A Wonderful Opportunity to Help : Marriage Uncensored - 10/25/08

[Smartmarriages]

-  A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO HELP: GRAB AN OAR!

One of our biggest challenges is getting marriage education information to
the public - we can't change the world unless we reach it!  "Marriage
Uncensored with Dave and Christie" is a huge stepping stone ­ a show that
features many of our top marriage education experts in a format that lets
the them teach what they know to the public.  Several of the media-seasoned
experts that have appeared on the show report that it's the best TV
experience they've ever had. That's high praise and something we should
support.  

"Marriage Uncensored" is currently airing on approximately twenty PBS
stations.  That's a good start, but there are hundreds of markets they
aren't reaching. The show recently sent out a promo package to 100
additional stations ­ this is where you come in.  PBS is publicly funded and
supported, and they will listen to the voice of the people - that's US. We
need a concerted effort ­ enough passionate and informed emails that they'll
get  curious and take a look at the show.

I'm pasting in a basic template below to get you started but I trust you'll
be moved to personalize it - add the family breakdown stats in your state,
share compelling points from the IAV report on the financial costs of
divorce; add arguments about the human and health costs and the effects on
children; add experiences from your own practice or family. Tell them how
educating people about HOW to strengthen their marriage can help avoid
unnecessary divorces and huge downstream costs to your community - and that
this entertaining format can do that, combine the best research-based
information with a show that's fun to watch.  Some of you might have helped
with PBS fundraising campaigns and can make calls to someone you know at the
station. Or you might increase impact by organizing your community marriage
list.  However, if all you have time for is to send the basic template, do
that - we want these to arrive in the next few weeks to coincide with the
promo package and their great fall line-up of marriage-education guests.

If you can make time to personalize your letter, there are many resources to
help you make your argument here:
http://www.smartmarriages.com/marriage.reports.html

Or, crib from this McManus article:
http://lists101.his.com/pipermail/smartmarriages/2008-April/003714.html

For contact email and postal address, email Janice Nikkel at
janice at marriageuncensored.com and she will send you the name and contact
info for YOUR local PBS station.
 
Let's see what we can do - and maybe we'll see a bunch more of you on the
show.  Smart Marriages folks they've featured include: Doherty, Van Epp,
Weiner-Davis, Stosny, Harley, Smalley, Haltzman, Eggerichs, Chapman,
Baumgardner, Johnson, Carder, Anne & Brian Bercht, with many more to come.

If you've not seen the show, you can watch here:
http://www.marriageuncensored.com/Show.php

I'd love to receive copies of your emails or you efforts to organize in your
community.  

- diane  
-----------------------------------------------------

Dear  _______________ (Program Director)
 
As a viewer of PBS, I would like __________ (insert your PBS station letters
here) to bring the TV show, ³Marriage Uncensored with Dave and Christie² to
our community. ³Marriage Uncensored with Dave and Christie² is a 30 minute
educational TV talk show that has the fun of ³Regis and Kelly² and the
educational value like ³Dr. Phil² or "Oprah". The show offers research-based
hope and help for relationships - it's like having your own personal family
or marriage coach right in your living room! You can get an introduction to
this great show at  http://www.publicity.marriageuncensored.com/ .
 
You can download this show each Sunday at 12:30pm. The show is available:
Sundays from October 19, 2008 - February 22, 2009.
Time: 12:30-13:00 (EST)
Transponder: 512
 
Thanks for considering bringing this great show to our community.
 
Sincerely,
 
YOUR NAME HERE