August 10, 2011

NFL Player Promotes Literacy Using Justin Bieber Graphic Novel

Brandon Williams Justin Bieber graphic novel

When we received a press release telling us that an NFL player was promoting literacy using the Justin Bieber Graphic Novel, we had to post it. Because it’s for a good cause. And it’s a chance to mention Justin Bieber. And comic books.

We have nothing against Justin Bieber personally. We will say that we are glad we have boy children and therefore are not forced to listen to Justin Bieber’s music, or see the Justin Bieber movie. (I keep mistyping Bieber’s name as Justin Biever. I wonder how often that happens?)

At any rate, here’s the deal: Brandon Williams played in the NFL and is now promoting reading using comic books. The first one is the Justin Bieber Graphic Novel (which is just another way to say “comic book”), titled Justin Bieber
FAME. (This is so you don’t confuse him with the not famous Justin Bieber, who is a plumber. We kid.)

Here is the full press release. We’re all for promoting literacy, and we like comic books. But we should be honest and say that we found this release kind of funny. We’re not being mean. Just honest. We wish Brandon Williams, and even Justin Bieber, the best.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FORMER ST. LOUIS RAMS NFL PLAYER BRANDON WILLIAMS TO PROMOTE READING IN SCHOOLS WITH JUSTIN BIEBER GN

Brandon Williams Economic Development Corporation teams with the FAME:Justin Bieber graphic novel to Increase Reading in school programs.

St. Louis, August, 2011 – NFL Player turned Entrepreneur Brandon Williams has teamed with
International Comic Book Company, Blue Water, to assist reading skill sets in schools nationwide. The
program titled, “Read with Athletes and Celebrities,” was conceived by the Brandon Williams Economic
Development Corporation research department (BWEDC). BWEDC is a full service economic
development corporation with emphasis on job creation. BWEDC partners with corporations,
professional athletes, governments, and nonprofits to assist in branding expansion and business growth.
Through BWEDC’s “Athletes Rebuild America” campaign, strategic partnerships are formed to address
the recession through job creation, program enhancement, and access to capital. “We have concluded
that children are not dumb, they are simply bored”, said Brandon Williams of the partnership. “Our goal
is to get kids reading more avidly nationwide by providing a creative outlet such as fully colored comic
books about celebrities, athletes, and other influential people such as President Obama that will excite
students,” said Williams. The concept is enhanced by having role models such as athletes to endorse
reading in a contemporary fashion.

BWEDC core partner for the project, Bluewater is a full-service publishing and production company
specializing in comic books, graphic novels, and Multimedia outlets. Dedicated to pairing high-quality art
with innovative storytelling, Bluewater creates a wide variety of intellectual properties that engage a
growing readership and bridge the gap between comic books and the diverse multimedia marketplace.
With more titles than ever, including smash hits such as the 10th Muse, VSS and The Legend of Isis.
There are lesson plans as well. Bluewater President Darren said he grew to like reading by reading comic
books. Providing kids with a role model such as a celebrity who they can look up to will bring a new
interest in reading. The “Read with a Celebrity” campaign will have a different featured celebrity each
month and the first graphic novel read will be about teen sensation, Justin Bieber. The unauthorized Justin Bieber FAME graphic novel was released ealier this year with a lot of buzz. Kids will compete by reading the comic book and reporting about the comic book to the Brandon Williams EconomicDevelopment Corporation. Once the essays are tabulated the winners will be notified about their winnings. This campaign will also go to schools to get their school involved by purchasing books that students find entertaining as well as informative.
A portion of the proceeds will go to inner city schools to assist in reading programs.

The Brandon Williams EDC and Bluewater Production Partnership will support schools, library systems,
and educators alike by hosting speaking, educational, and hands-on events while providing reading
materials that will capture and engage the reader in a literary and visual manner.

Bluewater Productions brings a diverse library of titles and talent to the table. With stories that range
from biographies,classic myths, science fiction and superheroes to Hollywood legends such as William Shatner,
Roger Corman, Ray Harryhausen, Vincent Price and S.E. Hinton, Bluewater is a fresh voice in comic
publishing. To learn more about Bluewater go to www.bluewwaterprod.com.

Schools are failing nationwide. The Brandon Williams EDC and Bluewater Production Partnership will
address these concerns and increase reading not only through comic books but through educational
technology. The comic books will be in hard copy as well as available through phone apps. For more information contact please visit the Brandon Williams Economic Development Corporation website at  www.brandonwilliamsedc.com.

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Get Justin Bieber: FAME, The Graphic Novel at Amazon


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