To Celebrate Its Upcoming Film "The Guilt Trip," Paramount Pictures Has Partnered With HSN and Edison Nation To Conduct A Nationwide Product Inventor Search Inspired By The Film

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Oct. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- To celebrate its upcoming film "The Guilt Trip," starring Seth Rogen as a struggling inventor traveling across the country to sell his product, Paramount Pictures, a division of Viacom, Inc., has partnered with HSN, the leader in multi-channel retail, and online inventor community Edison Nation, to conduct a nationwide search for the next big idea.  Aspiring inventors are invited to attend an open call at Paramount Pictures studios in Hollywood, California on Saturday, November 17^th or submit their ideas online at www.edisonnation.com.  Long established as a launching pad for entrepreneurs, HSN will give one inventor the chance of a lifetime - to present their product at HSN.

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"Once again, HSN proves to be an innovator in creativity and programming with this incredible tie-in to the film," said LeeAnne Stables, President of Consumer Products for Paramount Pictures and head of global marketing partnerships for the studio.  "Creating an opportunity for inventors nationwide to have a chance to appear on HSN is a fantastic compliment to the storyline of an inventor on a cross-country road trip with his mother (played by Barbra Streisand) to pitch his product."

Following the online search and at the live event, Edison Nation's team of product experts will review the submissions and present the top concepts to HSN on December 4^th.  A panel of judges will select the final product and the inventor will have the opportunity to appear live on HSN during the primetime The Guilt Trip Event on December 23^rd to share his or her inventing experience.  Their item will be sold at HSN in 2013.

"HSN has always been an incubator for bold and creative entrepreneurs," said Bill Brand, EVP of Programming, Marketing and Business Development for HSN.  "Their passion, dedication and vision have greatly contributed to HSN's success today. We are thrilled to be involved in this heart-warming, hilarious film and look forward to working closely with Paramount and Edison Nation to discover the next 'big idea'."

To participate in the nationwide search, aspiring inventors with an idea for a new product can go to Edison Nation (EdisonNation.com/GuiltTrip) now through November 12^th to submit their ideas and share their inspiration behind the next big idea.  It is free to join Edison Nation and costs just $25 to submit an idea, which covers a portion of the cost the company incurs to review all ideas.

In addition, inventors can present their product ideas in person on Saturday, November 17^th  at the special HSN The Guilt Trip product search at the Paramount Pictures lot in Hollywood, California.  Inventors are encouraged to pre-register for the live event online at EdisonNation.com/GuiltTripLIVE in order to be guaranteed a spot in the pre-screening product review. 

"The Guilt Trip" stars Rogen as Andy Brewster, an inventor about to embark on the road trip of a lifetime, and who better to accompany him than his overbearing mother Joyce, played by Barbra Streisand.  After deciding to start his adventure with a quick visit at mom's, Andy is guilted into bringing her along for the ride.  Across 3,000 miles of ever-changing landscape, he is constantly aggravated by her antics, but over time he comes to realize that their lives have more in common than he originally thought.  His mother's advice might end up being exactly what he needs.  The Guilt Trip is directed by Anne Fletcher, written by Dan Fogelman and produced by Lorne Michaels, John Goldwyn and Evan Goldberg.

The Guilt Trip opens everywhere December 25^th.

HSN is creating a week-long programming event tied to the opening of the film.  The Guilt Trip Week, which runs December 17^th through the 25^th on HSN, is a celebration of independent inventors and ingenious products that gives customers an inside look at the multichannel retailer and the product creation process of some of the most popular brands and must-have products from HSN.

For more information on the search for new inventions, visit HSN.com/GuiltTrip or EdisonNation.com/GuiltTrip and join in the conversation with @HSN and @EdisonNation on Facebook and Twitter.

About HSN:

HSN is a leading interactive multichannel retailer, offering a curated assortment of exclusive products and top brand names to its customers.  HSN incorporates entertainment, inspiration, personalities and industry experts to provide an entirely unique shopping experience.  At HSN, customers find exceptional selections in Health & Beauty, Jewelry, Home/Lifestyle, Fashion/Accessories, and Electronics.  HSN broadcasts live to 96 million households in the US in HD 24/7 and its website - hsn.com - is a top 10 most trafficked e-commerce site, featuring more than 16,000 product videos.  Mobile applications include HSN apps for iPad, iPhone and Android.  HSN, founded 35 years ago as the first shopping network, is an operating segment of HSN, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSNI).  For more information, please visit HSN.com, or follow @HSN on Facebook and Twitter.

About Paramount Pictures Corporation:

Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Famous Productions, Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.

About Edison Nation:

Edison Nation is a product design and development group with expertise in the consumer, industrial and medical space. Edison Nation operates EdisonNation.com, an online community for innovators, Everyday Edisons, an Emmy® Award-winning series on public television, and Inventors Digest, a top trade publication dedicated to the study of business and innovation. Edison Nation utilizes corporate relationships with the country's top retailers, manufacturers and ASOTV companies to bring independent inventor-driven ideas to market. Products can be found in all major mass retailers across the country. Edison Nation was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Charlotte, N.C. For more information, please visit www.edisonnation.com.

SOURCE HSN