'Zombie Dad' Animates Unique Multiplatform Program

MINNEAPOLIS, July 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Theatre for Children (NTC) based in Minneapolis has engaged Trifecta Entertainment to handle all advertising and media sponsorship opportunities for M@dAbout, a program that targets tweens, teens and their parents. This unique offering is built on three powerful platforms: a national, in-school live theatre tour to markets of a sponsor's choice, an educational and informative (E/I) television series on commercial stations around the country and a syndicated website with targeted mobile applications. M@dAbout delivers timely messages on issues that matter most to kids and their families such as nutrition, health and fitness, the environment and peer pressure – all in an edgy, entertaining format. M@dAbout addresses these issues with wit and humor as evidenced by "George, the Zombie Dad" as he tries to teach his (still) human family about personal finances. It's Saturday Night Live meets The Electric Company!

"The M@dAbout concept is a very novel approach," says Michael Daraio, President and Partner of Trifecta Entertainment. "This is the first cross-platform program that I've ever seen that effectively incorporates a live performance element into the media mix – at scale. It gives a sponsor a unique ability to truly promote its message across diverse yet complimentary mediums."

NTC comedy troupes will perform up to 6,000 live, sponsor-branded performances of M@dAbout at schools nationwide in the very same markets where the weekly TV series will air. Sponsor messaging will be cross-promoted and run in conjunction with a robust Internet presence. The M@dAbout live performances, on their own, will engage millions of students in schools with the sponsor's message.

"This is an innovative extension of the business model that we've pioneered and honed for over 30 years," relates NTC Founder and President, Ward Eames. "Our targeted web, mobile and social media components truly complement the live performance and weekly TV show, resulting in a tremendously valuable property."

Each live performance includes sponsor-branded curriculum for students, teachers and the school. In addition, NTC programs have historically generated significant PR for sponsors at the community level. "One of the key advantages for the station groups airing M@dAbout is the recognition they receive from their communities for helping to bring the live shows into their schools," says Eames.

M@dAbout will debut the week of September 6th. The show is now cleared in 85% of US TV Households and includes 38 of the top 40 markets under major station groups, such as Tribune, Sinclair, Newport, LIN, Cox, ACME and others. The weekly TV series will be seen in major markets including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, San Francisco, and Atlanta.  

"The response from the stations has been overwhelmingly positive. They clearly recognize the importance of the messages delivered by this program," says David Bulhack, President of Big Fish Entertainment, syndicator of the weekly TV series. "The cross-promotional platform offers stations the opportunity to recognize additional local revenue, as well as bridge relationships with the schools, students and parents. That's an unusual 'bonus' for E/I programming."

About The National Theatre for Children (NTC)

Founded in 1978, NTC is the largest in-school touring company in the world. They are dedicated to educating young people on important and timely curricular subjects by offering professional live theatre to our nation's schools.  Based in Minneapolis, NTC has developed the art of teaching through a combination of live theatre, television, print and Web learning into an evidence-based science of its own.  NTC has pioneered dozens of extremely successful programs in health, science, social studies, and financial literacy.  Each year, dozens of troupes perform live educational theatre programs in front of millions of students, in thousands of schools, nationwide.  For more information, visit the NTC Web site at www.nationaltheatre.com or call 1-800-858-3999.

About Trifecta Entertainment

Trifecta Entertainment and Media is a unique and innovative independent multi-media company engaged in the development, production, distribution, advertiser sales and media sponsorships of programming across a diverse spectrum of media platforms. Trifecta Entertainment is experienced in all aspects of television production and finance. Trifecta Media is responsible for U.S. distribution, advertiser sales, branding strategies and marketing for a rapidly growing portfolio of Trifecta and third party properties in a variety of media marketplaces. Its roster of programs encompasses a strong slate of branded syndicated programming for the upcoming broadcast seasons. They also represent alternative entertainment businesses in a wide variety of arenas, including cable, place-based viewing and the Internet. For more information, visit the Web site at www.trifectaentertainment.com or contact 1-323-850-3000.

About Big Fish Entertainment (BFE)

Big Fish Entertainment syndicates and distributes over 90 hours of first-run and off-network programming.  Big Fish Entertainment is also the exclusive distributor of IMG Media's non-network programming and works with a notable list of media clients in developing and packaging programming across all broadcast platforms. BFE's clients include: Hometime Video Publishing (Hometime), U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (Hispanics Today), Meredith Publishing Group (More Magazine, Family Circle, Better Homes & Gardens, Ladies' Home Journal), Conde Nast Publications (Allure, Vogue, Glamour, Lucky Magazine, and Gourmet), Nobel Peace Center (Nobel Peace Prize Concert), Publishing Group of America (Relish Magazine), EcoMedia, and KOFY-TV's Your Green Life Series.  For more information, contact President, David Bulhack at [email protected] or (212) 957-4316.

For more information: Katie Griep, Director of Sales and Marketing, [email protected] or 612-341-0882 x202

SOURCE The National Theatre for Children