Participant's

NAMI had already worked with Participant on the Social Action Campaign for "The Soloist," so Participant's Social Action Team knew where to turn when doing another film on mental illness The Soloist depicted a Juilliard trained cellist -- played by Jamie Foxx -- who developed schizophrenia and whose descent led to his living on the streets of Los Angeles.

Lloyd I. Sederer, MD: Company with a Conscience: Participant Media's Social Action Campaign and 'The Beaver' MD Lloyd I. Sederer 2011

NAMI had already worked with Participant on the Social Action Campaign for "The Soloist," so Participant's Social Action Team knew where to turn when doing another film on mental illness The Soloist depicted a Juilliard trained cellist -- played by Jamie Foxx -- who developed schizophrenia and whose descent led to his living on the streets of Los Angeles.

Lloyd I. Sederer, MD: Company with a Conscience: Participant Media's Social Action Campaign and 'The Beaver' MD Lloyd I. Sederer 2011

(Among Participant's partners in the social action and marketing campaigns for the film are the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation and Walden Media, founded by Colorado businessman Philip Anschutz.) "What they're doing is using this massive media barrage to demonize teachers and unions and say that poverty doesn't matter," Ravitch says.

For the studio behind 'Waiting for Superman,' movies are a tool for change Ann Hornaday 2010

Most recently, he served as the president of Participant Media, where he helped oversee the marketing campaign for Participant's and DreamWorks Studios' hit drama "The Help," which was distributed by Disney.

Disney Names Movie Marketing Chief Michelle Kung 2012

IMALIVE is the newly launched internet embodiment of their 1-800-SUICIDE line; it is this online, live crisis network that is part of Participant's social action campaign.

Lloyd I. Sederer, MD: Company with a Conscience: Participant Media's Social Action Campaign and 'The Beaver' MD Lloyd I. Sederer 2011

Participant's track record has been uneven over the years.

For the studio behind 'Waiting for Superman,' movies are a tool for change Ann Hornaday 2010

As for Participant's second bottom line of social impact, the company's influence has been palpable across a range of issues -- largely because Participant spends at least a year before a movie comes out creating partnerships with the nongovernmental organizations that will be its natural advisers, audience and word-of-mouth advocates.

For the studio behind 'Waiting for Superman,' movies are a tool for change Ann Hornaday 2010

IMALIVE is the newly launched internet embodiment of their 1-800-SUICIDE line; it is this online, live crisis network that is part of Participant's social action campaign.

Lloyd I. Sederer, MD: Company with a Conscience: Participant Media's Social Action Campaign and 'The Beaver' MD Lloyd I. Sederer 2011

Click on the picture to take it to the Participant's page.

Spring Fling 2007 Roundup-Part I Cardamom 2007

The deal means that Summit will distribute up to four of Participant's films a year and collect a distribution fee, which is typically between 8% and 12% of a film's gross.

Summit Strikes Deal With Participant Media 2009