Project Proposal:

"The Real Donald Trump"
Trumping Trump

Project Name:

"The Real Donald Trump"

Project Tagline:

Trumping Trump

Project Producer:

Founded by Dustin Gold, CEO of William Gold Entertainment, LLC, an entertainment producer, and James Greenwood, CEO of MediaGraphics, Inc., a political consultant, Worldwide Freedom Strategies, Inc. (WFS•INC) is a strategic digital agency focused on the development, production, and distribution of innovative politically-themed entertainment properties.

WFS•INC lives by the credo, “we are presently non-partisan..." "The Real Donald Trump" says what you tell him to say, does what you tell him to do, and appears where you tell him to appear. There are no limits as to what “The Real Donald Trump” will do for you, your brand, your organization, or your issue.

PROJECT Summary:

World-renowned actress, comedienne, writer, and producer Tina Fey is perhaps most known for her iconic portrayal of Governor Sarah Palin on NBC’s Saturday Night Live (SNL). Whether carefully orchestrated, or completely organic, Fey’s comedic impression, featured on SNL throughout the 2008 presidential election cycle, was partially responsible for branding Governor Palin as ditzy, dull, and dim-witted – a negative brand Palin has had to confront throughout her lengthy post vice presidential bid career. Over the years, Governor Palin has been repeatedly ridiculed for having said, “I can see Russia from my house.” The truth be told, Sarah Palin – Governor – never actually made that statement; it was, in fact, the other Sarah Palin – Tina Fey – who uttered that infamous phrase. Managing a team of professional strategic partners, WFS•INC will utilize similar comedy-driven propaganda techniques, designed specifically for maximum political disruption, against international businessman, real estate mogul, reality television personality, and 2016 Republican presidential frontrunner Donald J. Trump.

For the primary purpose of deploying a comedic Donald Trump doppelgänger (branded "The Real Donald Trump") to shadow Donald J. Trump’s presidential campaign, WFS•INC will fuse a comedic improvisational character actor, like Sasha Baron Cohen of the mockumentary film "Borat," Hollywood-quality prosthetic makeup, similar to that worn by Johnny Knoxville in the hidden-camera comedy feature "Bad Grandpa," and cutting edge writers from television programs such as "The Daily Show" with Jon Stewart, "The Colbert Report" with Stephen Colbert, and “Real Time with Bill Maher.” “The Real Donald Trump” will be available for production of daily digital media content, as well as for other forms of media including live events, media appearances, live streaming broadcasts, new media cameos, print ads, radio spots, and commercials.

“The Real Donald Trump” will launch with a similar integrated multimedia marketing campaign to that created by Wieden & Kennedy for Kentucky Fried Chicken's (KFC) 2015 relaunch of the beloved KFC founder Colonel Sanders (portrayed by SNL alumnus Darrell Hammond). Consisting of logo, web banner, and poster graphics, content delivery network, interactive multimedia website, and cross-platform mobile application development, and social media, email, and search engine optimization strategy, WFS•INC will develop a comprehensive branding, digital, and marketing solution for the launch of “The Real Donald Trump.”

WFS•INC will oversee pre-production, production, and post-production of approximately fifty (50) 15-90-second targeted kick off videos which will be released in parallel to “The Real Donald Trump” integrated multimedia marketing campaign. Digital media content, including the kick off videos, will live on the interactive multimedia website and integrated cross-platform mobile application, and will be distributed through various methods including the dedicated content delivery network, video-on-demand partner platforms, and third party content networks.

Using its extensive network of established media industry relationships, WFS•INC aims to place "The Real Donald Trump" on a range of television, radio, and new media programs including morning talk, primetime infotainment, and late night comedy in order to promote the digital media content. Combining traditional marketing techniques, including public relations management, talent booking, and direct marketing with proven non-traditional guerrilla marketing tactics, such as high profile publicity stunts, hijacking of televised media events, and carefully crafted rapid response infomercials, WFS•INC will harness maximum media exposure while navigating numerous moving parts, managing a lean budget, and balancing a tight timetable.

Project Schedule:

The following production schedule is illustrative based on an assumed implementation the week of October 23, 2015. It can be rolled back based on a later start date. Assuming an October implementation, we are confident the creative could be produced and ready for launch by January 1, 2015 -- one month out from the February 1, 2015 Iowa Caucus, which is followed by the New Hampshire and South Carolina Primaries along with the Nevada Caucus also in February, which is plenty of time to have an impact on the primary elections.

