Posts Tagged ‘Mark Burnett’

ABC Renews Shark Tank for Second Season

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010

ABC has renewed Shark Tank for a second season to air sometimes in early 2011. Although the season is smaller then last with only 8 episodes its still better then nothing.

All the Sharks will be returning this season, real-estate mogul Barbara Corcoran, infomercial pioneer Kevin Harrington, technology expert Robert Herjavec, fashion owner Daymond John and financial expert Kevin O’Leary. Comedian Jeff Foxworthy will join the Sharks for 3 episodes, adding a little mainstream star power to the group.

At first glance Jeff Foxworthy may not seem like a business tycoon like the rest of the Sharks but he has turned “You Might Be A Redneck If…” into an empire. Publishing over 25 books, selling 15 million records, creating a line of greeting card, owning restaurants, staring in a game show, his own brand of beef jerky, and BBQ sauce.

There is no information about casting as of yet but when it becomes available I will let you all know.

“You may be a redneck if . . . you think you are an entrepreneur because of the “Dirt for Sale” sign in the front yard.” – Jeff Foxworthy

Shark Tank Season 2?

Friday, October 16th, 2009


This week is the Shark Tank season finale, and it hasn’t been a runaway hit, ratings wise. I believe that Shark Tank is a quality show that just keeps getting better. Each week new viewers tune in and watch the Sharks sink their teeth into quality deals. Shark Tank provides entrepreneurs with needed investment and media exposure to bring their businesses to the next level. On top of that the show is entertaining, addictive, educational, and funny. I believe that ABC and Mark Burnett Productions should produce a second season of Shark Tank.

If you agree with me that Shark Tank deserves a second season than please pass on your comments to ABC by clicking this link. Once there fill out the information, select the show Shark Tank, and use the subject complement. Send your own personalized message and let them know what you think about Shark Tank. Make sure you tell them InTheSharkTank.com sent you!

If you run twitter follow us @SharkTankABC and please RT this message: Tell ABC you want a 2nd season of Shark Tank @ http://bit.ly/SMCRc #SharkTank for more info go to http://bit.ly/4DB6w7

Episode 1 recap

Monday, August 10th, 2009

shark-tank8Shark Tank premiered Sunday, running against NBC’s NFL “Hall of Fame Game” averaged only 4.2 million viewers. Not exactly the strongest numbers but its something to build on. (so tell your friends)

Five money hungry sharks decide weather to invest their own money into a hopeful entrepreneurs business. The Sharks of “Shark Tank” are real estate mogul Barbara Corcoran, “infomercial” industry pioneer Kevin Harrington, technology innovator Robert Herjavec, fashion icon Daymond John and financial expert Kevin O’Leary.

Tod Wilson of Mr. Tod’s Pie Factory was first into the tank, he needed money to expand his business to meet demand. Although he ran a profitable retail pie business over 50% of his business came from wholesaling sweet potato pies, he had sales of over $850,000 last year. McDonald’s is interested in carrying his product in the southern states. He was asking $460,000 for a 10% stake in his business. Barbara and Daymond offered the money for 50% of his company and Tod accepted the deal.

Darrin Johnson presented his invention called Ionic Ear. He was looking for $1 million for a 15% stake in his company. The Ionic Ear is a Bluetooth device which is surgically implanted in the ear. As expected the Sharks laughed at him, and he didn’t get any investment. I actually wonder if this was a real business because I am unable to find any reference to a Darrin Johnson or a Bluetooth device called Ionic Ear anywhere online…

The next entrepreneur was Kevin Flannery who had to mortgage his house to keep his company WiSpots afloat. WiSpots is a content delivery system (advertising) which would be set up in doctors offices allowing patients to surf the net while waiting for their appointments. He was seeking $1.2 million for a 10% steak in his business. The units cost a little over $9 thousand and the sharks were positive doctors would not pay for it. They all opted out, and encouraged him to give up his business.

