Disney's Friends for Change (also referred to as Friends for Change: Project Green) is a
pro-social
Prosocial behavior, or intent to benefit others, is a social behavior that "benefit other people or society as a whole", "such as helping, sharing, donating, co-operating, and volunteering". Obeying the rules and conforming to socially accepted beh ...
"
green
Green is the color between cyan and yellow on the visible spectrum. It is evoked by light which has a dominant wavelength of roughly 495570 Nanometre, nm. In subtractive color systems, used in painting and color printing, it is created by ...
" initiative that started in the summer of 2009.
History
Disney stars stress environmental issues in the campaign, encouraging fans to take action. The year-long campaign draws on how Disney stars connect with younger fans.
Demi Lovato
Demetria Devonne Lovato ( ; born August 20, 1992), known as Demi Lovato, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. After appearing on the children's television series ''Barney & Friends'' (2002–2004), Lovato rose to prominence for pl ...
,
Miley Cyrus
Miley Ray Cyrus ( ; born Destiny Hope Cyrus on November 23, 1992) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Known for her distinctive raspy voice, her music spans across varied styles and genres, including pop, country, rock, hip hop ...
,
Selena Gomez
Selena Marie Gomez ( ; born July 22, 1992) is an American singer, actress and producer. Gomez began her acting career on the children's television series ''Barney & Friends'' (2002–2004). As a teenager, she rose to prominence for starring a ...
, and the
Jonas Brothers
The Jonas Brothers () are an American pop rock band. Formed in 2005, they gained popularity from their appearances on the Disney Channel television network. They consist of three brothers: Kevin Jonas, Joe Jonas, and Nick Jonas. Raised in W ...
were among the original stars in the 30 second to 2 minute
public service announcements
A public service announcement (PSA) is a message in the public interest disseminated by the media without charge to raise public awareness and change behavior. In the UK, they are generally called a public information film (PIF); in Hong Kong, ...
currently airing on
Disney Channel
Disney Channel, sometimes known as simply Disney, is an American pay television channel that serves as the flagship property of Disney Branded Television, a unit of the Disney General Entertainment Content division of The Walt Disney Compan ...
. As part of the initiative, kids will have the ability to choose how Disney will invest one million dollars in various environmental programs.
The initiative was presented instead of the 2009 and 2010
Disney Channel Games
''Disney Channel Games'' are a ''Battle of the Network Stars''-based annual television series that aired on the Disney Channel during the summer from 2006 to 2008. Phill Lewis was the co-host of the first two editions in 2006 and 2007, and Brian ...
. The first
Disney's Friends for Change Games
''Disney Channel Games'' are a ''Battle of the Network Stars''-based annual television series that aired on the Disney Channel during the summer from 2006 to 2008. Phill Lewis was the co-host of the first two editions in 2006 and 2007, and Bri ...
premiered June 24, 2011 on Disney Channel, replacing the
Disney Channel Games
''Disney Channel Games'' are a ''Battle of the Network Stars''-based annual television series that aired on the Disney Channel during the summer from 2006 to 2008. Phill Lewis was the co-host of the first two editions in 2006 and 2007, and Brian ...
. A special 30 minute program called "Lights, Camera, Take Action! Backstage with Disney's Friends for Change" that was shown on Disney Channel directly after ''
Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie,'' was hosted by Tiffany Thornton and directed by Michael Blum and Tracy Pion. It showcased behind-the-scenes footage during the making of the project.
When a show ends and the stars begin to transition their way out of Disney Channel, they leave the initiative as well. This is the case for the ''
Hannah Montana
''Hannah Montana'' is an American teen sitcom created by Michael Poryes, Rich Correll and Barry O'Brien that aired on Disney Channel for four seasons between March2006 and January2011. The series centers on Miley Stewart (Miley Cyrus), a ...
'' and ''
Jonas
Jonas may refer to:
Geography
* Jonas, Netherlands, Netherlands
* Jonas, Pennsylvania, United States
* Jonas Ridge, North Carolina, United States
People with the name
* Jonas (name), people with the given name or surname Jonas
* Jonas, one of ...
