SEATTLE -
BizKid$ producer Jamie Hammond, who also produced "Bill Nye-The Science Guy" series, recently attended a PBS convention in Atlanta and showed the series first episode to television programmers from across the nation. A show focused on kids and their finances went over very well, according to Hammond.
"They are thrilled to death to get content in this area," Hammond said. "The programmers are just really excited."
BizKid$ is a financial education show for young kids and is being produced through a joint effort of Junior Achievement International, PBS and the National Credit Union Foundation which has funded two seasons with $2.6 million. Hammond said to date, 100 PBS stations have verbally committed to airing BizKid$ in January. Hammond said she wants BizKid$ to have as much success as "The Science Guy", which aired in 140 countries and is still being shown nearly a decade after she delivered the final episode to PBS.
"We see ourselves working together for a long, long time," Hammond said. Washington CU Foundation Executive Director, Roxanne Kruger-Monahan said teachers will be able to visit the BizKid$ website and download curriculum for classroom use. "Equally important is the outreach to the classrooms," she said.
The BizKid$ website promises to be fully interactive with kids uploading video of their own business projects in the hope that producers will profile them for the show. BizKid$ planners are also creating plans for artwork that credit unions will eventually be able to use in lobbies. Producers are also working on guidelines that will teach credit unions who to contact if they want BizKid$ aired in their local market.
For info: www.bizkids.com.
