Press Release
16
Who Doesn't Need a Hug These Days?
by Paul Mitchell Schools on 8/16/2011Paul Mitchell Schools Announce 3rd Annual Free Hugs Day
An army of 16,500 Future Professionals will take to the streets on September 21, 2011, when the nationwide network of Paul Mitchell cosmetology schools holds its third annual Free Hugs Day, with simultaneous events throughout the continental United States and Hawaii.
Inspired by the Sick Puppies YouTube music video about Juan Mann’s popular Free Hugs campaign, the Paul Mitchell Schools decided to hold their own Free Hugs Days, reaching out in their local communities to spread their positive message through a simple little hug.
“As members of the beauty industry, we’re in the business of helping people look beautiful,” says Paul Mitchell Schools Dean and Cofounder Winn Claybaugh. “More important, it’s part of our ‘be nice’ culture to help people feel beautiful. Our Free Hugs campaign is just one of the many ways our Future Professionals show their passion and compassion in their local communities.”
Dressed in their signature black outfits, carrying handmade “Free Hugs” signs, and naturally sporting fabulous styles, Future Professionals from the network’s 100 schools will lay down their combs and march out the door, heading for plazas, parks, and other popular spots to offer hugs and make people’s day.
Events for day and night school students will occur simultaneously in every time zone throughout the country:
Hawaii time: 9 a.m. (day school), 3:30 p.m. (night school)
Pacific time: 11 a.m. (day school), 5:30 p.m. (night school)
Mountain time: 12 noon (day school), 6:30 p.m. (night school)
Central time: 1 p.m. (day school), 7:30 p.m. (night school)
Eastern time: 2 p.m. (day school), 8:30 p.m. (night school)
Paul Mitchell artists, educators, top executives, and superstars will join the Future Professionals at Free Hugs locations in their areas.
For more information about Free Hugs Day events in your community, contact your local Paul Mitchell School. Visit www.paulmitchell.edu to locate a school near you.
Related Links
Free Hugs Day 2010 photo album:
http://paulmitchell.edu/photo-gallery/album?albumid=1897
Free Hugs Day 2010 Facebook photo album:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.145560828820000.24577.145349708841112&l=813fcb53fe&type=1
Free Hugs Day 2009 video:
http://www.youtube.com/paulmitchellschools#p/u/29/zNK3rCI6QaU
Free Hugs Day 2010 YouTube playlist:
http://www.youtube.com/paulmitchellschools#p/c/1D77C0D55B48B480
About Paul Mitchell Schools
When visitors tour a Paul Mitchell School, they notice something different—a positive learning environment everywhere they look. Each school is a learning community that provides Future Professionals with the opportunities to develop essential skills while exploring their talents, passion, and creativity. Paul Mitchell School instructors—or “learning leaders”—are trained to draw out the artist in every student and prepare them to compete in the real world. Through their annual three-month “FUNraising campaign,” the nationwide network has raised and donated over $6 million to charitable organizations, built two homes with Habitat for Humanity; fed thousands of African orphans; and supported the victims of AIDS, breast cancer, homelessness, hurricanes, abuse, and hundreds of other causes.
Established over 30 years ago, the Paul Mitchell network is nearly 100,000 salons strong and in 81 countries worldwide. Every professional hairdresser knows the Paul Mitchell name. Prospective employers recognize Paul Mitchell Schools’ commitment to quality and their reputation for innovation and excellence.
About the Free Hugs Campaign
Feeling depressed and lonely after numerous personal difficulties, Australian Juan Mann was deeply touched by a random hug from a stranger at a party. What began as one person giving hugs in a Sydney mall eventually evolved into a worldwide social movement of individuals offering hugs to strangers in public places. The campaign received international attention in 2006 as the result of a YouTube music video by Australian band Sick Puppies. For more information, visit the official Free Hugs Campaign Web site at www.freehugscampaign.org.
