughing. Once
finished with the workshops, the teenagers got their chance at
center stage for a stand-up routine in front of their families and
friends.
In late 2015, Canon launched Rebel With A Cause, a campaign
designed to profile modern day rebels who challenge convention in
their own unique way, shown through the eye of a Canon EOS Rebel
DSLR camera. With American Daredevil Nik Wallenda, the first
and only person to walk a tightrope across Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon, an
unexpected group of people were encouraged to check items off of
their personal bucket lists. In February
2016, Canon continued Rebel With A Cause, with its second
iteration featuring GRAMMY® winning producer Swizz
Beatz. Aiming to showcase artistic talent that may have otherwise
fallen under the radar of the art community through #TheUnknowns,
Swizz worked to curate an art show for the world to see on the
facades of museums in New York
City, followed by a gallery event at Sotheby's Auction House
and an online auction. The campaign videos, both shot entirely on
Canon EOS Rebel T6i DSLR cameras, can now be viewed here:
http://canon.us/bkQln and here: http://canon.us/bsCZ2.
Concluding the yearlong Canon "Rebel With A Cause" campaign, one
lucky consumer winner was chosen from an online contest searching
for the next great inspiration. Photographer Guinnevere Shuster, an advocate for homeless
sheltered animals, was selected as the winner and Canon will help
bring her cause to life with a documentary production created,
similar to those of the previous Rebels with a Cause. Guinnevere
has photographed over 7,000 shelter animals and continues to strive
to help find animals a loving and lasting home.
About Canon U.S.A.,
Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc., is
a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and
industrial digital imaging solutions to the United States and to Latin America and the Caribbean (excluding Mexico) markets. With approximately
$31 billion in global revenue, its
parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), ranks third overall in U.S.
patents granted in 2015† and is one of Fortune Magazine's World's
Most Admired Companies in 2016. Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest level of
customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based
consumer service and support for all of the products it
distributes. Canon U.S.A. is
dedicated to its Kyosei philosophy of social and
environmental responsibility. In 2014, the Canon Americas
Headquarters secured LEED® Gold certification, a recognition for
the design, construction, operations and maintenance of
high-performance green buildings. To keep apprised of the latest
news from Canon U.S.A., sign up
for the Company's RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss
and follow us on Twitter @CanonUSA. For media inquiries, please
contact pr@cusa.canon.com.
† Based on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent
and Trademark Office.
About Anna
Akana
Anna Akana
started her YouTube channel in 2011, jumpstarting her career as an
actress, producer, filmmaker and writer. Now with over 1.5 million
subscribers, Anna has produced eight short films in the past two
years, along with her weekly online show, which tackles meaningful
messages shared through a comedic lens. Aside from her YouTube
channel, Anna regularly performs stand-up, co-hosts the podcast
"Explain Things to Me" (iTunes Best of 2015) and has several
digital and long form projects currently in development. Most
recently her digital series, "Miss 2059," a 12-episode comedy
sci-fi adventure series, premiered June
21st on Verizon's go90 platform. Akana has also created the
clothing company Ghost & Stars, and has a publishing deal with
Random House/Ballantine, which will have her first book published
in 2017. As a screen actress, Akana's other credits include:
Freeform's "The Fosters," and films "Kids vs. Monsters," "Hello, My
Name is Doris" and "Ant-Man." Upcoming, she can be seen starring
alongside Bella Thorne and
Halston Sage in Awesomeness Film's
new thriller, "You Get Me," and Comedy Central's new original
series, "Corporate."
All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks of
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Canon U.S.A.
website:
http://www.usa.canon.com
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support:
1-800-OK-CANON
ccenter@cits.canon.com
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SOURCE Canon U.S.A., Inc.