Years ago when I was still writing the Children’s Miracle Network Telethon (CMN), I would get a call about every month or so from someone who was interested in producing a telethon and wanted to learn how CMN did it. Of course I did my level best to dissuade them because who needs the competition, right? But beyond that everyone that called thought that producing a telethon was a matter of setting up a telephone bank and hiring a camera crew. If only. They didn’t know about the $2 million budget, the crew of hundreds, the satellite uplinks and downlinks, the celebrity contract riders, the script of 40,000 words, and a million (no exaggeration) other details. I'll never forget leading a CNN producer around backstage at the Children's Miracle Network telethon at Disney World and the look of awe on her face. It really was a big, complicated show. All these years later, telethons are breathing their last, the victim of 500-channel universe and other modern challenges I’ve highlight...
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