BALTIMORE — Judges in American Public Television’s first PitchFest at Fall Marketplace Thursday selected two pledge programs in development to receive $75,000 to complete their productions.
Judges chose among four self-improvement titles and one education program. After each finalist gave a 7-minute presentation, the onstage panel selected Growing Bolder’s Launchpad to What’s Next for the grand prize. The show is from the producers of Growing Bolder, a lifestyle series for older adults on the Create multicast channel.
The 90-minute pledge special is built on 16-minute modules targeting viewers in the 50-plus demographic. Experts such as Deepak Chopra will address topics to “answer their concerns and fears and inspire healthy living,” said Bolder Broadcasting founder Marc Middleton during his pitch. Short videos will show individuals incorporating the advice into their lives. The modules can be used separately as digital shorts, he said.
“Essentially, it’s a TED Talk, an information summit and an educational seminar all rolled into one,” Middleton said.
As Middleton accepted a king-size check for $75,000, judge David Rubinsohn, APT director of syndication and pledge programming, said the presentation “hit the sweet spot of the PTV demographic, it’s beautifully produced, and it’s got a lot of potential.”
Another judge complimented the show’s modular approach. “I like being able to replace or update that content, seeing what works for different markets,” said Hilary Finkel Buxton, director of APT Exchange. “It’s a terrific idea.”
After the check presentation, APT President Cynthia Fenneman told the crowd: “But wait, there’s more!”
The vote totals were so close, she said, the panel decided to award another grant as well. That went to Make the Rest of Your Life the Best of Your Life from WHYY in Philadelphia.
“This teaches how to take ownership of your life so you can excel at whatever you do,” said presenter Suzanne Fiske, WHYY director of on-air development, during her pitch.
WHYY’s Suzanne Fiske and motivational speaker Jim Smith Jr. hold their check for “Make the Rest of Your Life the Best of Your Life.” Judges, left to right: Linda Taggart, Maryland Public TV; David Fournier, APT (who tracked votes); Hilary Finkel Buxton, APT; Eric Luskin, APT; Neal Hecker, Programming Service for Public TV; David Rubinsohn, APT; Cyndy Robbins, Vegas PBS; APT President Cynthia Fenneman; Lauren Mills, APT (another vote tracker)
“WHYY also believes it’s important that we have pledge program hosts who reflect the diverse communities that we serve,” Fiske said. The pitch included an appearance by program host Jim Smith Jr., an author and motivational speaker who is African-American.
Judge Linda Taggart, development VP at Maryland Public Television, said during the check presentation that she found Smith “very compelling.”
“And how can you resist that smile and that energy?” Buxton said.
Other finalists were Find Your Genius and Boost Your Brain: How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci from Incandescent Entertainment, presented by producer Dennis Allen; One Day University, Detroit Public Television, presented by EP Fred Nahhat; and Mom Hacks, Detroit Public Television, presented by National Production Manager Lauren Smith.