Category Archives: Television

Most Recent Press Release – Sony Movie Channel Pays Tribute to Ray Harryhausen

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

SONY MOVIE CHANNEL PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE LEGENDARY FILMMAKER RAY HARRYHAUSEN IN A SPECIAL AFTERNOON MARATHON, SATURDAY, MAY 11 

RAY HARRYHAUSEN: SPECIAL EFFECTS TITAN Documentary and Three SINBAD -Themed Movies Comprise the Marathon 

Also, the Documentary is Available on Sony Movie Channel’s VOD Platform All Month Long

RayTributeMarathon

CULVER CITY, Calif., May 8, 2013 – To pay tribute to the legendary Ray Harryhausen’s remarkable achievements, Sony Movie Channel has revised its schedule to include a special TV marathon, on Saturday, May 11, highlighting the filmmaker’s career. Harryhausen, who died yesterday at the age of 92, is renowned for his special effects innovations and as the inventor of stop motion animation.

On Saturday, May 11, Sony Movie Channel will be airing the definitive Ray Harryhausen documentary, RAY HARRYHAUSEN: SPECIAL EFFECTS TITAN, at 12:45 p.m. ET/9:45 a.m. PT. Following the documentary, Harryhausen fans will enjoy watching three SINBAD-focused films featuring Harryhausen’s special effects animation from Sony Pictures Entertainment’s library – THE 7TH VOYAGE OF SINBAD (airs at 2:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. PT); THE GOLDEN VOYAGE OF SINBAD (airs at 4:10 p.m. ET/1:10 PM PT) and SINBAD AND THE EYE OF THE TIGER (airs at 6:10 p.m. ET/3:10 p.m. PT). 

Additionally, SMC is recognizing Harryhausen’s award-winning career online, presenting an interactive web experience that features Harryhausen’s signature creatures, as well as specially produced content honoring him and his impressive body of work. That web experience can be found at SonyMovieChannel.com/ray. For those who are SMC subscribers, they will be able to watch the documentary online through May 31 by accessing that same web page.

Last month, Sony Movie Channel premiered the RAY HARRYHAUSEN: SPECIAL EFFECTS TITAN documentary on television for the first time in the U.S. The documentary, produced in 2011 by Frenetic Arts, in Paris, marks the first time that the Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation has provided unprecedented access to all aspects of his award-winning career, spanning his early days in Hollywood, to his 90th birthday celebration. 

RAY HARRYHAUSEN: SPECIAL EFFECTS TITAN was filmed over a 10-year period and features interviews and tributes from an illustrious list of acclaimed filmmakers who were inspired by his work. Directed by Gilles Penso, the documentary includes interviews with longtime admirers and Harryhausen fans that have been involved in some of the film industry’s biggest blockbuster hits.

With 16 movies to his credit, Harryhausen is known for pioneering numerous new techniques during his acclaimed filmmaking career. Not only was he a leader in armatured models and miniatures, but he also created a new type of stop-motion split-screen animation, known as “Dynamation.” His special effects budget for THE BEAST FROM 20,000 FATHOMS (1952) called for a more practical way of model interaction and, as such, Harryhausen developed a simple but effective method involving split-screens and a projector – hence, “Dynamation” was born.

In addition to innovating new filming practices, Harryhausen is credited with creating the physical looks and movements of dinosaurs, alien figures and creatures in motion pictures. Many producers and directors today still base their prehistoric creatures and beasts, as well as alien objects like flying saucers and visitors from other planets, on Harryhausen’s characters, models and drawings. His influence in genre filmmaking is still very prevalent today – over five decades later. 

Sony Movie Channel is on Channel 563 on DIRECTV; Channel 386 on DISH and Channel 1791 on AT&T U-Verse.

 

Sony Movie Channel Recognized for its Website Digital Enhancements

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Super proud of one of my client’s getting recognized by Cynopsis: Digital as being the website of the day! Go Sony Movie Channel!

Screen Shot 2013-01-30 at 10.15.46 AM

Here was the press release to go along with it.

