By Keysha Whitaker

Andrew Morrison's new internet TV show challenges business owners to next level.

How many weeks does it take to take an entrepreneur to turn their idea into a profitable business? Sixteen, according to international business coach and motivational speaker Andrew Morrison, and his new internet television reality show - The 16 Week Challenge - aims to prove it.

"I've worked with thousands of people from Hawaii to West Africa. The one thing I've discovered is that we all have ideas but very few of us are taking the necessary steps to put these ideas into action," said Morrison. "This show will inspire others to start manifesting their dreams despite the lack of money, knowledge or connections."

The show - which is actually "a reality show about trying to make a reality show" - will follow 12 entrepreneurs, mostly minorities, as they subject themselves to Morrison's tutelage, and the coaching of his 150 member volunteer team of business professionals worldwide - a team he calls the "Brain Trust."

Contestant entrepreneurs vary from a couple that sells antioxidant supplements for pets to a cousin duo with aspirations for a new fashion line that "accentuates the beauty of a woman". The contestants will be carrying their own camera to document their progress in addition to participating in filmed sessions.

Anthony McCann, the owner of Funky Fork Silver, is a self-proclaimed "forkologist." He designs and creates jewelry from antique silverware. He currently street vends and sells his creations at flea markets and shows across the country with pieces priced anywhere from $20 - $500.

His challenge: "I want to build up my name recognition and my brand to where I can get rid of more of [my designs]," said McCann.

McCann says the varying business styles of the contestants will make The 16 Week Challenge an interesting show.

"We are vendors; we are flexible," said McCann. "For us, every day is different."

Contestant Crystal Fields-Sam is starting from scratch with her company Parallel Prints, which will sell promotional and marketing items. "I want to start something that provides a service to the community," said Fields-Sam.

Her challenge: "I will be starting a business from scratch so navigating the fields of paperwork and licenses will be a challenge," said Fields-Sam. But the contestants aren't the only ones who are being challenged by Morrison. Viewers will be invited to submit their own video that documents their personal 16 week challenge for a chance to win a $10,000 prize. Web cam conference calls and chats will also pull in the online audience.

Unlike his big network counterparts, Morrison's reality show is starting with few sponsors, in fact only one: Pinnacle Systems, Inc. which makes the video capture device and editing software that will produce the show.

Morrison said the lack of sponsors and paid advertising is deliberate.

"I want to show you how to get started with nothing," said Morrison, who has also challenged himself to make $100,000 by the end of the show.

Clarence Treadwell of Escalator Cleaning Company in Brooklyn, New York, attests to the potency of Morrison's Tutelage. Treadwell's company is the only one in the nation that can clean escalators without removing them off the track; cutting down on out of service time significantly for its customers.

"He is a great asset to minority business owners who want to step into the next level," said Treadwell, who recently became the majority shareholder in his company after Morrison's guidance.

Audrey Bell-Kearney, president of Sister Inc., "a media network that shines the spotlight on women in business" is a member of the Brain Trust.

"It will be most challenging for the contestants to stay focused and maintain time management," said Bell-Kearney. "They're going to need tough skin." The new weekly 60 minute program premieres on Tuesday, April 22 at 10 p.m. EST at http://www.16weekchallenge.com/.

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Keysha Whitaker is a freelance journalist and author of the new series for teen girls, "Hickeys, Hiccups and Homework: A Teenage Girl's Guide." Her mission is to educate, empower and entertain people through her writing. For contact info, visit www.keyshawhitaker.com.

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PRESS RELEASE 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(New York, NY-- March 2008) Andrew Morrison's The 16 Week Challenge™ is a “live” internet reality show which follows 12 average individuals, with just an idea, as they struggle to make their dreams come true in only 16 weeks, while creating an actual reality show for a major television network. International Business Coach and motivational speaker, Andrew Morrison, President of Small Business Camp, will also challenge himself to make $100,000 at the same time. This weekly 60 minute program is set to begin on Tuesday, April 22nd at 10pm EST by going online at www.16weekchallenge.com.

Show creator, Morrison remarked, “I’ve worked with thousands of people from Hawaii to West Africa. The one thing I’ve discovered is that we all have ideas but very few of us are taking the necessary steps to put these ideas into action. This show will inspire others to start manifesting their dreams despite the lack of money, knowledge or connections. Now you can sit back and learn the insider secrets to turning your ideas into cash.”

The 16 Week Challenge™ is the first attempt to deliver a true reality show about a reality show. A Brain Trust of volunteers will enable the host to show mastery in several areas. As a part of the story-line, celebrities in the areas of sports, politics and entertainment will be asked to become a part of the show to share and report on the progress of their 16 Week™ goals. A surprise ending is planned for the contestants and members of The Brain Trust.

Web camera conference calls and chat features will be used extensively to involve the online audience. Interactive as well as inspiring, viewers will be able to vote on show elements such as logo choices to programming. They will be invited to submit video that documents their own 16 week challenge and enter the online contest with a $10,000 prize. Elements such as an online social lending network, advice segments from Fortune 500 CEO’s, and video chat capability marry the best of Web 2.0 and reality TV to create a dynamic experience on both sides of the keyboard.

A Brain Trust of online business professionals will provide resource support for participants but the real deal breakers are the contestants .

“I am kind of scared to appear on a reality television show and let everyone know my business,” confessed contestant Tiffany White. “But I’ve been sitting on a great business concept for a long time. The 16 Week Challenge™ is just the kick-in-the-pants that I need to get things going.”

