Big Brothers Big Sisters Joins Forces with The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies to Inspire Audiences to "Start Something Epic"

IRVING, Texas, Nov. 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- To celebrate the highly anticipated release of "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies," the final film in Peter Jackson's epic "The Hobbit" Trilogy, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the nation's largest donor and volunteer-supported mentoring organization, has teamed up with Warner Bros. Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM) and New Line Cinema to inspire audiences to "Start Something Epic." The partnership was developed by LINK Entertainment Marketing, the leader in connecting brands with the emotional engagement delivered through the power and storytelling of entertainment. The campaign launches on November 15^th with television ads featuring scenes from the movie, as well as print media, encouraging audiences to "Start Something Epic" by either donating or volunteering. 

In theaters December 17, 2014, "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies" brings to an epic conclusion the adventures of Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) and the Company of Dwarves. Messages of growth, leadership and perseverance resonate throughout the film. With encouragement and support from Gandalf, Bilbo discovers his own depths courage and ingenuity—he just needed someone to help show him the way, and, when necessary, give him a push in the right direction. Their iconic friendship is emblematic of the relationship between an adult volunteer ("Big") and a child ("Little") enrolled in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. The similarities helped to inspire the tagline, "Whether you are Big or Little, Start Something Epic," inviting audiences to become a Big Brother or Big Sister to a child in need.

"Big Brothers Big Sisters is thankful for the opportunity to work with Warner Bros., MGM and New Line, and with a film of this magnitude," stated Pam Iorio, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. "We hope the film's message of leadership will inspire others to lead in their local communities by becoming mentors to children in need."

For 110 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has impacted the lives of children by carefully pairing screened adult volunteers ("Bigs") with children ("Littles") in safe, one-to-one long-term mentoring matches. The organization provides mentors, mentees and parents ongoing professional support and guidance. Studies have shown that children enrolled in the program are more engaged in school, less likely to use drugs or alcohol, and have greater confidence and improved relationships with their peers, parents, and teachers. 

About Big Brothers Big Sisters
Big Brothers Big Sisters, the nation's largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network, holds itself accountable for children in its program to achieve measurable outcomes such as educational success, avoidance of risky behaviors, higher aspirations, greater confidence and better relationships. Partnering with parents/guardians, schools, corporations and others in the community, Big Brothers Big Sisters carefully pairs children ("Littles") with screened volunteer mentors ("Bigs") and monitors and supports these one-to-one mentoring matches throughout their course. The Big Brothers Big Sisters Youth Outcomes Survey substantiates that its mentoring programs have proven, positive academic, socio-emotional and behavioral outcomes for youth, areas linked to high school graduation, avoidance of juvenile delinquency and college or job readiness.

Big Brothers Big Sisters provides children facing adversity, often those of single or low-income households or families where a parent is incarcerated or serving in the military, with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. This mission has been the cornerstone of the organization's 110 year history. With nearly 340 agencies across the country, Big Brothers Big Sisters serves approximately 200,000 children, their families and 200,000 volunteer mentors. Learn more at www.BigBrothersBigSisters.org. 

About "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies"
Directed by Peter Jackson, "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies" features a screenplay by Fran Walsh & Philippa Boyens & Peter Jackson & Guillermo del Toro, based on the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien.  Jackson also produced the film, together with Carolynne Cunningham, Zane Weiner and Fran Walsh.  The executive producers are Alan Horn, Toby Emmerich, Ken Kamins and Carolyn Blackwood, with Philippa Boyens and Eileen Moran serving as co-producers. 

New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Present a Wingnut Films Production, "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies." As with the first two films in the Trilogy, "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" and "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug," the final film is a production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM), with New Line managing production. Warner Bros. Pictures is handling worldwide theatrical distribution, with select international territories as well as all international television distribution being handled by MGM.  www.thehobbit.com  #OneLastTime

For More Information Contact:
Sarah Haney
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
469-351-3147
[email protected]

SOURCE Big Brothers Big Sisters

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