/24-7PressRelease/ - VALHALLA, NY, August 01, 2008 - A TV show about minor league baseball is moving from cable TV to the web. Along with the change of venue, the show is searching seeking sponsorship through an eBay auction.
"Playing for Peanuts" producer John Fitzgerald says moving the show to the web made perfect sense.
"The web will provide more in the way of feedback and word of mouth promotion," explains Fitzgerald. "Viewers can share clips, leave comments and purchase the DVD with one click. That kind of interaction is critical to the success of a show like Playing for Peanuts."
"Playing for Peanuts" chronicles a year in the life of the South Georgia Peanuts of the independent South Coast League. The TV series premiered in May 2008 on regional sports networks in nine regional markets. The series averaged 150,000 viewers per week, across all markets.
"The show is a hybrid - part documentary, part reality TV," explains Fitzgerald. "I think we can build on our cable TV success because genre isn't as important online. If people like the story, they will pass videos to their friends."
Fitzgerald plans to utilize several strategies and services to help the show receive the widest possible audience. Each episode will be split into four segments - each segment will be made available on popular video sharing websites. Viewers can also download full-length episodes through HungryFlix.com.
In addition to a new online distribution strategy, Fitzgerald is seeking a sponsor through an eBay auction. The winner of the sponsorship auction will be the exclusive web sponsor of Episode #1. The winner will have their brand integrated into the first episode, including pre- and post-roll ads on segments and full-length episodes.
The winning sponsor will also have their company logo included on 1,000 "Dropcards" - gift cards that will be given away at minor league games in late August. The Dropcard recipient will be able to enter an online code to receive a free episode download.
"I think the gift cards will bring the show to baseball fans who might not be inclined to look online for a TV show," says Fitzgerald. "We are giving fans a tangible, collectible card that will translate into increased awareness of the show and the show's sponsor."
ABOUT JOHN FITZGERALD
John Fitzgerald produced and directed "The Emerald Diamond" in 2006. The 90-minute documentary chronicles the history of Ireland's National Baseball Team. "The Emerald Diamond" was featured in The New York Times, New York Post and National Public Radio. It was screened in theaters in 30 US cities and received the Critic's Choice Award at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.
ABOUT PLAYING FOR PEANUTS
For more information on "Playing for Peanuts," contact John Fitzgerald at 914-316-2056 or visit http://www.playingforpeanuts.com
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