SONY MOVIE CHANNEL CELEBRATES THE EARLY FILMS OF JACK NICHOLSON FRIDAY NIGHTS IN FEBRUARY WITH AN INTERACTIVE PHOTO BOOK AND A ‘SCRIPT TO SCREEN EXPERIENCE’ FACEBOOK APP

App and Tablet-Friendly Digital Book Launch January 30

NicholsonBookScreenshot

CULVER CITY, Calif., January 29, 2013 – Throughout the month of February, Sony Movie Channel (SMC) is featuring the early films of the Oscar® Award-winning actor Jack Nicholson, as part of its Friday Features franchise. Friday Features showcases blockbuster favorites, uncut and uncensored, starting at 10:00 PM E | 7:00 PM P every Friday night. The Nicholson salute features eight of his films from 1969 to 1975, including CHINATOWN and A SAFE PLACE, which hasn’t been broadcast in over a decade.

SMC is enhancing the experience of these priceless Nicholson gems by providing an interactive digital photo book of production stills and trivia from some of his early films, including CHINATOWN, DRIVE, HE SAID, EASY RIDER, THE FORTUNE, THE KING OF MARVIN GARDENS, THE LAST DETAIL, THE PASSENGER, THE TWO JAKES, FIVE EASY PIECES and A SAFE PLACE. The tablet-friendly photo album will be available on Sony Movie Channel’s website from Jan. 30 to Feb. 28 at sonymoviechannel.com/jack.

The Channel is also providing another bonus — a “Script to Screen Experience” Facebook application. The app is launching in conjunction with EASY RIDER and FIVE EASY PIECES, which kick off the Nicholson tribute on February 1. Users can visit Sony Movie Channel’s Facebook page (Facebook.com/SonyMovieChannel) starting Jan. 30 and “Like” it to view scenes pulled from the actual script alongside the corresponding clip from the movie. This interactive comparison includes two scenes from each movie, and will be available through the end of February. 

The complete Friday Features schedule for February includes: (All Times are Eastern)

  • ·       February 1 –

EASY RIDER (1969, dir. by Dennis Hopper – 10:00 PM & 1:25 AM) – EASY RIDER chronicles the search for freedom by two motorcycle-riding drifters who meet up with an alcoholic lawyer in a southern jail. Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper and Jack Nicholson star.

FIVE EASY PIECES (1970, dir. by Bob Rafelson – 11:40 PM & 3:05 AM) – This film is about a restless musician who learns you can never go home again when he visits his family for the first time in three years. Jack Nicholson, Karen Black and Susan Anspach star.

  • ·       February 8 –

DRIVE HE SAID (1971, dir. by Jack Nicholson – 8:30 PM & 1:30 AM) – Nicholson’s directorial debut is about basketball, draft dodging and sleeping with professors’ wives. The longhaired star of an Ohio College Team, can’t decide if he wants to turn pro or join his radical roommate, in bringing about a revolution. In the meantime, he’s content to carry on an affair with a faculty wife. Karen Black, William Tepper, Bruce Dern, Henry Jaglom and Cindy Williams star.

THE KING OF MARVIN GARDENS (1972, dir. by Bob Rafelson- 10:00 PM & 3:10 AM) - Jason Staebler is a dreamer who asks his brother, a radio personality from Philadelphia to help him build a paradise on a Pacific Island – yet another of his get-rich-quick schemes. But luck is against them both and the game ends badly – real life reduced to radio drama. Jack Nicholson, Bruce Dern, Ellen Burstyn and Scatman Crothers star.

A SAFE PLACE (1971, dir. by Henry Jaglom – 11:50 PM & 5:00 AM) - When a woman finds the loneliness and isolation of the present too difficult, she slips into the comfort of her memories. Gwen Welles, Dov Lawrence, Orson Welles, Tuesday Weld, Jack Nicholson and Philip Proctor star.

 ·       February 15 –

CHINATOWN (1974, dir. by Roman Polanski – 7:45 PM & 12:00 AM) - In 1937, a Los Angeles private detective takes on a simple case and burrows into it until it leads to murder and public scandal. Faye Dunaway, John Huston, Jack Nicholson and Perry Lopez star.

