Ludacris to present first-ever Green Pencil

"As history has proven, the power of advertising can do more than just create awareness for a brand," said Mary Warlick, CEO of The One Club. "It can inspire. It can influence. It can even change the fortunes of a brand on a global scale. Just imagine what it could do for our planet. We are delighted that Chris Bridges, a popular singer and actor who has devoted himself to causes involving youth and the environment, will present The One Club's first Green Pencil award."

"During the past few years, The One Club has made a concerted effort to minimise its carbon footprint," added Kevin Swanepoel, president of The One Club. "In addition to reducing the number of printed materials, The One Club recycles all paper entries as well as all entry packing materials."

The Green Pencil is made from recycled glass to keep with the eco-friendly theme, tittot (one of Asia's leading contemporary glass art makers) crafted the award for The One Show.

Actor and singer

Chris "Ludacris" Bridges has achieved fame as an actor as well as being an internationally recognised singer. His most recent album release, "Release Therapy," won two Grammys in 2007 including Best Rap Album. The 28-year-old rapper put not only his experience as an artist into "Release Therapy," but also his experiences as the CEO of Disturbing Tha Peace Records, the founder of The Ludacris Foundation, and an actor in the Oscar-winning film Crash.

In his burgeoning film career, Bridges took home both a Screen Actor Guild Award and a Critics' Choice Award for his performance in Crash and won rave reviews for his appearance in NBC's Law & Order: SVU, a role he will reprise next year. His Ludacris Foundation continues to grow and has raised over half a million dollars towards helping kids to empower themselves. He performed at the Live Earth Concert, appeared in "Battleground Earth" (debut of the Planet Channel) and was recently named the winner of Hollywood Life's first Eco-friendly Celebrity Award.

In the fall of 2008, Bridges also appeared in Guy Ritchie's RockaRolla and Fox's Max Payne. 2009 will see the release of his new independent film Ball Don't Lie, as well as Lionsgate's Citizen's Game in September. He will also be releasing another album.

Centrepiece

The One Show honours excellence in print, television, radio, outdoor, innovative marketing, integrated branding and branded content. Every year, Gold, Silver and Bronze winners are announced.

This year, the One Show is the centrepiece of an ambitious festival celebrating all forms of creativity called "Creative Week NYC." The week's events take place in New York, 4 - 8 May, at several venues around the city and includes three awards shows honouring the year's best achievements in advertising, integrated branding and design, in addition to events devoted to digital, music, film and the fine arts.

For more, go to www.oneshow.org.