Week 1: October 2, 2015-October 8, 2015

• Project Planning
• Establish Holdings Company

Week 2: October 9, 2015-October 15, 2015

• Project Planning
• Establish Holdings Company

Week 3: October 16, 2015-October 22, 2015

• Secure Funding, Project Green Lighted
• Establish Holdings Company

Week 4: October 23, 2015-October 29, 2015

• Character Makeup Design

Week 5: October 30, 2015-Nov 5, 2015

• Character Makeup Design

Week 6: Nov 6, 2015-Nov 12, 2015

• Character Makeup Design

Week 7: Nov 13, 2015-Nov 19, 2015

• Character Makeup Design
• Digital/Social Media Strategy, Design, & Development

Week 8: Nov 20, 2015-Nov 26, 2015

• Character Makeup Design
• Digital/Social Media Strategy, Design, & Development

Week 9: Nov 27, 2015-Dec 3, 2015

• Character Makeup Design
• Digital/Social Media Strategy, Design, & Development

Week 10: Dec 4, 2015-Dec 10, 2015

• Character Makeup Design
• Digital/Social Media Strategy, Design, & Development
• Kick Off Digital Content (Pre-Production)

Week 11: Dec 11, 2015-Dec 17, 2015

• Character Makeup Design
• Digital/Social Media Strategy, Design, & Development
• Kick Off Digital Content (Pre-Production)
• Kick Off Photo Shoot

Week 12: Dec 18, 2015-Dec 24, 2015

• Digital/Social Media Strategy, Design, & Development
• Kick Off Digital Content (Production)
• Public Relations

Week 13: Dec 25, 2015-Dec 31, 2015

• Digital/Social Media Strategy, Design, & Development
• Kick Off Digital Content (Post-Production)
• Public Relations

Week 14: January 1, 2016-January 7, 2016

• Public Relations
• Kick Off Media Tour

Week 15: January 8, 2016-January 14, 2016

• Public Relations
• Media Tour

Week 16: January 15, 2016-January 21, 2016

• Public Relations
• Media Tour

Week 17: January 22, 2016-January 28, 2016

• Public Relations
• Media Tour

Week 18: January 29, 2016-February 4, 2016

• Public Relations
• Media Tour

Note: The above schedule is preliminary and will be used as a guideline for the production process. This schedule may vary in length depending on the number of variables.

Project Budget:

Establish Production

• $106,250

Character Makeup Design

• Tier-A / $174,375, or
• Tier-B / $121,250, or
• Tier-C / $97,500

Digital/Social Media Strategy, Design, & Development

• $156,250

Kick Off Photo Shoot

• $22,187.50

Kick Off Digital Content (Pre-Production, Production, and Post-Production)

• $258,906.25

Kick Off Media Tour/Media Tour

• $495,312.50

Ongoing

• Approximate ongoing costs for production management, actor, makeup, minimum road crew, and travel and accommodations. For roughly the same budget, the actor and crew can travel by plane to various appearances, tour the country in a wrapped motor coach, or be stationed in a production studio creating digital content. One cameraman will always be with the crew in order to capture content on the road.
  • By The Day / $37,187.50
  • By The Week / $120,312.50
  • By The Month / $375,000

Media Buy Options

• Initial test media airtime would be acquired through providers (DishTV, DirecTV, Comcast, and TWC) on media platforms, including Fox News Channel, CNN, MSNBC, The Blaze, Newsmax, and One America News network, as well as other media outlets such as talk-radio venues, including Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, and Mark Levin. With our direct response marketing partner’s model of targeted media buys, we can purchase media to reach over 115 million households through various cable and satellite networks at very reasonable prices. We have proven test media that provides us the data we need to determine the projected success of a campaign. Based on the metrics from initial campaign tests we will develop a media schedule based on providers, stations, and programming.
  • TBD

Project Phase Summary:

Establish Production

• Establish funding schedule, agree on legal structure, and secure appropriate insurance.

Character Makeup Design (Tier-A, Tier-B, Tier-C)

• Utilizing state-of-the-art prosthetic makeup, designed and developed by Award-winning Hollywood makeup artists, will provide the national media with a Donald Trump impersonator worthy of ongoing coverage.

Digital/Social Media Strategy, Design, & Development

• Consisting of logo, web banner, and poster graphics, content delivery network, interactive multimedia website, and cross-platform mobile application development, and social media, email, and search engine optimization strategy, WFS•INC will develop a comprehensive branding, digital, and marketing solution.

Kick Off Photo Shoot

• Shoot and edit a library of professional high resolution photographs for use in ongoing digital media properties.