'' stars among the other stars that have left. , there are 36 Disney Channel stars participating in the initiative, and there are 22 former Disney Channel stars who have left the initiative.
Friends for Change Games
The first ''Disney's Friends for Change Games'' was announced for the summer of 2011, replacing the ''
Disney Channel Games
''Disney Channel Games'' are a ''Battle of the Network Stars''-based annual television series that aired on the Disney Channel during the summer from 2006 to 2008. Phill Lewis was the co-host of the first two editions in 2006 and 2007, and Brian ...
'', and premiered on June 24, 2011.
Participants
Below is a list of past and present stars participating in the initiative.
Former
Donations
Send It On
Make a Wave
"Make a Wave" is a song sung by
Demi Lovato
Demetria Devonne Lovato ( ; born August 20, 1992), known as Demi Lovato, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. After appearing on the children's television series ''Barney & Friends'' (2002–2004), Lovato rose to prominence for pl ...
and
Joe Jonas
Joseph Adam Jonas (born August 15, 1989) is an American singer, songwriter, and actor. He rose to fame as a member of the pop rock band the Jonas Brothers, alongside his brothers Kevin Jonas, Kevin and Nick Jonas, Nick. The group released their ...
for Disney's Friends for Change, a charity group formed by Disney for their "Friends for Change" campaign. The song was written by
Scott Krippayne
Scott Krippayne (born July 23, 1970) is an American singer and songwriter. Krippayne is better known for his contributions towards other artists, as over 150 of his songs have been recorded by others including Point of Grace, John Tesh, Avalon (Am ...
and Jeff Peabody, the same team that penned
Jordin Sparks
Jordin Sparks-Thomas (born December 22, 1989) is an American singer and actress. She rose to fame in 2007 after winning the sixth season of ''American Idol'' at age 17, becoming the youngest winner in the series' history. Her self-titled debu ...
' song "
This Is My Now" for ''
American Idol
''American Idol'' is an American singing competition television series created by Simon Fuller, produced by Fremantle North America and 19 Entertainment, and distributed by Fremantle North America. It aired on Fox from June 11, 2002, to Ap ...
''. "Make a Wave" was introduced and performed at
Walt Disney World Resort
The Walt Disney World Resort, also called Walt Disney World or Disney World, is an entertainment resort complex in Bay Lake, Florida, Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista, Florida, Lake Buena Vista, Florida, United States, near the cities of Orlando ...
in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. It was also featured in the 2009
Disneynature
Disneynature is an independent film studio that specializes in the production of nature documentary films for The Walt Disney Studios. The production company was founded on April 21, 2008, and is headquartered in Paris, France.
The company's n ...
film ''
Oceans
The ocean (also the sea or the world ocean) is the body of salt water that covers approximately 70.8% of the surface of Earth and contains 97% of Earth's water. An ocean can also refer to any of the large bodies of water into which the worl ...
''.
Background
The song debuted on February 26 on Radio Disney, reaching as high as number 4 on the Top 30 Countdown, while the music video had its world premiere on Disney Channel on March 14 and launched online the following day at Disney.com. "Make a Wave" was available beginning March 15 on iTunes, with all proceeds benefiting environmental charities through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund. ''Oceans'' hit theaters April 22, 2010 (Earth Day). It peaked at number 84 on ''Billboard'' Hot 100.
Music video
The music video premiered on Disney Channel on March 14 and launched online the following day at Disney.com. It was directed by Michael Blum and Tracy Pion, and was filmed at Point Dume in Malibu. The video features Joe and Demi enjoying the beach and performing the song, intercut with footage from the film ''
Oceans
The ocean (also the sea or the world ocean) is the body of salt water that covers approximately 70.8% of the surface of Earth and contains 97% of Earth's water. An ocean can also refer to any of the large bodies of water into which the worl ...
''.
Chart performance
The song peaked at number 84 on the
''Billboard'' Hot 100. The song was a success on
Radio Disney
Radio Disney was an American radio network operated by the Disney Radio Networks unit of Disney Branded Television within the Disney General Entertainment Content, headquartered in Burbank, California.
