At the Close of a Turbulent Year, MassMutual Is Surfacing Stories of People Who Looked Out for Each Other

NEW YORK, Dec. 19 -- Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance, a life insurance company, issued the following news release:

Today, in an effort to change the conversation about the tumultuous year, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) launched a new film celebrating positive stories of 2017 that were overlooked or drowned out in the noise of the year's political divide, natural disasters, and other major tragedies.

The uplifting two-minute film features real families, communities, and strangers who reached out to help each other in 2017. People like the residents of a small Texas town who came together to support local Muslims after their mosque was burned by an arsonist and the group of Indiana bikers who escorted a bullied 11-year-old boy to school to help restore his confidence.

MassMutual reunited these people and had them stand shoulder-to-shoulder in the locations where their stories took place, and declare their commitment to each other by singing a rendition of the iconic song "I'll Stand By You." The song, and the film, echo MassMutual's brand point of view--that our lives are safer and more fulfilling when we depend on one another.

"As a brand, we want to inspire people to rely on each other. We hope that by uncovering some of the year's overlooked stories of mutuality, we'll inspire people to be there for each other no matter what the next year brings," said Jennifer Halloran, Head of Brand and Advertising at MassMutual.

The stories featured in the film are told in greater depth through a partnership with CNN's video storytelling company Great Big Story. The company's in-house brand studio Courageous produced six additional docu-style branded content videos that connect us all through the emotional and positive acts of these heroes. The videos will air on CNN and CNN Airport Network throughout the holiday season, across Great Big Story's digital and social footprint, as well as live online at MassMutual's TheUnsung.com.

"We're in the business of protecting people and securing their futures, and we want to encourage others to do the same for each other," added Halloran.