Kick Off Digital Content Production

• Pre-production, production, and post-production of approximately fifty (50) 15-90-second kick off videos.

Kick Off Media Tour/Media Tour

• Using its extensive network of established media industry relationships, WFS•INC aims to place "The Real Donald Trump" on a range of television, radio, and new media programs including morning talk, primetime infotainment, and late night comedy in order to promote the digital media content. Combining traditional marketing techniques, including public relations management, talent booking, and direct marketing with proven non-traditional guerrilla marketing tactics, such as high profile publicity stunts, hijacking of televised media events, and carefully crafted rapid response infomercials, WFS•INC will harness maximum media exposure while navigating numerous moving parts, managing a lean budget, and balancing a tight timetable.

Project Team:

Executive Produced

• Free Speech Rules

Produced/Managed

• WFSINC

Makeup Oversight

• ABFX

Content/Writing

• Sack Creative

Social/Digital Media Strategy

• Krakauer Media

CDN Development

• Brightcove

Web Platform Development

• Harris Media

Mobile Platform Development

• Fueled

Photography

• MsDig Photography

Digital Media Production

• EUXmedia

Direct Response Marketing

• Rapid Response TV

Digital Distribution

• Gravitas Ventures

Three KEY OBJECTIVES:

PROPOSED PHASES:

1. PHASE 1: Pre-Production
   • WFS, Inc. will establish and register a subsidiary company of WFS, Inc. to be used exclusively for this project.
   • WFS, Inc. will cast and develop a comedic improvisational character actor who will portray Donald Trump.
   • WFS, Inc. will design, develop, and commission a Hollywood-quality Donald Trump prosthetic makeup.
   • WFS, Inc. will design, develop, and create graphics, a branded interactive website, dedicated content delivery platform, and mobile application.
   • WFS, Inc. will design an interactive multimedia “Donald Trump History” timeline.
   • WFS, Inc. will develop and deploy strategic social media, search engine optimization, and email marketing campaigns.
2. PHASE 2: Production
   • WFS, Inc. will write, produce, and edit roughly fifty (50) kick-off videos, ranging from 15-seconds to 100-seconds, which will be distributed through the dedicated content delivery platform, and through its network of multi-channel video-on-demand distribution partners.
3. PHASE 3: Launch
   • WFS, Inc. will organize, launch, and promote a two week media tour.
4. PHASE 4: Ongoing
   • WFS, Inc. is prepared to produce daily, weekly, and monthly formatted content, as well as schedule, produce, and promote live events, media appearances, and publicity stunts.
   • The opportunity to produce, distribute, and promote a mockumentary feature movie filmed around “The Real Donald Trump” campaign tour, similar to Sacha Baron Cohen’s Borat and Johnny Knoxville’s Bad Grandpa, is being discussed.

PROPOSED BUDGET (broken Down Below):

1. Phase 1: Pre-Production
   • $382,187.50-$459,062.50
     • Subsidiary Establishment
       • $106,250
     • Character/Makeup Design
       • Tier-A
         • $174,375
       • Tier-B
         • $121,250
       • Tier-C
         • $97,500
     • Digital Media Design
       • $156,250
     • Photo Shoot
       • $22,187.50
2. Phase 2: Production
   • $258,906.25
     • Launch Digital Content Production
       • $258,906.25
3. Phase 3: Launch
   • $236,875
     • Two Week Media Tour
       • $236,875
4. Phase 4: Ongoing (Daily Flights Travel, Bus Tour, and/or In-Studio Production)
   • Approximately
     • Day
       • $37,187.50
     • Week
       • $120,312.50
     • Month
       • $375,000

Proposed Funding Options:

Three Proposed Funding Options:

1. Option 1: Funded As Entertainment
   • Steps
     • WFS, Inc. will set up and manage an LLC subsidiary exclusive to this project
     • Your financiers will make an investment directly into the project through WFS, Inc.’s LLC subsidiary
     • Your investment will be earmarked for, and spent exclusively on, this project
   • Pros/Cons
     • Pros
       • All content created would be independently funded politically-themed comedic entertainment, therefore
         • Distribution opportunities would be unlimited
         • Sponsors and advertisers could be attached to the content
         • Content would not have to be labeled as political content
         • News outlets could feature the digital media content, or have the impersonator on television for an appearance, as strictly entertainment
     • Cons
       • A larger liability insurance policy must be purchased
2. Option 2: Funded As Political
   • Steps
     • Your team will set up and manage a 501(c)(4)
     • Your financiers will donate money to your 501(c)(4)
     • Your team will set up and manage a Super PAC
     • Your 501(c)(4) will donate the money to your Super PAC
     • WFS, Inc. will set up and manage an LLC subsidiary exclusive to this project
     • Your Super PAC will hire WFS, Inc.’s LLC subsidiary as a contracted consultant
   • Pros/Cons
     • Pros
       • Your financiers will remain anonymous by donating to your 501(c)(4)
       • You can spend unlimited funds on political attack ads through your Super PAC
       • There would be an added level of legal protection by running all attack ads through your Super PAC
     • Cons
       • All content created would be considered political ads, therefore:
         • Distribution opportunities would be limited
         • Sponsors and advertisers would be limited
         • All content would have to be labeled as “paid for by [your political organization]”
         • It is likely that any news outlet which agrees to feature any of the digital media content, or have the impersonator on television, would have to acknowledge that it was funded by your Super PAC
3. Option 3: Contract For Hire
   • Steps
     • WFS, Inc. will set up and manage an LLC subsidiary exclusive to this project
     • Either
       • Your 501(c)(4), PAC, or other political organization, will contract WFS, Inc. for political advertising, or
       • Your non-political organization will hire WFS, Inc. to develop non-political content for your organization, or
       • Your non-political organization will pay WFS, Inc. to develop non-political sponsored content for your organization
   • Pros/Cons
     • Pros
       • Your organization does not have to invest in WFS, Inc.
       • Your organization can purchase content as needed
     • Cons
       • Your organization will have less control over overall content

CHARACTER Study:

Donald Trump Makeup Study:

Donald Trump Face/Expression Study:

Current Donald Trump Impersonator Study:

Corporate Comedian Donald Trump Impersonators

Television Personality Donald Trump Impersonators

Voice Artist Donald Trump Impersonators

In General, There Are Three Tiers of Prosthetic Makeup Design:

Tier-A Makeup Design Samples:

Tier-A Makeup Design Combined With Top-Tier Voice Impression:

Steve Bridges as Barack Obama

Steve Bridges as George W. Bush

Steve Bridges as Bill Clinton

Steve Bridges as Arnold Schwarzenegger

Tier-A Makeup Application:

Donald Trump Voice Study:

Donald Trump Voice Samples:

Current Donald Trump Voice Impersonators (compared against Donald Trump):

WFS, Inc. Improvisational Comedic Character Actor Voice Demo:

Donald Trump Character Wrap Up:

Donald Trump Character Actor:

Currently, there are only three Donald Trump impersonators who regularly perform at corporate events and appear for cameos on television programs,  but none of their character portrayals (voice, physical appearance, and mannerisms combined) are of high enough quality for this project. WFS, Inc. has identified and secured an exclusive agreement with a comedic improvisational character actor who is ready, willing, and able to develop a Donald Trump character for this project, and who has committed to sticking with the project for the long haul regardless of backlash. During the development phase, WFS, Inc.’s comedic improvisational character actor has asked to remain anonymous. In addition to the lead comedic improvisational character actor, WFS, Inc. has secured two backup comedic improvisational character actors for emergency situations that may arise unexpectedly. One of our founding partners, WGe, LLC, has cast, developed, and managed several comedic improvisational character actors on numerous occasions for past appearances, as well as ongoing projects similar to this one.

For a sample project developed for a political marketing firm during the 2013 Virginia gubernatorial election which was funded by billionaire political activist Tom Steyer and his political action committee NextGen Climate Action.

Donald Trump Voice:

WFS, Inc.’s comedic improvisational character actor studied Donald Trump’s voice for only one day prior to recording a demo. WFS, Inc's actor's knowledge of material, sentence structure, and improvisational abilities are exceptional. The tone of the Trump voice and New York accent need some tweaking, but overall, the voice is quite impressive, especially for a first pass demo. With maximum impact in mind, WFS, Inc. prefers to develop the Trump voice for this project into a carefully blended balance of realism and parody.

WFS, Inc.’s comedic improvisational character actor will be paired with one of Will Ferrell's voice coaches who WGe, LLC has worked with on several projects. As soon as this project is green-lit, WFS, Inc.’s comedic improvisational character actor will start working with the coach on a daily basis. The process to get the Trump voice fairly close will take about two weeks, however WFS, Inc.’s comedic improvisational character actor will continue to work with the coach throughout the entire project.

With a fine tuned voice impression, Hollywood-quality prosthetic makeup, refined mannerisms, professional improvisational skills, high impact writing, and commanding height, our Donald Trump character will be extremely commanding.

