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BET to air
critically acclaimed 'TEN9EIGHT' documentary Sunday, Feb. 7
(February 4, 2010) 50 Eggs Films today announced that BET and CENTRIC will broadcast the production company's newest film, TEN9EIGHT: Shoot for the Moon, on Super Bowl Sunday, February 7 at noon and February 8 at 8pm, respectively, as part of their special Black History Month programming. Throughout the month, BET and CENTRIC will pay homage to the remarkable accomplishments of African Americans during Black History Month with a superb lineup of thought-provoking films and compelling original programming. This exciting phase of the film's outreach follows a successful theatrical release in eight markets in partnership with AMC Entertainment. Critics called the film "inspiring... should be compulsory viewing in high schools around the country" (Lael Lowenstein, Variety), "very well made" (Mike Hale, The New York Times), "important," (Marshall Fine, Huffington Post), "gripping" (Nancy Colasurdo, FoxBusiness.com), "balanced with a raw truth telling" (Daryle Lockhart, The Black Box Office), "uplifting" (Siobhan O'Connor, GOOD Magazine), and "simply marvelous" (Curt Schleier, Film Soundoff). TEN9EIGHT, which is produced and directed by award winning filmmaker, Mary Mazzio, chronicles the inspirational stories of several teens from low-income communities, many of whom are on the bubble -- on the verge of dropping out, joining a gang, or worse. But then – sometimes by happenstance - these students enroll in a course at school - an innovative program that teaches these students how to become entrepreneurs. They learn how to read a balance sheet. And how to start a business. 24,000 of these students, from Harlem to Compton (and all points in between) then enter a nationwide business plan competition run by the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE). And what they learn along the way profoundly changes their lives and destinies. TEN9EIGHT, whose title refers to the fact that every nine seconds a kid drops out of a U.S. high school, is especially timely in the midst of two simultaneous crises: an economic recession, in which entrepreneurship skills are especially valuable, and a dropout crisis, in which ways must be found to engage youth. BET first discovered TEN9EIGHT during a search for programming for Viacom's "Get Schooled" project, a ground-breaking initiative to help address America's public education crisis. "Get Schooled" is dedicated to identifying sustainable and effective approaches that will increase high school and college graduation rates, improve postsecondary readiness and promote the fundamental importance of education. "BET airing the film during Black History Month was a natural fit," said Barbara Zaneri, EVP of Programming Strategy, Scheduling and Acquisitions for BET. "TEN9EIGHT is a story of inspiration. It shows that anything is possible when someone is given the right opportunity and the help to achieve. BET viewers tell us they are looking for hope. This film gives a great view of the future." Concurrently, Scholastic, the global children's publishing, education and media company, will be publishing a companion book to the film, Teen Business Blasts Off, which will be made available through their book clubs to students and teachers nationwide. "The inspirational message of the film presented a unique opportunity for Scholastic Book Clubs to publish a companion book specifically for students in classrooms across America," said Judy Newman, President of Scholastic Book Clubs and E-Commerce. "TEN9EIGHT shows that a combination of hard work, perseverance, passion, and hope can help all students achieve their dreams. Scholastic Book Clubs' mission is to help all kids learn to love reading, and we hope that students across America read this motivational book, stay in school, and fulfill their potential." TEN9EIGHT features the inspirational stories of 35 teenage finalists who arrive in New York City for a grueling day of presentations in NFTE's national competition in front of some of the nation's most prominent business leaders, including Arthur Blank, founder of Home Depot; Tom Scott, co-founder of Nantucket Nectars; Ralph Schlosstein, co-founder of BlackRock; Wyc Grousbeck, owner of the Boston Celtics, and Kay Koplovitz, co-founder of USA Network. The case of Rodney Walker, a finalist in the competition and the narrator of the film, is perhaps the best example. He was put into the foster care system at the age of five – along with his 10 brothers and sisters – and ended up essentially homeless on the streets of Chicago. Rather than joining his brothers in gangs or jail, Rodney was able to forge a better future for himself by learning how to start his own business. Today, he is on the Dean's List at Morehouse College. "This was a thrilling documentary film to produce," adds Mary Mazzio, writer and director of TEN9EIGHT. "Its message is important for a nation in which 1.2 million students drop out each year. I am both honored and delighted to be entering the next phase of our roll-out with BET airing the film and Scholastic publishing a companion book. Our goal is simple – to reach as many kids as possible. If this project inspires a single kid to stay in school, then we have all won." Go to Target Market News homepage RECENT STORIES JET magazine unveils new logo, features and brand strategy Boost Mobile debuts its first Super Bowl commercial using a bit of sports nostalgia AT&T debuts 28 Days campaign with Web site, events for Black History Month Cable industry marks Black History Month with "Black Experience on Demand" BET Networks will present celebrity concert and telethon for Haiti on Feb. 5 Essence Magazine launches yearlong celebration of its 40th anniversary Black Cable TV Ratings for Week of Jan. 18 - 24 Monday night becomes the new battleground for black cable viewers Harris Publications to launch 'Juicy,' a celebrity magazine for black women Black TV Ratings for Week of January 18 - 24 Fox network rides playoff football, 'Idol' to season's biggest ratings week BET Networks releases comprehensive study, 'African Americans Revealed' Sanders\Wingo agency names Trenzio Turner Senior Vice President and Partner Pine Sol stumbles in addressing one stereotype and blunders into another |
15th annual 'Buying Power of Black America' released  (January
19, 2010) Black consumers are responding to tighter economic
condition by focusing more of their spending on items and services
that improve their homes and lifestyle. That's one of the trends
revealed in the 15th annual report, "The Buying Power of Black
America," published by Target Market News. The report analyzes
spending for black households in 2008 and finds that
African-Americans...Story continued...  _________________________________________________________________________________________ |
