USA Network’s Characters Approved Campaign announced its’ third year of 12 Cultural Trailblazers for 2011. Selected from a cross-section of various disciplines and arts, these honorees reflect a unique vision and cultural influence in not only the US, their specific world or sector but in the global world in which we live. These 12 people are pioneers who have sought to break boundaries, set new standards and create new vision.
ARCHITECTURE– Walter Hood:
Through his innovative work in landscape architecture, Walter Hood is redefining how we think about our surroundings. He is known for transforming neglected public space into places that are relevant and meaningful to their communities. His studio, Hood Design, has been engaged in architectural commissions, urban design, art installations, and research for almost twenty years.
ART– Vik Muniz:
For decades, Brooklyn-‐based Brazilian artist Vik Muniz has transcended media to question perceptions of art. Using whimsical media such as chocolate syrup, diamonds and trash, Muniz 2 has re-‐appropriated canonized works and created an unconventional aesthetic of his own. The 2011 Academy Award nominated documentary Waste Land, is based on his evocative work.
DESIGN– Emily Pilloton:
Pilloton is revolutionizing communities through design. She founded Project H, a nonprofit organization – one part design firm, one part advocacy group – that is dedicated to harnessing the power of design for social good.
FASHION – Prabal Gurung:
With his inspiring, fresh aesthetic, designer Prabal Gurung has skyrocketed to the pinnacle of the American fashion scene. Drawing inspiration from around the globe, Gurung transforms clothing into wearable art.
FILM – Davis Guggenheim:
Critics and audiences agree – Davis Guggenheim is one of the most talented and influential documentary filmmakers of our time. What he accomplished for the environment with An Inconvenient Truth, he has now done for education with “Waiting for “Superman.”
FOOD – Grant Achatz:
With incredible imagination and whimsy, Achatz has re-‐envisioned the way we experience food. His Chicago restaurant, Alinea, has transformed food into performance art and is the definition of inspired, inventive cuisine, and is poised to do so again with the opening of Next in April.
GIVING – Blake Mycoskie:
In just four short years, Mycoskie has created one of the most innovative and socially responsible retail companies in the country, pioneering the one-‐for-‐one sell & give-‐away concept with TOMS Shoes. Since 2006, TOMS has given over one million pairs of new shoes to children in need through giving partners around the world.
MUSIC – Janelle Monáe:
Singer, dancer, futuristic funktress, Monáe and her music transcend genre and definition. In 2010, Monáe released the brilliant and imaginative ArchAndroid, which garnered two Grammy nominations.
NEW MEDIA – Dennis Crowley & Naveen Selvadurai:
The founding duo behind foursquare, the locations-‐based social networking site, have been on a meteoric rise this year, with membership exceeding 6.5 million users. Through their creation, Crowley and Selvadurai have encouraged us to connect in new ways with the people and places that matter most.
THEATRE – Lily Rabe:
With one of the most extraordinary performances of the season, Lily Rabe has made The Merchant of Venice on Broadway shine anew. At only 28 years old, Rabe has managed a reinterpretation of Portia that has added originality and new complexity to Shakespeare’s work.
WRITING – Nicole Krauss:
Nicole Krauss has emerged as one of the most intriguing authors of the last decade. Her most recent novel, Great House, was a finalist for the National Book Award, and The New Yorker 3 named Krauss as one of the top 20 writers under 40.
The Character Approved multiplatform campaign will also include a six-‐week
on-‐air flight following the telecast featuring short-‐form honoree profile vignettes; national print support including ads in Entertainment Weekly, New Yorker, and Rolling Stone; select high-‐profile out-‐of-‐home media placements; a targeted digital effort (e.g. NPR, Huffington Post) as well as a strong social media presence. The digital hub characterapproved.usanetwork.com– includes exclusive editorial and video footage from hours of honoree interviews by director Phil Griffin.
Congratulations to all who won these accolades.
Stevie Wilson, LA-Story.com
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