Next to enter the tank was Tiffany Krumins. She was looking for a $50 thousand investment for a 15% stake in her business, Emmy, an elephant that helped deliver medicine to difficult children. Tiffany was in need of mentorship, she had no patent, no mold, and nothing much more than a idea. Barbara offered Tiffany the money for a 55% stake,  which she accepted.

Last was Omar Solomon and Nick Friedman with their business College Foxes Packing Boxes. They would send good-looking girls to help pack up boxes on moving day. This business was a sister business to College Hunks Hauling Junk which sent guys to help move. Omar and Nick were only offering an investment in College Foxes Moving Boxes but the sharks wanted both. Omar and Nick asked for $1 milling for a 10% stake in both business. No one was interested, Robert counted with $250 thousand for a 10% take in College Hunks Hauling Junk and a 50% stake in College Foxes Packing Boxes. The guys were not interested.

Next week the Sharks hear a pitch from Mark Furigay an inner-city schoolteacher who has a unique way to get kids to learn. Sensing that a gourmet food business is about to make it big, Susan Knapp the owner watches as the Sharks fight it out for a piece of her business. Also, the Sharks are so impressed with a life-saving idea that an astonishing one million dollar offer is made. Will this headstrong entrepreneur accept the offer or will his ego stand in the way?

Previews

Monday, August 3rd, 2009

Shark Tank premieres this Sunday at 9 on ABC. To give you a bit of an idea of what the show will be like take a look at these videos:

Mr Todd’s Pies Factory: Todd Wilson

Darren Johnson:

Busy Week in the Tank

Wednesday, June 10th, 2009

Tomorrow (June 11th) Good Morning America is set to air an interview with Mark Burnett and Kevin O’Leary (maybe more not sure) at around 8am.

Open Casting Call:

ORLANDO
Thursday, June 11th
Sheraton Hotel Orlando Downtown
60 S. Ivanhoe Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32804

9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

NEW YORK
Saturday, June 13th
Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge
333 Adams St.
Brooklyn, NY 11201

9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

CHICAGO
Satuday, June 13th
Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown/Lakefront
511 N. Columbus Dr.
Chicago, IL 60611

9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

As I said last time, arrive early, make sure you fill out this application (tell them you found out about it from InTheSharkTank.com) and be prepared to answer these questions.

Follow us on twitter at Twitter.com/SharkTankABC

Your First Look

Wednesday, May 20th, 2009

Sharks

The Sharks

Kevin O’Leary

Kevin O’Leary

Barbara Corcoran

Barbara Corcoran

Kevin Harrington

Kevin Harrington

Daymond John

Daymond John

Robert Herjavec

Robert Herjavec

Mascot

New Round Of Casting

Wednesday, May 13th, 2009


Here is your opportunity to pitch to the Sharks. ABC’s Shark Tank is looking for entrepreneurs, inventors, promoters, creators and dreamers to audition. Entrepreneurs will pitch their business to five Multimillionaire investors (Sharks). The Entrepreneurs must then convince the Sharks to invest at least what they have asked for or they go home empty handed.

The Shark Tank will finally bring ABC and Mark Burnnet together. Burnnet has produced hit reality shows such as Survivor and the Apprentice for most major networks but this is the first time he has worked with ABC. The show was greenlighted back in March after the network liked the pilot, which was filmed in January. Seven episodes have been ordered.

Shark Tank is based of Dragon’s Den, a hit BBC show that follows a similar format.

If you are interested go to ABC.com for full casting information:

DO YOU HAVE THE NEXT GREAT MONEYMAKING IDEA? We are currently on the search for entrepreneurs, inventors, businesspersons, dreamers, promoters, creators, innovators, etc. If you feel you have a lucrative business idea but just can’t seem to secure the financial backing to get it off the ground then Shark Tank is just the show for you. Each episode features aspiring entrepreneurs pitching their business ideas to moguls in hopes of landing investment funds. Apply now for your chance to enter the “Shark Tank” and see if your idea survives.

EMAIL US AT: SharkTankCasting@yahoo.com
Please include your name, age, contact info, a recent photo, and a brief, NON-CONFIDENTIAL description of your idea. Good luck.


