LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwired - Oct 21, 2014) - Winston Baker announces a national partnership with TrueSpark, a non-profit education organization engaging teens about positive character through films. As a national partner, Winston Baker will support TrueSpark's mission to positively impact the lives of American youth by providing character-based educational programs at school and youth organizations.
"We've always believed that movies have a way of profoundly impacting lives, which is why we chose to be a part of this industry as conference producers. Under the leadership of David Tice and Dominic Ianno, TrueSpark has created an effective vehicle to positively influence and educate teens and we are excited and honored to be a part of such a great movement," said Katherine Winston and Amy Baker, co-founders and managing partners of Winston Baker, in a joint statement.
Winston Baker supported the launch of the breakthrough charity earlier in 2014 and is making plans to provide additional avenues for TrueSpark's expansion and exposure. Early next year, TrueSpark will be featured at the finance forums being held in Los Angeles and New York, March 9-11 and April 14, respectively. Winston Baker will also be organizing special events to assist with TrueSpark's outreach and fundraising efforts.
This partnership will propel the important message that movies are a valuable tool in teaching teens about positive character traits like courage, perseverance, purpose, and empathy. The TrueSpark curriculum contains more than fifty movies that represent a variety of eras, genres, and themes, including October Sky, Twelve Angry Men and The Blind Side . Students are engaged by teachers in curriculum-based lessons, discussions and activities that demonstrate the benefit of positive character in their own lives.
TrueSpark President and CEO, Dominic Ianno said, "Winston Baker has access to the most important thought leaders in the film industry and connects with change agents around the world. This partnership is an amazing opportunity to rally these key influencers around TrueSpark's critical mission of bringing positive character to our youth. We want to connect with like-minded people who are interested in helping us to inspire tomorrow's leaders."
TrueSpark has been publicly endorsed by notable producers, directors and actors. Actors such as Dennis Quaid, Sean Astin, and AnnaSophia Robb have supported the program by participating in TrueSpark school events and fundraising efforts. Quaid provided an endorsement stating, "I believe that films influence peoples' lives. I know because they influenced my own. TrueSpark provides a platform to expose young people to films that enrich their lives."
The Winston Baker team and Dominic Ianno are joined by David Tice, Founder and Chairman of TrueSpark, in providing essential support to expand the program. "The genesis of TrueSpark came from my realization that movies help build character and to illustrate the potential for kids to dream big and succeed. Currently we are in 25 states. We need to reach kids in all 50 states," said Tice.
For more information or to make a donation, visit www.TrueSpark.org .
About Winston Baker Founded by Katherine Winston and Amy Baker, Winston Baker produces events globally for the entertainment and media industries addressing strategies for innovation, investment and growth. Winston Baker is the leading producer of film, TV and digital media finance conferences, successfully creating and producing the Film Finance Forum ® Series and hosting sold out conferences across the US, Europe, Pacific Asia, China, and Latin America. At each event, Winston Baker brings together the most seasoned and influential entertainment executives and financiers to address changing trends. For more information: www.WinstonBaker.com .
About TrueSpark TrueSpark is a national non-profit delivering compelling education programs to youth aged 8-18. Through the use of mainstream, inspiring movies, TrueSpark exposes, immerses and engages kids in a unique learning experience that sparks the development of positive character traits. Since 2010, TrueSpark has offered free curriculum to more than 337 sites across 25 states. More than 7,000 youth have completed the TrueSpark program. For more information or to make a donation: www.truespark.org .
Contacts: Katherine Winston Co-Founder and Managing Partner WINSTON | BAKER (310) 922-1544 kwinston@winstonbaker.com Tamar Datan Executive Director TrueSpark (310) 857-5741 tdatan@truespark.org