The audience will also be able to witness host and producer Morrison actively attract sponsors, publicity and viewers to the show. The very first sponsor to come on board is Pinnacle Systems, Inc. the makers of Pinnacle Studio™ Version 11 – a video capture device and editing software.

“When I first heard this concept for an internet TV show, I was pretty intrigued. It’s great that Andrew Morrison and his team are using one of our products. I think this show will help millions of people to see how easy it is to capture, edit and broadcast their own video,” said Tanguy Leborgne, Systems Vice President of Worldwide Marketing for Pinnacle Systems, the consumer division of Avid Technology, Inc.  

To unveil The 16 Week Challenge™ Television Show the program’s developer as well as the show’s producer/host have scheduled a press party at Maya's Lounge & Indian Restaurant, located at 14 E 33rd St, (btwn. Madison & 5th Ave), in New York City on Tuesday, April 8th at 6 p.m.

You can watch the first episode of The 16 Week Challenge™ TV Show on Tuesday, April 22nd at 10pm online at www.16weekchallenge.com.  

About Andrew Morrison:

Andrew Morrison is the founder of Small Business Camp - an entrepreneurial training, coaching and consulting firm. Previously he built a multi-million dollar company by providing innovative direct marketing services to Fortune 500 companies. He appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show – Young Millionaires and was featured in the Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, The Network Journal, Crain's Magazine 40 Under 40, and Advertising Age. The Direct Marketing Association awarded Andrew the prestigious Young Direct Marketer of the Year Award . In February of 2007, he trained 1,200 entrepreneurs in Nigeria, West Africa. Andrew recently completed his first book entitled, "21 Questions That Can Build Your Business in 90 Days."

About Pinnacle Studio Version 11 Software

To meet the video authoring and budget needs of consumers, ranging from beginners to experienced users, the award-winning Pinnacle Studio™ version 11 families of products includes Pinnacle Studio, Pinnacle Studio Plus and Pinnacle Studio Ultimate. Equipped with powerful personal video creation and sharing capabilities, Pinnacle Studio software can be used to create Hollywood-style DVDs that can be played on any set-top DVD player or PC. The Pinnacle Studio version 11 family of products is available now through e-tail and retail stores.  

About Pinnacle Systems, Inc.

Pinnacle Systems, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Avid Technology, Inc., is an industry leader in providing a complete set of home video editing and TV viewing tools for the consumer market. The company’s product lines including Pinnacle PCTV™, Dazzle®, Pinnacle ShowCenter®, and its flagship Pinnacle Studio™ line, cover the needs and requirements of any level of video storytellers or consumers who simply want to enjoy TV from their computer. Pinnacle Systems has received nine prestigious Emmy® Awards for its technical innovations and carries the commitment to help consumers enhance, preserve and share their memories with ease. For more information, visit www.pinnaclesys.com.  

About Avid Technology, Inc.

Avid is a worldwide leader in tools for film, video, audio, 3D animation, gaming and broadcast professionals – as well as for home audio and video enthusiasts. Avid professional and consumer brands include Avid, Digidesign, M-Audio, Pinnacle Systems, Sibelius, Softimage and Sundance Digital. The vast majority of primetime television shows, feature films, commercials and chart-topping music hits are made using one or more Avid products. Whether used by seasoned professionals or beginning students, Avid’s products and services enable customers to work more efficiently, productively and creatively. Avid received an Oscar® statuette representing the 1998 Scientific and Technical Award for the concept, design, and engineering of the Avid® Film Composer® system for motion picture editing. For more information about the company’s Oscar, Grammy® and Emmy award-winning products and services, visit www.avid.com.

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MEDIA ALERT

Small Business Camp To Announce Newest Venture: Web-Based, Reality Television Series- The 16 Week Challenge™  

WHAT: Andrew Morrison's The 16 Week Challenge™ is a “live” internet reality show which will follow twelve entrepreneurs armed with an idea, as they struggle to make their dreams come true in 16 weeks. Under Mr. Morrison instruction and mentoring, together they will create a reality television show for a major network. International Business Coach and motivational speaker, Andrew Morrison, President of Small Business Camp, will also challenge himself to make $100,000 at the same time. This weekly 60 minute program is set to begin on Tuesday, April 22nd at 10pm EST by going online at www.16weekchallenge.com.  

WHY: Opportunity to interview the show’s creator/host, contestants, sponsors and Brain Trust of on-line volunteers. Learn about the show’s usage of the latest Web 2.0 technologies that are making it possible to produce an interactive television show. 

WHERE: Maya's Lounge & Indian Restaurant
14 E 33rd St (Between Madison & 5th Avenues) in New York City  

WHEN: Tuesday, April 8th at 6 p.m. EST 

WHO: Andrew Morrison is founder of Small Business Camp - an entrepreneurial training, coaching and consulting firm. He is also the host and creator of The 16 Week Challenge Television Show. Mr. Morrison has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show – “Young Millionaires” segment, and was featured in publications such as: The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, The Network Journal, Crain's Magazine “40 Under 40 Professionals”, and Advertising Age. The Direct Marketing Association awarded Mr. Morrison its prestigious Young Direct Marketer of the Year Award. In February of 2007, he trained 1,200 entrepreneurs in Nigeria, West Africa. Earlier this year, Mr. Morrison completed his first book entitled, "21 Questions That Can Build Your Business in 90 Days."

Contact Lucinda Cross, LC Associates, 914-309-8796, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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