THE LAST DETAIL (1973, dir. by Hal Ashby – 10:00 PM & 2:20 AM) – Jack Nicholson stars as a Navy Chaser who decides to show his callow young prisoner (Randy Quaid) one last good time before delivering him to the brig. Screenplay by Robert Towne (Chinatown). Nicholson, Otis Young, Quaid, Clifton James and Carol Kane star.

  • ·       February 22 –

THE PASSENGER (1975, dir. by Michelangelo Antonioni – 7:45 PM & 11:30 PM) – A burned-out journalist assumes the identity of a dead man and embarks on a dangerous charade, including meetings with gun runners and an affair with a mysterious young woman. Jack Nicholson, Maria Schneider, Jenny Runacre, Ian Hendry and Steven Berkoff star.

THE FORTUNE (1975, dir. by Mike Nichols – 10:00 PM & 1:45 AM) – This hilarious comedy is about a pair of con artists who try to swindle a woman out of her family fortune. The two scoundrels mount several inept attempts to murder her but ultimately discover that the real treasure is not the money but the girl. Warren Beatty, Scatman Crothers, Stockard Channing and Jack Nicholson star.

In honor of the Academy Awards®, SMC is devoting its entire programming schedule on Sunday, February 24 to the male actor with the most Oscar® acting nominations ever – Jack Nicholson. The network plans to repeat the entire schedule of movies above and add in THE TWO JAKES for this marathon treat. For specific times, please visit SMC’s website at sonymoviechannel.com/schedule.

In addition to Friday Features, SMC is profiling Academy Award®-recognized films throughout the month as well as movies that celebrate Black History Month. This and more is available from SMC in February, including giving football-averse viewers plenty of other options on February 3.

 About Sony Movie Channel

Sony Movie Channel is the first U.S. multi-platform television network from Sony Pictures Television created specifically for the Hollywood movie fan. Offering uncut and theatrical releases in stunning high definition, Sony Movie Channel showcases titles from Sony Pictures’ vast library including award-winning features, cult favorites, family comedies and gripping dramas. Programming is selected from more than 3,500 Sony Pictures films, which collectively have received 184 Academy Awards® including 12 for Best Picture. Sony Movie Channel is available on DISH Network, DIRECTV and AT&T U-Verse TV on linear as well as on authenticated VOD and online platforms. For more information, visit SonyMovieChannel.com, Facebook and/or Twitter @SonyMovieCh.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Company Headlines

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For those people who are around me on a regular basis they often hear me say the following statement: “The hardest PR to do is always your own.” This statement is so true and one that I have to remember myself.

With that, I want to share a bit about some of my recent accomplishments concerning some “fun” press mentions I’ve gotten for my clients. I had a wonderful few months assisting The Television Critics Association, National Geographic Channel’s “Chasing UFOs” and “Locked Up Abroad,” and the emerging cable network and VOD channel FEARnet.

I’ve been a consistent blogger up until recently when my daylight hours got a way from me — I’m sorry that I haven’t been sharing PR tips and social media tricks, but I’ve involved in garnering some signature work and learning more about my trade. I’ll share those insights with you soon, but for now here’s a quick re-cap of some of the strategies I’ve been a part of or ones that I created on my client’s behalf.

CableFAX and Chasing UFOs Interview

 

NATGEOTV’s USA Today Front Page Media Break on “Chasing UFOs”

FEARnet full-length feature in Broadcasting & Cable

2012 TELEVISION CRITICS ASSOCIATION AWARD NOMINEES

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I am the Media Strategist for The Television Critics Association.

THE TELEVISION CRITICS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES

2012 TCA AWARDS NOMINEES

TCA Program of the Year Nominees Represent Diverse Genres From Period Piece “Downton Abbey” and Fantasy Adventure “Game of Thrones” to Arresting Dramas “Breaking Bad,” “Homeland” and “Mad Men”   

Critics Nominate Stellar Personalities for Career Achievement Award, Including Dick Clark, Andy Griffith, David Letterman, Regis Philbin and William Shatner 

The 28th Annual TCA Awards will be Presented on Saturday, July 28 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel

LOS ANGELES (June 7, 2012) – The Television Critics Association (TCA), a media organization with more than 200 professional TV critics and journalists from the United States and Canada, today announced nominations for its 2012 TCA Awards.  The 2012 TCA Awards recognize outstanding television programming in the 2011-2012 season, honoring both actors and producers in a variety of categories including news and information, youth, reality, drama and comedy achievements.

