Encore Completes Production Deal for “Lucky Break” Television Show

Last year we started working with Lone Butte Casino and Mike Ousley Productions out of Birmingham, Alabama on the production of a television show called "Lucky Break" as a promotional tool for the casino and an opportunity for local talent to compete for weekly prizes and a grand prize audition with record producers in Las Vegas or Nashville. Encore worked closely with the casino, transforming their Cascades Lounge into a full-blown television studio. We helped obtain the proper lighting and sound equipment and designed and built a great stage set for the backdrop to the performers appearing on television. The lounge now serves as a television production facility on Wednesday and Thursday nights. I was asked by the marketing department to serve as one of three judges, and as it turned out, I was the consistent weekly judge, appearing in 24 of 26 episodes including the semi-finals and finals. The show turned out to be very successful on a number of levels. Hosted by Chris Parker, morning drive-time DJ at Mix 96.6 in the Phoenix market, there were hundreds and hundreds of contestants who signed up to perform Karaoke, provided by killer DJ Rockin Rob (Rob Shakman) and be judged on a scale of 1-7 (21 being a perfect score-go figure!) by the three judges. Chris Parker was a great host and the post-production handled by Ousley's team did a more than respectable job. Working through a couple of production issues, and in an effort to improve the viewer's loyalty and the content of the show, we proposed several new ideas in conjunction with the marketing team at Lone Butte, led by "Chaz" Fowler and including Lananh Tran and Larry Lynch. The improvements included "auditioning" contestants, interviewing the weekly winners and creating a human interest angle which would provide the viewer with insight into the contestants and changing the show from a talent show to a full blown "reality" show. Encore now produces the Wednesday night portion, bringing people into the lounge and taping the performances. In addition, we select the contestants for Thursday night tapings, and do the on-air interviews. Aimee Schierjohn, our newest hire and recent graduate of University of Arizona's Business School handles all of the contestant contact, organization, confirmation, and interviews. The first week went extremely well….great turnout in the lounge on both Wednesday and Thursday, with local singer/actress/writer/publisher, Laurie Fagen handling the hosting duties and Jeff Lowy, Jan Ziff (returning from last season) and last season's overall Finals winner, Becky Witter, handling the judging duties. Follow this blog for more information, which will keep on coming. We have great advertising rates and sponsorship opportunities available, so please contact us for some great deals on airtime as well as product placement and on show mentions, etc. It's a great way to get your company's name out in the local market on a show that is watched by locals, that has great ratings in the market and great overall exposure. Pictures, videos, etc., will follow. In the meantime, you'll note that our homepage is also serving as a landing pad for contestants to pick their artists and songs for the competition. Here's a clip from one of last season's shows: If you're in marketing at a casino outside the Valley area, this show could be produced in your market as well and bring you great returns on a very reasonable investment. Contact us for more details. It's a turn-key marketing product and tool that your audience and your community will LOVE! Encore Creative helped Lone Butte Casino and Mike Ousley Productions is now marketing the production throughout the west coast U.S. for night clubs, casinos and other venues interested in driving traffic and creating brand and customer loyalty. Themed shows, like "You Wanna Be A Country Star" or other themes applicable to your market are also available. Check out Lucky Break on Saturday nights on KPHO, channel 5, at 10:35pm!!!

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