Slumping economy inspires Canadians to seek business ventures with Dragons

Thursday, April 9th, 2009

Dragon’s Den (the Canadian version of Shark Tank) is in the middle of a cross country audition tour. They have been stopping in both small and large city’s. Here is an article from the Canadian Press:

Slumping economy inspires Canadians to seek business ventures with Dragons

Thu Apr. 09 2009 3:45

Cassandra Szklarski, The Canadian Press

TORONTO — The economic downturn has drawn out more entrepreneurial spirit than ever, the producers of CBC-TV’s reality business series “Dragon’s Den” said Thursday as they continued their search for Canada’s next great tycoon.

The show is in the midst of a cross-country audition tour that has brought scouts to such hard-hit regions as the Ontario communities of Windsor and Oshawa, which have borne the brunt of car manufacturing layoffs, and a first-ever stop in Campbell River, B.C., an area hit in recent years by pulp mill closures that threw hundreds of people out of work.

Associate producer Lindsey Neely says turnout has been strong and varied.

“We thought maybe with the recession that people are going to be playing it safe, that they’re not going to want to pitch their own businesses but I think it’s really been the opposite,” Neely said Thursday by phone from a stop in St. Catharines, Ont.

“People are looking for new things to do, where it’s someone who’s worked at a company for 25 years and they’ve been laid off and maybe they’re hurt and they’re upset and they’re thinking: `Why am I spending all this time working for somebody else when I could be working for myself and all this hard work I’m putting in should be going back to me?”‘

“I’d say almost a third of our pitchers are people that have lost their jobs at car manufacturing plants,” associate producer Rich Maerov said of investment seekers from the southern Ontario region.

“From last year, I’d say, there’s probably twice as many people that are unemployed right now. On the one hand, I think it’s sad to see that but on the other hand it’s actually instigating some thinking outside-the-box,” he said from a stop in Quebec City.

Continue reading the article

Robert Herjavec spoke briefly at the end of the article about Shark Tank

This year, Herjavec and O’Leary will be examining twice as many deals, since they’re both also cast as judges on the U.S. version of the show, “Shark Tank.” Produced by reality TV titan Mark Burnett (“Survivor,” “The Apprentice”), it’s set to debut on ABC in January.

Herjavec said the U.S. show will be a harder-edged take on the franchise, which originated in Japan and has spawned versions in England, Australia and eastern Europe. That tougher stance is clear by the name-change, he notes.

“It’s a typical American versus Canadian thing. The Americans, they don’t just want you to be a shark, they want you to be a shark who’s about to kill and eat something,” he said.

“We’re going to be the American sharks, proving that Canadians, once again, are much better at everything,” he joked.

I am excited to find out that the show will be “harder-edged” then Dragon’s Den. I expect the Sharks to be much more like Simon Cowell, blunt, to the point and at times quite critical. Kevin O’Leary will fit right in, take a look at this clip from the seond season of Dragon’s Den and you will see what I mean.

Introducing the Sharks

Monday, March 30th, 2009

Previously we announced that Kevin O’Leary and Robert Herjavec would be some of the Shark Tank investor. I am happy to announce that
Kevin Harrington, Barbara Corcoran and Daymond John will be joining them.

Barbara Corcoran
barb-about3
Barbara Corcoran is a self-made millionaire. After borrowing $1000 from her boyfriend and quitting her job she started a real estate company in New York City. Twenty-five years later she grew The Corcoran Group into a five-billion-dollar real estate business.
In 2001 Barbara sold The Corcoran Group for $70 million.  After selling her business she wrote the book “If You Don’t Have Big Breasts, Put Ribbons on Your Pigtails” which became a national best-seller.
Barbara continues to be the real estate contributor for NBC’s Today Show and CNBC, and she’s a columnist for The Daily News, MORE magazine and Redbook.

Kevin Harrington

Kevin Harringon

Kevin Harrington is the CEO of TVGoods.com and the Co-founder of OmniReliant Holding. He is considered to be a pioneer in the Infomercial Industry.  In 1984 Kevin filmed his first infomercial. 25 years and over 500 shows late and he has had sales over $4 billion.
Kevin has taken his infomercial business around the world, opening offices in London, Tokyo, Sao Paulo and Jaddah (Saudi Arabia).