The winners of the 28th Annual TCA Awards will be announced at the invitation-only presentation on Saturday, July 28, 2012, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, as part of the group’s bi-annual industry conference.

The nominations for current programming are spread across all four broadcast networks — ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox — PBS, and 13 cable networks. HBO leads the way with eight nominations; AMC has six; NBC and PBS each have five; and CBS and FX each have four.

The nominees include a number of past winners, including Bryan Cranston, Jon Hamm, Jim Parsons and shows ranging from “Mad Men” to “Game of Thrones” and “The Daily Show” to “The Big Bang Theory.”

But there are also a number of first-time nominees, including “Homeland” and its star, Claire Danes, and “Girls” and its creator/star, Lena Dunham.

“Homeland” and “Girls” join “New Girl,” “Revenge” and “Smash” as nominees for Outstanding New Program.

“These nominees represent the highest quality that television had to offer in the past year,” said TCA President Candace Havens. “Our more than 200 members chose these people and programs as the best of the best.”

In addition to recognizing the year’s finest programming, the TCA Awards bestow a Heritage Award trophy to one long-standing program that has culturally or socially impacted society. This year, the TCA members have nominated some of TV’s most memorable series with NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” ABC’s “Lost,” NBC’s “Cheers,” NBC’s “Star Trek” and ABC’s “Twin Peaks” as nominees in this eminent category.

The organization also presents a Career Achievement Award to an individual who has influenced television through his work on the small screen. Nominees include TV host/producer Dick Clark (“American Bandstand”), late-night talk show host David Letterman (“Late Show with David Letterman”), actor William Shatner (“Star Trek”), actor Andy Griffith (“The Andy Griffith Show”) and TV host Regis Philbin (“Regis and Kelly”).

Below is the complete list of the 2012 Television Critics Association nominees.

Individual Achievement in Drama

  1. Bryan Cranston (“Breaking Bad,” AMC)
  2. Claire Danes (“Homeland,” Showtime)
  3. Peter Dinklage (“Game of Thrones,” HBO)
  4. Jon Hamm (“Mad Men,” AMC)
  5. Jessica Lange (“American Horror Story,” FX)

Individual Achievement in Comedy

  1. Louis C.K. (“Louie,” FX)
  2. Lena Dunham (“Girls,” HBO)
  3. Julia Louis-Dreyfus (“Veep,” HBO)
  4. Jim Parsons (“The Big Bang Theory,” CBS)
  5. Amy Poehler (“Parks and Recreation,” NBC)

Outstanding Achievement in News and Information

  1. “Anderson Cooper 360” (CNN)
  2. “The Daily Show” (Comedy Central)
  3. “Frontline” (PBS)
  4. “60 Minutes” (CBS)
  5. “The Rachel Maddow Show” (MSNBC)

Outstanding Achievement in Reality Programming

  1. “The Amazing Race” (CBS)
  2. “Dancing with the Stars” (ABC)
  3. “The Glee Project” (Oxygen)
  4. “So You Think You Can Dance” (Fox)
  5. “The Voice” (NBC)

Outstanding Achievement in Youth Programming

  1.  “iCarly” (Nickelodeon)
  2. “Phineas and Ferb” (Disney)
  3.  “Sesame Street” (PBS)
  4. “Switched at Birth” (ABC Family)
  5. “Yo Gabba Gabba” (Nick Jr.)

