AUSTIN, Texas (April 12, 2012) Cheer Channel Inc. (CCI), the premiere online digital news and entertainment network dedicated entirely to the spirit industry, announced today that they will debut the world premiere of the first original Web series written and produced specifically for cheerleaders and their millions of fans, “Secret Diary of an American Cheerleader,” in early April.
The spirit industry is a $4 billion industry, with its target demographic reaching female teens, tweens and ‘cheer’ moms.
“Secret Diary of an American Cheerleader” is a scripted, dramatic Web series consisting of six webisodes that will air on the Cheer Channel website and Facebook fan pages, the “Secret Diary of an American Cheerleader” Facebook fan pages, and YouTube channel and has locked in distribution deals with some of the largest distributors of Web series on the Internet, including Vimeo, Blip.TV, Koldcast.TV, Hulu, iTunes, Brightcover, Veoh, Web Series Today, Grab Networks, and Alphabird . In addition, “Secret Diary of an American Cheerleader” clips, trailers and full episodes will be posted on more than 70 of the most popular teen and tween social media platforms, including Twitter, Delicious, Tumblr, Pinterest, and Blogger.
“This is the first ever branded entertainment opportunity not only for vendors actively engaged with the cheer and dance industry, but from major brands that have wanted to find a way to gain access to this elusive yet attractive demographic” said Lance H. Robbins, President of Cheer Channel.
Sponsors can opt for integration of their brand into the storyline and/or place their banners and video ads that contain bonus material, such as deleted scenes, blooper reels, cast interviews, early audition tapes and behind the scenes of the production. The Web series rollout includes print, mobile, radio, on-site event promotions, and social media contests and sweepstakes.
Robbins, is the executive producer of the series that was developed from a story created by the author of “The Cheerleader’s Guide to Life”, and CCI CEO, Cindy Villarreal. Robbins is the former President of Saban Entertainment (“Mighty Morphin Power Rangers”) and Fox Family Studios Worldwide, where he executive produced more than 70 movies for network and cable television, as well as hundreds of live action and animated series, including “Ninja Turtles”, “Sweet Valley High”, “Big Wolf on Campus”, “Casper Meets Wendy”, “The Addams Family”, “Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish” and “Au Pair”.
According to Robbins, “this series is the culmination of the Cheer Channel’s goal to provide not just news and information about the spirit industry, but to find new ways to reach millions of cheerleaders and their fans with original and cutting-edge entertainment programming”. Robbins adds, “this also gives or national advertisers and spirit industry vendors an opportunity to market their products online where our demographic of female tweens and teens spend most of their time”.
“Secret Diary of an American Cheerleader” is written and produced by Aaron Mendelsohn, who has written the screenplays for the multi-million dollar film franchise, “Air Bud,” and its 11 sequels for Disney, as well as numerous webisodes for brands and networks including Coca-Cola, Toyota, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon and The Gap. Most recently, Aaron wrote the screenplay for “12 Days of Christmas”, which was the highest rated Christmas movie this past holiday season on ABC Family Channel.
The series will be directed by Jared Seltzer who has directed and edited award-winning Web series, documentaries and reality shows for studios such as Paramount, Warner Bros, Universal and cable nets including Discovery, AMC and Bravo.
National casting calls began on Feb. 11 at cheer event producer Epic’s “Battle of the Boardwalk” as well as at the Cheersport Nationals February 17-19. Hundreds of girls turned out to audition for various roles that will be populated by real cheerleaders in the series. Open casting calls will continue through the end of week.
“Having been a cheerleader and coach my entire life, we want to cast as many ‘real’ cheerleaders as we can so that it is truly authentic and relatable for this core audience,” said Villarreal.
Cheerleader Casting, the listing agency out of Los Angeles that specializes entirely in representing cheerleaders of all ages who can act, dance and perform stunts and routines is handling the casting duties for CCI.
“Secret Diary of an American Cheerleader” founding circle sponsors include prominent industry leaders GTM Sportswear, Power Bows, Malibu Sugar, Cheerleading Stunt Stand, Cheerleader Casting, Glamour Shots and Cheer Deals as well as over a dozen accessory, photographic, travel, cosmetic and fashion companies that will be providing incentives, services and products for weekly contests, sweepstakes and giveaways.
“GTM Sportswear is excited to be a part of the “Secret Diary of an American Cheerleader” Web series. We feel that this is an opportunity to engage our brand with one of our target audiences in a unique and impactful way,” says Nikki Miller, Vice President of Marketing at GTM Sportswear.
CCI intends to engage its close to 65,000 combined Facebook fans with quizzes and weekly prizes that will be cross-promoted through various digital media platforms and media partners, including Cheer Phi, “The Cheer Leader Magazine”, Cheer1xm and Alumni Cheerleaders.
For more information, please visit:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cheer-Channel-Inc/135995958954
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Secret-Diary-of-an-American-Cheerleader/302457383124008