Daymond John
Daymond John
Daymond John is best know for his fashion line FUBU which he started in 1992. After seeing a over priced tie-top had selling for $20 he decided he could make and sell them himself. His mother taught him how to use a sewing machine and he begin selling the hats which turned into FUBU. FUBU’s collection later expanded to include hockey jerseys, t-shirts and baseball caps, all embroidered with the FUBU label.
With early support from John’s friend, entertainer LL Cool J, FUBU quickly became one of the leading urban clothing lines, setting fashion trends initially for young Americans. However, FUBU’s popularity extended beyond the inner city, from suburban malls in the Midwest to Russian Internet sites, making it a true international powerhouse.

Kevin O’Leary

Kevin O’Leary knows all about obtaining money. The Montreal native made a fortune helping to develop an educational software company in the 1980s and ’90s that eventually sold to Mattel in 1999 for $4.2 billion. After that success he move to the storage business, selling his stake in Storage Now in 2007 for $110 million. He’s now chair of Gencap Funds LP, which manages several global equity funds. Mr. O’Leary’s also co-hosts a show about invention on Business News Network.

O’Leary is all about the money, often ignoring spay stories and concentration on profit. “I don’t worry about people’s feelings when it comes to money. I worry about their money.” He says. I like to just speak the facts. If people find that emotionally distressing, so what? I speak the truth.”

Robert Herjavec

Robert Herjavec’s parents did not have money, and he tells the story of how his mother, a Croatian immigrant with a poor command of English, once bought a vacuum cleaner from a smooth-talking door-to-door salesman. Or at least she thought she’d bought it, with a sizeable payment. It wasn’t until 12-year-old Robert came home from school and read the contract that she realized the payment was part of a lease, to be just one of many. He says he vowed then never to be taken advantage of again
Robert waited tables to put himself through school. After school he saw the opportunity in IT and founded his own company BRAK systems. BRAK systems soon became Canada’s top Internet security provider. In 2000 he sold is company to AT&T for $100 Million. Soon after Robert helped negotiate the sale of another tech company for $225 million. Lately Robert has been heading up The Herjavec Group, which is Canada’s Fastest growing IT Security company.

ABC orders seven episodes of Shark Tank

Monday, March 30th, 2009

Get ready to swim with the sharks. The Hollywood Reporter has announced that Mark Burnett and ABC will bring the popular U.K. reality show “Dragon’s Den” to an American audience.

Entrepreneurs will pitch their business to five Multimillionaire investors (Sharks). The Entrepreneurs must then convince the Sharks to invest at least what they have asked for or they go home empty handed.

“People are looking to be entrepreneurs to get ahead, yet there’s no way anybody can go into a bank right now and get a loan,” Burnett said. “For these entrepreneurs, these sharks are their last stop.”

The ABC version will be called Shark Tank and will be bigger than previous shows.

“We have made bigger deals and more deals in our pilot than (other versions) make all season,” Burnett said.

“We’ve been excited about the ‘Dragon’s Den’ format for years, but we didn’t go forward at first because we thought it felt too small,” said Vicki Dummer, co-head of alternative at ABC.

The pilot was going to be shot in a huge auditorium, with the sharks seeing behind a desk. Unlike the U.K. and Canadian version where the space is small and intimate and the “Dragons” are seated in simple chairs. Some of the changes distracted from what made Dragon’s Den great: the interpersonal tension between ambitious entrepreneurs struggling to convince five strangers to part with their money.

“The layers we added for a big huge show we’ve ended up peeling back to make the show more like the original,” Dummer said. “The core essence of the show works, and they’ve done a terrific job with it.”

Although no airdate has been announced I would assume that it will premiere next season.

“What country on earth is more entrepreneurial and risk taking than the United States of America? Here we have businesses and jobs being created, and it’s a great feeling.” Says Burnett