Outstanding New Program

  1. “Girls” (HBO)
  2. “Homeland” (Showtime)
  3. “New Girl” (Fox)
  4. “Revenge” (ABC)
  5. “Smash” (NBC)

Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials

  1. “Downton Abbey: Masterpiece” (PBS)
  2. “Game Change” (HBO)
  3. “Hatfields & McCoys” (History)
  4. “Hemingway & Gellhorn” (HBO)
  5. “Sherlock: Masterpiece” (PBS)

Outstanding Achievement in Drama

  1. “Breaking Bad” (AMC)
  2. “Game of Thrones” (HBO)
  3. “Homeland” (Showtime)
  4. “Justified” (FX)
  5. “Mad Men” (AMC)

Outstanding Achievement in Comedy

  1. “The Big Bang Theory” (CBS)
  2. “Community” (NBC)
  3. “Louie” (FX)
  4. “Modern Family” (ABC)
  5. “Parks and Recreation” (NBC)

Career Achievement Award

  1. Dick Clark
  2. Andy Griffith
  3. David Letterman
  4. Regis Philbin
  5. William Shatner

Heritage Award

  1. “Cheers” (NBC)
  2. “Lost” (ABC)
  3. “Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
  4. “Star Trek” (NBC)
  5. “Twin Peaks” (ABC)

Program of the Year

  1. “Breaking Bad” (AMC)
  2. “Game of Thrones” (HBO)
  3. “Homeland” (Showtime)
  4. “Mad Men” (AMC)
  5. “Downton Abbey: Masterpiece” (PBS)

ABOUT THE TELEVISION CRITICS ASSOCIATION

The Television Critics Association represents more than 200 journalists writing about television for print and online outlets in the United States and Canada. For 28 years the TCA has honored outstanding achievement in television and enduring contributions to the medium’s heritage through the TCA Awards.  Membership in the Television Critics Association is open to full-time TV writers at newspapers, magazines, trade publications, news wire services, news syndicates, and text-based Internet news organizations. For additional information on the TCA, please visit www.tvcritics.org. The TCA is also represented on Facebook and Twitter. To follow the Summer TCA on twitter, tweets are represented with the hashtag #TCAs12.

 

-TCA-

Social Media Home Runs for Press Conferences

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Press Tip of the Day - Use Flickr as your Consumer Photo Press Room

The Winter Television Critics Association Press Tour is in session and as such, major media corporations are presenting their new mid-season programming and providing re-caps of their performances by their top executives.

As of this writing, two corporations have been in house – PBS and NBC.  And with those two, I have found a couple of highlights regarding great press conference tools that I thought were brilliantly used.

FLICKR – PBS utilized Flickr as its Official Photo Press Room. They posted photos immediately after each session and because it was on the Flickr platform, bloggers could easily share these photos on their Facebook walls and twitter feeds. I LOVED THIS FEATURE and highly recommend other agencies consider using it when organizing press conferences. AWESOMENESS. Kudos to great PR work PBS.

Tag logos with Facebook calls to action and Twitter Account Names

LOGOS/GRAPHICS - I absolutely love how NBC is tagging each on-screen graphic of its shows with the respective twitter handle as well as  a call to action to “Like” the show on Facebook. Great social branding! Hat’s off to NBC for remembering these touches which aren’t small and have a large impact.

 

A New You In 2012

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                                                      Lot’s to Celebrate About

I’m Super Excited about 2012. Why? Because of one word “New.”  Throw out everything old and usher in everything New.

Who doesn’t love new things right? Is there anything better than a new car or new house. Or a new dress or a new love or a new baby! New is awesome, don’t you agree. With that, I’ve been spending time looking at what “newness” I can bring to my life and I highly recommend this practice for you too. These aren’t necessarily resolutions, but certainly can be, the choice is up to you.

My “New” Plan includes the following To Do Items.

(1) New Online Branding – With so many social platforms that have my image attached, I’ve been updating each one with a current image of who I am. When I worked in TV, the networks always re-freshed their logos once a year to energize the viewers. Well, the same principle applies here in regards to social photos.

(2) About Me – Several “Blogworld” Conference sessions pointed out that the most overlooked section of our online branding dealt with the “About Us” section of our profiles. Have you read how you are describing yourself on LinkedIn, twitter and Google lately? If not, go back in and do some updating. Let us know about some of your recent hobbies and other such news.

