U.S. CELLULAR AND ABC OFFER THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHADOW “SHARK TANK”
Behind-the-scenes casting event footage lets consumers peek inside the Shark Tank casting process; one winner will receive trip to L.A. for a behind-the-scenes experience with the Emmy-winning Show
CHICAGO (Sept. 24, 2014) – On ABC’s hit show “Shark Tank,” great entrepreneurs come from everywhere – which is why U.S. Cellular teamed up with the show for a multi-faceted, first-of-its-kind campaign to provide access for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs in a way like never before.
As part of this collaboration, U.S. Cellular has announced the “Shadow Shark Tank” sweepstakes, which provides one lucky winner the opportunity to spend the day on the set of “Shark Tank” to observe aspiring entrepreneurs make their pitches, meet show insiders and ask questions. Entry is open to residents of select states between now and Oct. 31 at www.ShadowSharkTank.com.
“At U.S. Cellular we support small business owners and entrepreneurs, and this sweepstakes will provide the winner with the unique experience of learning from some of the most determined business owners in the country,” said Cristel Turner, director of brand strategy and advertising for U.S. Cellular. “By teaming with ABC’s “Shark Tank” this summer for casting calls, we encountered inspiring entrepreneurs from around the country. Now we encourage all fans of the show to enter the sweepstakes for this exclusive opportunity.”
As part of its commitment to supporting small businesses, this summer U.S. Cellular sponsored three “Shark Tank” Casting Calls in cities the show had never been before: Milwaukee, Des Moines, Iowa, and Greenville, N.C. Exclusive behind-the-scenes footage captured at these casting calls will provide “Shark Tank” fans with an inside look at the casting experience through custom television advertising in key markets during the first three episodes of the new season (Sept. 26, Oct. 3, Oct. 10). Additional behind-the-scenes content will also be available at www.ShadowSharkTank.com.
“We were excited to hit the road this summer with U.S. Cellular to hear from entrepreneurs in and around smaller towns, and we were impressed by the quality of the unique business ideas we heard,” said Clay Newbill, “Shark Tank” Executive Producer. “We look forward to giving “Shark Tank” fans a glimpse into the casting process through the behind-the-scenes footage.”
No purchase is necessary to enter the sweepstakes. Official sweepstakes rules, prize limitations and eligibility requirements are available at www.ShadowSharkTank.com. Void outside select states and where prohibited.
About “Shark Tank”
Shark Tank,” the critically-acclaimed reality show that has reinvigorated entrepreneurship in America, has also become a culturally defining series. The recipient of the 2014 Emmy Award for Outstanding Structured Reality Program, the business-themed show returns to the ABC Television Network for its sixth season on Friday, September 26.
In 2012 and 2013, “Shark Tank” received Emmy nominations for Outstanding Reality Program. Additional recognitions include two Summer Television Critics Association (TCA) nominations for Outstanding Achievement in Reality Programming (winning in 2013), three Critics Choice Award nominations for Best Reality Series (winning in 2014), and three Producers Guild Award nominations.
Mark Burnett, Clay Newbill and Phil Gurin are the executive producers of “Shark Tank,” which is based on the Japanese “Dragons’ Den” format created by Nippon Television Network Corporation. “Shark Tank” is produced by One Three Media in association with Sony Pictures Television.
The hit unscripted series, which will reach its milestone 100th episode in November 2014, continues to be a ratings force, regularly finishing as Friday night’s No. 1 series. Last season, “Shark Tank” dominated its 9 o’clock time period and surged by double digits year to year with Total Viewers (+16%) and Adults 18-49 (+14%), marking the series’ best-ever season on both Nielsen measures.
About U.S. Cellular
U.S. Cellular rewards its customers with unmatched benefits and industry-leading innovations designed to elevate the customer experience. The Chicago-based carrier has a strong line-up of cutting-edge devices that are all backed by its high-speed network. Currently, nearly 90 percent of customers have access to 4G LTE speeds, and more than 93 percent will have access by the end of 2014. U.S. Cellular was named a J.D. Power and Associates Customer Champion in 2014 for the third time in four years. To learn more about U.S. Cellular, visit one of its retail stores or uscellular.com. To get the latest news, promos and videos, connect with U.S. Cellular on Facebook.com/uscellular, Twitter.com/uscellular and YouTube.com/uscellularcorp.
Katie Frey, U.S. Cellular, katie.frey@uscellular.com, 773-355-3275