Television Commercial Director Daniel Azarian Produces Anti-Bullying Public Service Announcement with the New York City Anti-Violence Project on the One-Year Anniversary of Tyler Clementi's Suicide

NEW YORK, Sept. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Underdog Entertainment, a New York-based production company, today announced that Daniel Azarian, a director of television commercials and branded entertainment, has produced a series of PSAs with the New York City Anti-Violence Project (AVP) entitled, "Bullying is Violence."

The PSA is being released today, the one-year anniversary of Rutgers College Student Tyler Clementi's suicide as a result of anti-gay bullying.

"Thanks to Daniel Azarian and Underdog Entertainment, AVP is able to make the important connection between bullying and the severe and too frequent violence that impacts LGBTQ people every day and at every age," said Sharon Stapel, Executive Director of the New York City Anti-Violence Project.  "One year ago today, Rutgers University freshman Tyler Clementi took his own life after experiencing anti-LGBTQ bullying.  These Public Service Announcements bring much-needed awareness to the growing problem of violence faced by LGBTQ people."

The PSAs feature a varied demographic of people filmed in the style of a series of photographic portraits, addressing the issue of bullying.  "Tyler Clementi's suicide was the impetus for me to produce this," explains director Azarian, "and to find out that 14yo Jamey Rodemeyer was just found dead of an apparent suicide as a result of bullying broke my heart.  When bullying gets to the point where people are taking their own lives, something has to be done."  The PSAs also feature Claire Buffie (Miss New York 2010) and Ronnie Kroell (Bravo's Make Me A Supermodel).

The spot can be viewed at www.IamAntiViolence.org.

The New York City Anti-Violence Project is dedicated to eliminating hate violence, sexual assault, stalking, and domestic violence in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and HIV-affected communities through counseling, advocacy, organizing, and public education.  Visit www.avp.org for more information.

Daniel Azarian has won five Telly Awards including Telly's highest honor, the Silver Award.  He most recently won two Tellys for the PSA, "Save Lolita." Azarian has also directed and produced national spots for 3M's Scotch-Brite brand and Horizon Organic. Blue-chip telecommunications firms and entertainment networks have licensed Azarian's commercial spots for their US and international mobile networks.

Underdog Entertainment (www.UnderdogEntertainment.com) is a New York-based production company active in producing commercial spots, branded and traditional entertainment and film. 

Contact:
Robert Michael
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SOURCE Underdog Entertainment