(3) New Job – I’m going to actively pursue a new fulltime corporate job, but, this time I’ve opened my options to include areas that are “new” and will be stretching. I’m so excited to see what transpires as I walk down new paths.

(4) A “New” Attitude – Instead of automatically waiting for the other shoe to drop, I’m going to drink from my half full glass. Yep, I’ve read enough studies lately that prove that individuals who have life-altering events handle them so much better with a positive outlook. Pessimism was so 2011…Optimism is what’s in store for me in 2012.  Here’s what I mean.

  • I will land a new job.
  • I will lose weight.
  • I will continue to exercise.
  • I will continue to take the high road.
  • I will ask for forgiveness and forgive others.
  • I will find love and exude it to others.
  • I will continue to stretch myself and continue to learn new things.

Being Nice To Yourself

(5). I will look for opportunities to “Be Good To Myself.” We are always so hard on ourselves and well, this year, I’m going to be more mindful of what my body and mind are really saying to me and heed that advice. What does this look like? Below are some samples of what I mean.

  • I’ve consolidated my blogs down from four to two now. It was just too hard for me to keep up producing content for each one – so I’m making it easier for myself. And it still is just as effective.
  • I’m reaching out to friends/family whom I cherish and being proactive in staying in touch.
  • I’m looking at groups and clubs in my life and assessing which ones I enjoy and learn from and then spending less time with the others.
  • I’m realizing that life is short and thus, I am not procrastinating on planning things that I want to do.
  • I’m trusting God and putting all worry in His hands. And as such, I’m freeing myself up to enjoy more moments and be the person He wants me to be.

That’s just a quick glance at what “newness” I hope to achieve. I do hope that I’m able to live up to at least half of them…for it sure would be great to enjoy life to its fullest.

I’d love to hear what new things you’re bringing into the “New” Year.

Happy New Year,

Cindy

 

 

 

 

 

Automotive TV Programming

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Audi gets Modern -- ABC/Richard Foreman

What the heck! I thought I was watching television programs, however, as of late, I’ve been mistaken. What I thought were TV shows actually were full-sized car commercials.  And this practice is driving me crazy!

Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve learned about Ford’s Lommel Proving Ground in Belgium by watching CBS’ “The Amazing Race.” I saw works of art created from Fiat 500 parts on Bravo TV’s “Work of Art.” I watched Bravo’s “Top Chef: Texas” contestants get to know each other better on a car trip in Toyota Siennas and on ABC’s “Modern Family,” the Audi A8 is the car that patriarch, Jay Pritchett (Ed O’Neill) drives.

Are car manufacturers getting smarter about advertising and/or television companies getting dumber about integrated content?

My answer to that question is car makers and TV companies both win in this new form of content integration. Consumers, as usual, are on the losing end.

Ford and "The Amazing Race" Segment of Fun

Do you think that those of us who watched Ford’s Mustang challenge on “The Amazing Race,” didn’t for one minute not realize what a great commercial that was? I have to admit it was an entertaining segment and it was interesting to see this exclusive test track…but the whole time I watched it I knew it was also a commercial message. A very clever and I suppose an expensive one too. Here’s a clip of it so you can see for yourself.

Two years ago the state of the American Auto Industry was dire. Now, it appears that the Industy has full wallets again and is rebounding nicely, so much so that they now own the TV airwaves! Talk about a 360 degree flip. It’s the media companies now who can’t bring in the dough that they used to due to new distribution platforms. They now NEED advertisers like car manufacturers to help them pay their bills.

Will it pay off? I guess the proof is at the dealerships.  Are more people buying Audi’s because they want the car Jay drives? Are people buying Fiat’s because they liked the car parts in “Work of Art?”

At the end of the day, it is all about eyeballs. And by a Toyota Sienna being seen on “Top Chef” episode is probably a larger audience that would see a regular commercial that gets played over and over and over that our minds just tune them out. For me personally, I am over that Prius holiday commerical-I’ve seen it too many times for my own good and I’m a Prius driver.

