StudioPMG's "Challenge Walk MS Documentary" Lands Spot in Prestigious Newport Beach Film Festival

IRVINE, CA--(Marketwire -04/23/12)- A documentary film produced by digital marketing agency StudioPMG has been named an "Offical Selection" at the 2012 Newport Beach Film Festival (NBFF). The award-winning film, titled "Challenge Walk MS Documentary," will be screened at Islands Cinema 3 in Newport Beach, California on April 29, 2012 at 4:30 p.m. StudioPMG, a provider of digital marketing, mobile applications and marketing analytics solutions, developed the documentary to help its client, Acorda Therapeutics, increase awareness and research for Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

"Challenge Walk MS Documentary" is a 43-minute film about Team OptiMiStic, a group of seven women, five of whom have MS, who walk 50 miles in three days during the 2009 MS Challenge Walk. The documentary follows their progress from Carlsbad to San Diego, California, as they share their personal stories along the way. It was developed by StudioPMG as part of Acorda's "I Walk Because" campaign. Erica Wishner (Director, Consumer Communication and Outreach) and Maria Verastegui (Director, Creative Services) at Acorda developed the "I Walk Because" campaign to increase awareness for the Walk MS fundraising events and provide people with a place to share their Walk MS experience with others.

"We are very proud of this film," said Acorda's Creative Director, Maria Verastegui. "The stories told from the Team OptiMiStic members and from other participants throughout the filming of this journey were filled with incredible insight and emotion. The documentary reveals how teamwork and friendship can walk hand in hand to make a difference in countless lives."

"'Challenge Walk MS Documentary' provides an inspirational view of the trials and triumphs of people living with MS, all against the backdrop one of the most beautiful stretches of coast on Earth," added the film's co-director and StudioPMG's Executive Vice President, Joe McBride. "We are honored by the Newport Beach Film Festival recognition and excited that the motivational story of team optimistic will be shared with a wider audience."

In addition to its acceptance into the film festival, "Challenge Walk MS Documentary" has been honored with several film industry awards. Last year StudioPMG was awarded a Bronze Telly for the film in the documentary category. The Telly Awards honor the very best local, regional and cable TV commercials and programs, video and film productions, and web commercials, videos and films from around the world. StudioPMG also received an Accolade Award of Merit in the webisode category. The Accolades are a showcase for cinematic gems and unique voices. Awards go to those filmmakers, television producers, videographers and new media creators who demonstrate exceptional achievement in craft and creativity and produce fresh, standout productions.

More information about the Newport Beach Film Festival screening can be found at http://newportbeach.festivalgenius.com/2012/films/mswalk_davidrichmond_newportbeach2012. In addition to the live screening, the "Challenge Walk MS Documentary" documentary can also be viewed on the "I Walk Because" website at http://www.iwalkbecause.org/.

About StudioPMGStudioPMG is a full-service digital marketing agency that helps clients deliver the right message through the best channels at the perfect time. StudioPMG combines advanced interactive technology with compelling creative and medical animations to deliver experiences that build a connection between our clients' brands and their customers. By incorporating advanced analytics in brand experience, StudioPMG provides insights to enhance decision making and improve clients' sales and marketing performance. StudioPMG prides itself at finding just the right solution for even the most unusual challenges. With offices in Irvine, California, StudioPMG has a global list of customers that includes Bristol-Myers Squibb, Novartis, Astra Zeneca, Edwards Lifesciences, Boston Scientific, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Acorda Therapeutics, Kodak, Toyota, Lexus, and Merial Limited. To find out more about how StudioPMG can Activate Your Brand, please visit http://www.studiopmg.com, follow us on Twitter at @StudioPMG or engage with us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/studiopmg.

About AcordaAcorda Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on developing therapies that restore function and improve the lives of people with MS, spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions.

Acorda markets AMPYRA (dalfampridine) Extended Release Tablets, 10 mg, in the United States as a treatment to improve walking in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). This was demonstrated by an improvement in walking speed. AMPYRA is marketed outside the United States as FAMPYRA (prolonged-release fampridine tablets) by Biogen Idec under a licensing agreement from Acorda. AMPYRA and FAMPYRA are manufactured under license from Alkermes Pharma Ireland Limited.

Acorda is developing an industry-leading pipeline of novel neurological therapies. The Company is studying AMPYRA to improve a range of functional impairments caused by MS, as well as its use in other neurological conditions, including cerebral palsy and chronic stroke. In addition, Acorda is developing clinical stage compounds AC105 for acute treatment of spinal cord injury and GGF2 for treatment of heart failure. GGF2 is also being investigated in preclinical studies as a treatment for neurological conditions such as stroke and spinal cord injury. Additional preclinical programs include rHIgM22, a remyelinating monoclonal antibody for the treatment of MS, and chondroitinase, an enzyme that encourages nerve plasticity in spinal cord injury.

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StudioPMG's "Challenge Walk MS Documentary" Lands Spot in Prestigious Newport Beach Film Festival