Sponsorship and Underwriting

Public Television and Radio reaches upscale consumers, community leaders & business decision-makers.

Our Sponsorship and Underwriting

We invite you to join our vision of an ideal America. Our television, radio, events, new media and other organizations all have one goal to introduce Americas to each other. We believe our platforms do this successfully while achieving an ROI for your organization.

A Message from Tavis Smiley

• Television and Radio
• Media & Outreach Initiatives
• New Media
• Events
  • TAVIS SMILEY PRESENTS: 2009–2010 Event Summaries
  • TALENTED TENTH HBCU TOUR 2009
  • AMERICA I AM: The African American Imprint on America - Two Traveling Exhibitions Highlight
  • AMERICA I AM: Lecture Series Five-City Tour
  • SUCCESSOUL
• Youth Leadership
• Education
• Unique Business Opportunities
  • HQSB
  • SMILEYBOOKS

Environment: Credible, Low Clutter

Sponsor messages have greater impact in the low-clutter environment found only on public television and radio. Also, prohibition against "hard sell" spots, and trustworthiness of public broadcasting combine to make underwriting messages extremely credible and memorable. PBS' dignified approach to on-air sponsor support is appreciated and respected by its loyal viewers.

IMAGE: Service, Excellence

Tavis Smiley builds brand identification and strengthens your corporate image. Sponsors benefit from the "halo effect" of being associated with PBS and NPR and its mission to make a meaningful contribution to our community. Nearly 85% of consumers believe such higher-purpose, cause-related marketing creates a positive image for sponsors. And almost two-thirds of PBS viewers and NPR listeners are more likely to purchase the product or service of a PBS or NPR underwriter.

Creative Guidelines: Ideal for Branding

PROGRAMS: Targeted, Quality

PBS has a reputation for providing the highest quality programs on television and NPR on radio. Tavis Smiley’s Award winning programs each has its own targeted genre and audience in public broadcasting.

Spots may be: :10, :15 or :30 in length. Identify and depict sponsor's products or services. Describe sponsor's corporate mission. Use a slogan and/or logo. Use an 800 telephone number. Use a web site address. Use music or sound effects not product-related. Make association between sponsor and program.

Spots may not: Use comparative or superlative language. Offer price, discount or financing information. Use calls to action. Include endorsements. Use dramatizations.

CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVE:
Denise Pines, The Smiley Group, Inc., 323-290-4690x225, dpines@tavistalks.com
Morris McWilliams, Related Media Inc., 212-862-8411, morris@relatedmediainc.com
Hilary Vartanian, The Smiley Group, Inc., 347-712-1116, hilary@hilaryv.com
Wendy Berry, The Smiley Group, Inc., 213-924-6694, wberry@tavistalks.com