This year local TV stations across America commemorated Black History Month in an engaging new way: over 100 stations aired “The Journey – 450 Years of the African-American Experience,” a fascinating documentary special that attracted large viewing audiences, as well as inspired community events and education nationwide.
Produced Mummy Cat Productions and Sam2, a joint venture between Stephen Arnold Music and Gordon Smith Creative, “Journey” proved to be must-see TV in many major markets where it aired: The show was second in its time period in Nashville, Jacksonville and Indianapolis, with similarly strong showings in several other large markets. “Journey” also broke 'outside of the box,' as it was donated to more than 250 local school systems airing the show and even celebrated an Imax screening in Peoria, IL, as well as other events that brought people and communities together.
“The magic of this documentary was that it was more than just a TV show,” says Chad Cook, VP/Creative Director of Stephen Arnold Music. “This was an untold story that resonated across the country.”
“Journey” revealed the never-before-told true story about the role that free blacks played in the founding of St. Augustine, Florida, the oldest city in the United States. Interviews with experts and vivid imagery combine to explain how the first African Americans reached the new world long before the founding of Jamestown – not as slaves but as free men.
Sam2 made “Journey” available for licensing to local TV stations nationwide as a market exclusive, illuminating American history in a way that proved ideal for sponsorship during Black History Month. In addition, the entire documentary was available to local schools by the presenting sponsors and TV stations during Black History Month for use in their classrooms.
“The response to ‘Journey’ exceeded our expectations,” says Gordon Smith, co-founder of Sam2.
Mike Carr of Mummycat Productions adds, "'Journey’ demonstrates how compelling original TV content can be. People did more than just watch – they actively shared it and built their own experiences around it as well. That forms a meaningful connection between stations, sponsors and communities.”
New documentary productions are on the way from Sam2 for Q3 2015 and early 2016.
About Sam2
Sam2 is a dynamic new one-stop shop that offers clients both media strategy and marketing services, providing broadcasters of all sizes with an innovative approach to marketing strategies, media planning and branding. You know Stephen Arnold Music as an innovative music company that has always been committed to improving the performance of your news brand and building your audience. Sam2 is a continuation of our commitment to innovation and performance, but in a new and exciting direction.
Guided by Gordon Smith, Sam2 offers complete marketing solutions packages: audio/video/film (short & long form), bag & tag, display & rich media, multi-screen platforms, social and out of home. Our services are tailored to meet the unique and demanding needs of our clients. These are just some of the hundreds of broadcasters we’ve served: ABC News, Al Jazeera, Belo, CBS, CCTV, CNN & HLN, Discovery, ESPN, Fischer, Fox, Gray, HBO, HCNet, Hubbard, Lin, Media General, NBC, Nexstar, Scripps, Tribune, Weather Channel. For more information go to http://www.sam2.com/