The network broadcast music programming ...
's Top 30 Countdown.
Track listings
*U.S. / Digital Download
#"Make a Wave"
(Digital Download) – 4:01
#"Make a Wave"
(Instrumental) – 3:48
Charts
Awards
We Can Change the World
"We Can Change the World" is a song sung by
Bridgit Mendler
Bridgit Claire Mendler (born December 18, 1992) is an American singer and actress. In 2004, she began her career in the animated Indian film ''The Legend of Buddha'', later starring in the films ''Alice Upside Down'' (2007), ''The Clique'' (2008 ...
for the ''Disney's Friends for Change'' campaign and specifically, for the first ''
Disney's Friends for Change Games
''Disney Channel Games'' are a ''Battle of the Network Stars''-based annual television series that aired on the Disney Channel during the summer from 2006 to 2008. Phill Lewis was the co-host of the first two editions in 2006 and 2007, and Bri ...
''.
The song was written by
Joacim Persson
Joacim Bo Persson (born April 17, 1971) is a Swedish songwriter, producer, music publisher, entrepreneur and one of the founders of Auddly, a venture between Niclas Molinder, Max Martin and Björn Ulvaeus (ABBA). With Molinder, he is also part of ...
and Mendler herself.
Background
The song premiered on Radio Disney on June 10. With its release, Disney donated $250,000 to the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund. The song was made available for download on the ''Friends for Change'' website and on iTunes on June 11.
All proceeds went to environmental charities, similar to the other songs released for the initiative.
Music video
The music video premiered on Disney Channel on June 10. It was directed by Art Spigel, director of the ''Disney Channel Games'', and was filmed on-location at Disney Golden Oak Ranch in
Los Angeles
Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...
,
California
California is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, located along the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the List of states and territori ...
. The song features Mendler happily singing in a park with a camera in her hand and into a microphone. Kids from all over the world eventually join her in singing the anthem. Some of the kids include international Disney Channel stars Valeria Baroni, Jorge Blanco, Olavo Cavalheiro, Nicole Ishida, Murtuza Kutianawala and Eve Ottino.
Track listings
*U.S. / Digital download
#"We Can Change the World" – 3:19
*U.K. / Digital download
#"We Can Change the World" – 3:19
#"We Can Change the World (Instrumental)" – 3:19
Release history
Rise
"Rise" is a song sung by
McClain Sisters
Thriii (pronounced "three") is an American girl group that was formed in 2005 by the sisters China Anne McClain, Sierra McClain, and Lauryn McClain. The group was also known as 3mcclaingirls in 2005–2009, McClain Sisters in 2010–2014 and just ...
for the ''Disney's Friends for Change'' campaign for the second ''
Disney's Friends for Change Games
''Disney Channel Games'' are a ''Battle of the Network Stars''-based annual television series that aired on the Disney Channel during the summer from 2006 to 2008. Phill Lewis was the co-host of the first two editions in 2006 and 2007, and Bri ...
''. It was also used in the end credits of the
Disneynature
Disneynature is an independent film studio that specializes in the production of nature documentary films for The Walt Disney Studios. The production company was founded on April 21, 2008, and is headquartered in Paris, France.
The company's n ...
film, ''
Chimpanzee
The chimpanzee (''Pan troglodytes''), also known as simply the chimp, is a species of great ape native to the forest and savannah of tropical Africa. It has four confirmed subspecies and a fifth proposed subspecies. When its close relative th ...
''. The song was written by the McClains.
Background
The song premiered on iTunes on March 23, 2012.
Music video
The music video premiered on
Vevo
Vevo ( , an abbreviation for "Video Evolution", stylized as VEVO until 2013) is an American multinational video hosting service, best known for providing music videos to YouTube. The service is also available as an app on selected smart TVs, di ...
March 26, 2012.
Track listings
*U.S. / Digital Download
#"Rise"
(Digital Download) – 4:11
Charts
References
External links
*
{{Authority control
Disney Channel
Hollywood Records singles
Walt Disney Records singles
Environmental organizations based in the United States
2009 establishments in the United States