At the end of the day – WE’RE ON TO YOU TV COMPANIES AND CAR MAKERS! Let’s hope that this trend doesn’t continue for it will wreck great shows like BBC’s “Top Gear,” a true car show. I mean, after a while, they all will start to look the same.

I’d love to hear your thoughts if you’ve noticed the uptick in TV car integration and what you think about it all.

Off to watch more Car TV Programming. How about you?

Cindy

YouTube Will Soon Give Cable a Run for its Money

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Will TV Sets Be Put Out To The Pasture? Flickr Credit: Jonny Baker

“Honey, what’s on YouTube tonight?”

It’s hard to believe that question will soon be asked nightly in homes across the globe, isn’t it? Never in my day did I think another content platform would be born that allowed newcomers with the accessibility of something that normally only was available to those with extensive film pedigrees. But, now Google Inc’s. YouTube video service is taking on Hollywood and people are getting the chance to become mainstream or um webstream producers.

Should it Now be Called HollyTube?

In case you didn’t get a chance to read yesterday’s Wall St. Journal article on this matter, YouTube is investing more than $100 million in cash advances (glad someone has that kind of cash!) to have content produced exclusively for the video service.  One of the first content producers who has signed on is Tony Hawk, the skateboarding wunderkind. According to the article, deals are also being worked out with Warner Bros. and News Corp.’s ShineReveille Studio.

The goal for Google is to go after substancial advertising dollars for this fare. Advertisers in the past had been hesitant to sponsor YouTube videos due to the fact of how low quality they were produced and the content.  By YouTube producing “quality” content and building its own channels, the company hopes to take on the cable and broadcast TV industry.

That Darn Lag

No matter how many channels YouTube implements, the one thing that will absolutely keep me from watching is that darn lag time that I experience almost every time I watch something on YouTube via my computers.  You know what I mean? I can’t stand how it stops and starts as it renders. Ugh!

Now, if they invent something to get that fixed..then I might be in.  And soon may checking my local YouTube listings.

How about you? Will you watch YouTube’s soon to be released channels?

 

CW’s HART OF DIXIE Brings Comfort to Monday Nights

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On behalf of Klout Perks, I was offered the opportunity to review “Hart of Dixie,” a new The CW series starring Rachel Bilson formerly of “The OC.” This is the first time in my career that I have been eligible to review a television program and I’m thrilled to finally be able to do so.  I am an entertainment publicist by trade and as such, I usually represent networks, program, producers, journalists and talent. This role normally precludes me from having an objective voice. However, now through Klout Perks and The CW, they are providing certain bloggers with the chance to critique and spread the news about their programming.  (Full Disclosure: I am not affiliated with anyone associated with this program and/or anyone or an organization where it would be considered a conflict of interest. This review represents my own opinion for cindyronzoni.com.)

Now with that out of the way -let’s get on to to the review.

  • TV Show: Hart of Dixie
  • Network: The CW
  • Premiere Date: September 26 at 9 PM ET/PT
  • Ronzoni Rating: 2.5 out of a 5 Star Rating (Meh)

If you closed your eyes and heard the audio dialogue from the Hart of Dixie, you would definitely be able to identify its formula for it is not new. Sadly, Hart of Dixie is a drama series derivative of so many others like One Tree Hill, Hellcats, Life Unexpected and The OC. It’s a formula that works and entertains a female audience by providing a sweet story of an underdog female heroine who’s thrust into facing the challenges of moving to a small home town.

In this case, the fish is Rachel Bilson, formerly of Fox’s The OC, who stars as the series main character Dr. Zoe Hart, a fast-talking, fashion-minded, in shape New Yorker. Dr. Hart had her “heart” set on a earning a prestigious New York hospital fellowship, but, when that dream fell through, she heeded her professor’s advice to work on her bedside manner. As a desperate measure to get out of town and work on her patient etiquette, she latches onto a request from Dr. Harley Wilkes (guest star Nicholas Pryor), to join his small time medical practice in Bluebell, Alabama.

In the pilot episode, Executive Producer Josh Schwartz sets the stage for the new show by introducing all key members of the cast and explaining the storyline. Although, there is nothing new under the sun with the story telling, the show is well acted and the pilot is sweet to watch despite its predictability.

