(PRESS RELEASE)NOVATO, CA — Zenni, the online eyewear industry leader, is today announcing a furthering of its commitment to help put an end to bullying through a partnership with the No Hate Tour, an educational initiative that empowers students, staff, and family members to promote positive school climates and take a stand against hate and bullying.
As part of the partnership, Zenni will serve as a sponsor for the No Hate Spring Tour, which will reach students at 42 high schools across the country through a series of virtual assemblies featuring celebrities sharing their personal stories related to bullying, inclusion, being an ally, kindness, achieving goals, and overcoming challenges. Zenni has also recruited two of its brand ambassadors, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle and Chicago Bulls point guard Coby White, to join the program’s star-studded roster of participating celebrities in delivering messages to students about the importance of advocating against bullying and hate in all forms.
“It’s an honor for us to join forces with the No Hate Tour to help promote a message that continues to need attention, that there’s no place for bullying in our schools or anywhere,” said Sean Pate, Zenni’s Brand Marketing & Communications officer. “Zenni continues to be an advocate against bullying, and we’re proud to partner with an organization and program that provide students with knowledge and resources to help eradicate it for good.”
During National Bullying Prevention Month in October 2020, Zenni created its “Hater Blocker” campaign, which focused on creating positive ways to respond to the bullying that gamers experience online and offline. Zenni developed a limited-edition t-shirt and special red sunglasses printed with the words “Hater BLOKrZ” and encouraged their partners and influencer network to wear both as a stand against those who might seek to put down and make fun of others. Zenni will donate $7 for every pair of Hater BLOKrZ sold to the Tour through May 31, 2021 at Zenni.com.
Additionally, Zenni plans to share the importance of its Blokz technology, as students are not only spending more time in front of their digital devices for classes, but also for gaming in their free time. Blokz, Zenni’s signature line of blue light-blocking glasses, are made with a unique polymer incorporated into the lens that filters out harmful UV & blue light from digital screens, artificial light, and the sun.
“As a brand with significant exposure to the gaming and esports world, Zenni is cognizant of the types of bullying that can often occur within those spaces, which we know many students occupy,” said Rick Bratman, CEO of ASA Entertainment, producers of the No Hate Tour. “It’s so vital for us to find as many allies as we can across all industries to join our effort to combat prejudice and address these issues in our classrooms and communities, and we’re grateful to have a partner like Zenni in our corner.”
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Now in its 21st year, the No Hate High School Tour has traditionally included live action sports assemblies, but for the current school year the program will run exclusively as a virtual platform that will be made available to students as part of assemblies in classroom or remote-learning settings. State-of-the-art technology will allow the program to provide virtual interaction with students through a combination of live addresses from an ASA emcee and pre-recorded videos from celebrities who are popular among teens.
Participating celebrities in the No Hate Tour include NBA superstar Magic Johnson, skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, actor/comedian Anthony Anderson, football hero Tim Tebow, TikTok superstar Dixie D’Amelio, legendary DJ Steve Aoki, NFL All-Pros Von Miller and Richard Sherman, pro surfer/motivational speaker Bethany Hamilton, FaZe Clan creator FaZe Jarvis, Fifth Harmony pop starAlly Brooke, and action sports icon Travis Pastrana.
