ASPIREist, A Multiplatform Feature News Series From Emmy Award Winning Former 60 Minutes Producers, To Debut April 3 On USA Network, Digital Platforms And Flipboard

NEW YORK, March 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- ASPIREist, a feature news show empowering 21st century viewers to take action on the issues that matter to them, is set to officially debut on Sunday, April 3, 2016. Produced for a Millennial audience by Emmy and Peabody Award winning former 60 Minutes producers Shawn Efran and Solly Granatstein, the show uses a team of young, multicultural hosts, all of whom are successful TED Talk alumni, to put a spotlight on inspirational stories and then enable viewers to take immediate action on issues spanning mass incarceration, immigration, teen suicide, transgender awareness and education, and more. The show was created by media advertising leader Neal Weinberg and screenwriter Michal Zebede. Active International, a global leader in media and corporate trading for more than 30 years is a key financial partner in the production of ASPIREist.

ASPIREist will debut on Sunday, April 3, 2016 at 8:00AM ET on USA Network and simultaneously be freely available to stream on Flipboard, as well as Facebook and YouTube.

In a strategic, first-of-its-kind distribution deal which includes NBC Universal's USA Network and digital publishing platform Flipboard, ASPIREist aims to reach young viewers who consume across multiple screens, effectively reinventing today's traditional news program. ASPIREist is accessible across multiple channels, combining the reach of traditional television, the power of digital, and through each segment's built-to-share content and "Calls to Action," the community of social media.

"ASPIREist, is about finding those unique individuals who are aspiring to know more, do more and truly change our world," said co-creator Neal Weinberg. " We've attempted to re-invent the typical 'news show' by pulling back the curtain on the 'new digital newsrooms' taking shape today. Our ultimate goal is to allow young people to discover, consume, and immediately take action on the stories they care about across all platforms, combining the power of old and new media."

"We Millennials are a bunch of rebels without a cause. We're fed up by the system yet we still want to make a difference. ASPIREist gives our generation the meaningful content we're hungry for, and puts the power in our hands," added Michal Zebede, co-creator.

Each half-hour episode in the four-episode season follows a format reminiscent of 60 Minutes, digging deep on three feature stories per episode. The hosts lead viewers through a four to five minute "ASPIREist Original" feature news segment, a "Look to the Stars" feature segment with celebrities including George Clooney, Nikki Reed and Ian Somerhalder, Moby and more, and a "Found On…" segment that highlights compelling content found across the web. Peppered in between these segments are two "Just for a Minute" 60-second featurettes covering innovative products invented by today's most ingenious social entrepreneurs.

The partnership with Flipboard, the award wining social magazine for mobile devices with over 85 million unique monthly users, marks the first time the platform partnered with a news program to extend the conversation of each news story. Supporting each episode will be a custom Flipboard digital magazine, allowing viewers to take a deeper dive and learn more about stories they've seen on ASPIREist. Included in this content are additional stories, sources, videos, a call to action, and more, which provide an inclusive, behind the scenes, digital newsroom experience.

"We believe great stories move the world forward, shaping us as people and as a society. The ASPIREist team has a similar vision and it has been exciting to work together," said Carolyn Weyforth Glanville, head of partner marketing at Flipboard. "The ASPIREist program format and talent is pioneering storytelling, creating a news program that tackles big questions through televised stories and combines it with rich, supporting online Flipboard Magazines. This is a powerful way to use Flipboard and one that we hope inspires people to find their passion and take action."

Corporate social responsibility takes center stage on the show, and ASPIREist is a natural venue for brands looking to highlight their efforts to give back and do good. Advertisers that have signed on to the program include Colgate with its "Save Water" spot, which aired during this year's Super Bowl, along with a custom produced content piece about Colgate's "Bright Smiles, Bright Futures" program that provides underprivileged children access to dental care.

ASPIREist Hosts include:

Shiza Shahid is a women's rights activist and co-founder of The Malala Fund alongside Malala Yousafzai, working to secure girls' right to a minimum of 12 years of quality education, particularly in the global south. Shiza at TEDxMidAtlantic 2013: There are no Superheroes, Just Us: My Journey with Malala

Philippe Cousteau, Jr. is an environmental activist, special correspondent for CNN, and host and executive producer of Xploration Awesome Planet. Philippe at TEDxOilSpill 2011: The Biggest Threat is the Oil We Can't See

Seth Maxwell is the founder of Thirst Project, which involves over 320 high school and college campuses in solving the global water crisis. Seth at TEDxYouth@Hollywood 2013: A Clean Jump

Geena Rocero is a model, transgender advocate, and founder of Gender Proud, an advocacy and media production company that tells stories to elevate justice and equality for the transgender community. Geena at TED Conference 2014: Why I Must Come Out

Debi Nova is a Costa Rican singer-songwriter and an activist in the United Nations' campaign UNITE to End Violence Against Women organized by UN Women. Debi at TEDxJoven@PuraVida 2013: Soy (I Am)

Clint Smith is a teacher, poet, researcher, and doctoral candidate in Education at Harvard University with a concentration in Culture, Institutions, and Society. Clint at the TED Conference 2014: The Danger of Silence

ABOUT ASPIREist
ASPIREist is a new half-hour reality feature news show that inspires people to aspire to action by telling stories that matter. Produced by former Emmy Award winning 60 Minutes producers, ASPIREist integrates inspirational stories across both linear and digital platforms, evolving today's traditional news show into a format grounded in the way young people currently find and consume content. Led by a roster of Millennial, multicultural TED Talk alumni and celebrities including George Clooney, Nikki Reed, Ian Somerhalder, Moby, and more. ASPIREist airs on USA Network, digital publishing platform Flipboard, Facebook, and YouTube. The show was created by media advertising leader Neal Weinberg and screenwriter Michal Zebede, and Active International, a global leader in media and corporate trading for more than 30 years is a key financial partner in the production of ASPIREist. To learn more, please visit www.aspireist.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/aspireist.

ABOUT FLIPBOARD
Flipboard gives people a single place to follow all of their interests. People use Flipboard to enjoy their favorite sources from around the world and then save stories, images, and videos into their own Flipboard magazines—sharing items that reflect their interests, express their perspectives, or are simply things they want to read later. Download Flipboard for free in any app store or visit www.flipboard.com.

SOURCE ASPIREist

Related Links

http://www.aspireist.com