"Gumbo & Glory"-- Pictured (L-R) Rachel Bilson as Dr. Zoe Hart and Scott Porter as George Tucker in HART OF DIXIE on THE CW. Photo Credit: Michael Yarish /The CW&©2011 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved

One of best surprises of the show was the casting of Scott Porter as the local love interest for Dr. Hart. Porter was an original cast member on Friday Night Lights and his fans will be pleased that he is a part of weekly television once again. He, as George Tucker, and Bilson, as Dr. Hart, are definitely the strong points of the show and both hook you quickly into feeling the love sparks between them.

If you happen to enjoy watching soap operas or reading romance novels, then Hart of Dixie is definitely your cup of tea on Monday nights this fall.

In case you are curious about the show, here’s a preview clip for your enjoyment.

What do you think? Are you going to watch its premiere? Do tell.

Best,

Cindy

 

Can Charlie Get Back His Sheen?

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Charlie is Still Driving His Messaging, But Now in a Good Way Credit: Ian White

Can you “win” too much?

In the case of Charlie Sheen, he’s gulping a tall glass of mea culpa and eating humble pie right now for he’s done just that – except his winning wasn’t that, it was the opposite…losing. And now after not being able to handle being fired from a $1.2 million dollar a week paycheck on CBS’ “Two and a Half Men,” he is trying to mop up after himself and doing a PR about-face.

Do you think Charlie will be able to rebound after his unstable recent past?

I know I don’t need to explain Charlie Sheen’s predicament and what led him to start his own crisis management. You all are too well aware of his podcasts, tweets, live shows and contentious battles with his former employers, Warner Bros. TV.

However, all of a sudden Sheen has apparently seen the light. I don’t know where and when the light bulb went off and he started realizing that he was a tornado that was destroying everything and everyone in his path. But, I’m glad he did and I’m happy that he’s trying to make amends wherever and whenever possible.

As a PR practitioner, Charlie Sheen has been an amazing case study to follow. From being a train wreck taking his own PR into his own hands last March, to now, publicly pleading for forgiveness, we all can learn from his mistakes. Sheen is on the Good Ship Lollipop PR train doing whatever he can to be self-deprecating about his past and trying to move forward so he can be perceived as a stable employee, father, son and well, human being. But is that enough?

From firing his longtime publicist early last year, he’s now employed one once again.  And although, he was allowed to be a presenter at the Emmys for ratings, you have admit that it was smart strategy to use that platform to publicly apologize and try to save your face. Can you think of another venue that would allow you to be in front of over 12 million viewers in one swoop?

PR WHIRLWIND

The PR profession is alive and well and in full operation with the triad surrounding Sheen. Not only is Sheen trying to stay in the message, publicists for “Two and a Half Men” are trying to keep their message in the trend whirlwind as well. For no matter how you slice it, when Sheen speaks, the media and public listen. When someone from “Two and A Half Men” speaks…they have to speak loader to get noticed if Sheen is not recognized. He is a news magnet.

With that, have you noticed Ashton Kutcher making the rounds to talk shows? Did you see Jon Cryer get a star on the Walk of Fame? CBS’ PR team is on high alert to succeed this year without Sheen.

Who will get the last laugh? Well, if you tuned into Comedy Central’s Roast of Charlie Sheen Monday night  (another perfectly timed appearance), Charlie would tell you he’s already won.

And who could argue that! He’s now allegedly getting a $25 million settlement and doesn’t have a financial worry in the world. However, with this new Charlie we are seeing, he has a conscious and an awareness that his behavior was in poor judgement. I just hope he starts the healing process toward finding that peace that passes all understanding.

Time does heal all wounds…and the viewing public will come around once he consistently proves that he on the stable train to wellness. That’s the best PR he can buy.

Don’t take my word for it. Here’s Charlie’s view from his recent roast.

Roast of Charlie Sheen Mon, Sept 19 10/9c
Charlie Sheen – Charlie on Mars
www.comedycentral.com
Comedy Central Funny TV Shows Roast of Charlie Sheen

 

 

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