09
- August
2010
Posted By : Thomas Gilmore
Family Movie Night Makes a Comeback

Walmart and P&G Present the Jensen Project

A funny thing happened on the way to 1,000 cable and satellite stations—it became harder to find quality family entertainment on television. Gone are the days of the wonderful world of the Sunday night movie. With unlimited choices, questionable content and repetitive story lines, television programming just isn’t what it used to be. Or, so it would seem.

On July 16th, NBC aired a unique program, presented by Walmart, Procter & Gamble and Moms 4 Family TV. The Jensen Project brings together all of what makes television programming great—compelling plot, superb acting, and appropriate content. The high-tech thriller starts with members of the Thompson family called back into service of the top secret Jensen Project to save the world from an international conspiracy. Along the way the adventure provides positive messages for families and lessons for kids, as well as some interesting product placement and grassroots social marketing.

In a seamless placement of Procter & Gamble’s PUR water filtration technology, one of the “in the laboratory” moments showcases an impressive product demo of the safe drinking water purification in action. My eleven-year-old son even stood up and took notice. Our proceeding conversation revolved around the technology and how companies—like P&G—research new products and develop tools to help mankind—certainly not the type of discussion we have after Sponge Bob (no offense Sponge Bob, we love you too). Just as with the previous Family Movie Night program, Secrets of the Mountain,

While simple and tasteful messaging from Walmart and P&G supported the programming with limited commercial interruption, the story was marketed the old-fashioned way—through word of mouth. As more and more moms (and dads) around the country caught news of the program, social media buzz took off in anticipation of the wholesome show. In addition to an aggressive •••, the initiative was promoted with Family Movie Night Facebook Group.

The program’s cast include Brody Thompson, Alyssa Diaz, Kellie Martin (Life Goes On and ER), Brady Smith, Patricia Richardson (Home Improvement), David Andrews (Apollo 13) and Levar Burton (Yes, that Levar Burton of Roots, PBS Reading Rainbow and Star Trek: The Next Generation).

Family Movie Night Facebook Group

The Jensen Project

Secrets of the Mountain

A Walk in My Shoes

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