Cheers To Sochi

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Scott Wooledge, [email protected]

** Now Playing: Olympic Hunger Games **

NEW YORK -- #CheersToSochi, the campaign responsible for a viral Coca-Cola parody video that has been viewed more than 100,000 times in 170 countries, has released second video, entitled Olympic Hunger Games: Sochi.

The 60-second clip makes satirical use of the conventions of Hollywood-style action movie trailers to tell the horrifying tale of a maniacal Russian despot who runs roughshod over the basic human rights to free speech and assembly. Aided and abetted by his "Partners" in crime, The International Olympic Committee, Coca-Cola, McDonalds, Dow Chemical, Procter & Gamble, General Electric, Panasonic, Samsung, Omega, Visa, Atos, the diabolical Putin terrorizes Russia's gay community, with a little help from Neo-Nazi friends. 

Though tongue in check in tone, the video footage is 100% authentic and culled from the both government oppression and vigilant aggression that terrorize Russia’s LGBT community daily. On day one of the Olympics, several lesbian women were taken on into police custody and report being beaten, kicked, spit on and threatened with rape by the Russian police. 

#CheersToSochi an on-going social media campaign that has created much embarrassment for Sochi Olympic sponsors, in particular McDonald’s and Coca-Cola (see, Forbes). Previously LGBT activists successfully hijacked advertising promotions by Coca-Cola, and McDonald’s two global Olympic sponsors - including McDonald’s social media hashtag #CheerstoSochi. A website, CheersToSochi.org, now serves as a resource for people to continue the conversation with Sochi Olympic sponsors about their concerns about LGBT rights in Russia.  

“It will be a long Olympic month for the sponsors,” said creator Scott Wooledge. “The LGBT community worldwide, from New York to Hong Kong to London to Berlin, has not been shy about telling these sponsors what they what: a clear denunciation of Russia's anti-gay laws in, and unambiguous call to the Russian government they must be repealed. They have all thus far stayed shamefully silent, and that is not acceptable way for them to make their Olympic profits. These companies’ support is much appreciated in western markets. But LGBT people are increasingly under horrific attack abroad, in countries like Russia, Nigeria, Uganda and elsewhere. It is time for these companies to come out of the international closet with their support for their LGBT friends worldwide, not just were it's convenient. These are enormous multi-nationals corporations that operate worldwide and they have an obligation to speak on behalf of their LGBT employees, wherever they reside.” 

NOW PLAYING ON NBC! Olympic Hunger Games: SOCHI! The horrifying story of a maniacal despot who runs rough shod over the human right to free speech and assembly. Aided and abetted by his "Partners" in crime, Coca-Cola, McDonalds, Dow Chemical, Procter & Gamble, General Electric, Panasonic, Samsung, Omega, Visa, Atos, Putin terrorizes Russia's LGBT community, with a little help from Neo-Nazi friends. Do not expect this to show on NBC.