Overall Social Media Strategy:

Managed by Krakauer Media, a WFS, Inc. partner

Goals:

• To grow the social accounts associated with "The Real Donald Trump" project
• To create compelling content for specific social audiences, or tailor existing content to the specific platforms
• To draw people to the website, to an email list, and/or to some other secondary source beyond social

Overall Strategy and Tactics:

• Use Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube (and possibly Snapchat and others) to highlight "The Real Donald Trump" digital presence and what’s happening on a regular basis
• Establish a “voice” for the accounts that Krakauer Media can use when overseeing the social media accounts
• Provide a sustained and lengthy digital life cycle for all content produced, maximizing exposure and potential for each
• Experiment with a variety of social content while using metrics to quickly assess and course-correct

Services:

• Execute comprehensive launch strategy on social media to drive awareness and interest in "The Real Donald Trump" project
• Create buzz for the project by targeting specific communities on social media
• Provide regular and detailed metrics and analytics reporting to all key stakeholders, including adjustments made and the reasons why
• Tailored outreach to Krakauer Media’s exclusive media list
• Launch original social/digital content that could become sustainable, long-term franchises
• Coordinate internally and with external outlets to expand the reach of social content and strategy
• General social media consultation

Experience:

• Years of experience at major media organizations including CNN and Glenn Beck's TheBlaze
• Created original content with millions of video and page views
• Social media management of accounts with millions of followers and fans, launched accounts from scratch and saw content through entire social media lifecycle
• Experienced at digging into the analytics and metrics and generating detailed, but understandable, reporting
• Strong relationships with executives at every major social media platform
• Skilled at using and evaluating new and emerging social outlets as it relates to brands, people and organizations - recently with Snapchat, Periscope, Meerkat and Cyber Dust.
• Well-versed at quickly trying methods and tactics, finding what works and what doesn't, tinkering and improving and trying again

Founder:

Steve Krakauer is a media executive, journalist, and digital strategist with nearly a decade of experience working at major media organizations across the United States.

He spent three years at CNN in New York, where he served as the network’s first Senior Digital Producer. In that role he oversaw all digital strategy surrounding shows including "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown" and "Piers Morgan Live," and the 2012 election coverage, as well as the strategy for the network’s @CNN Twitter account, which had more than 10 million followers. Krakauer created the network’s “social TV” strategy, programmed the CNN TV box on the CNN.com homepage, and developed several internal partnerships across platforms as well as external partnerships with social media organizations.

He most recently was Vice President of Digital Content at the multi-platform media organization TheBlaze, where he oversaw the social media team. At TheBlaze, Krakauer launched and programmed the organization’s YouTube channel, growing the channel to more than 10 million views in 18 months. Krakauer developed and produced several innovative video franchises. Under Krakauer’s digital leadership, TheBlaze.com grew to new revenue highs and generated exponential growth across several brand accounts.

Krakauer began his journalism career working for several prominent media websites, including as Senior Editor (and Founding TV Editor) at mediaite.com and Associate Editor at TVNewser.com. He launched and hosted podcasts and webcasts, and appeared on Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC as a guest. He was named a “new media innovator” by New York magazine and a “rising star” by the New York Times, as well as a “media insider to follow” on Twitter by TheWrap.

Upon graduating from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications, with minors in Political Science and African American Studies, in 2006, he spent a year in NBC’s prestigious page program and worked at Fox News.

Krakauer now resides in Dallas, TX with his wife, Meghan, a Senior Publicist at Volk PR (and formerly a CNN publicist), and puppy, Lexi. He enjoys golfing, playing poker, and rooting for the Orioles and Ravens, and now, the Mavericks.

Political-Side Distribution:

Managed by Rapid Responsive Television, a WFS, Inc. Partner

Program Overview:

Rapid Response Television is not a traditional political fundraising or media agency.  We develop unique campaigns that accomplish three objectives:

• Messaging – Our ads will educate and energize the voter around "The Real Donald Trump."
• Data Acquisition – We acquire a tremendous amount of data through our proven model.  Our Call to Action (CTA) will always focus on the support for "The Real Donald Trump" and his message.  This allows us to capture and identify individuals who have the desire to defeat Donald Trump.  This data will be used to create an extensive database to be used for future fundraising, GOTV, and volunteer work.  No other technique can reach a broad audience and acquire data quicker than Rapid Response Television.
• Fundraising – Those that respond to our ads will be put through a “funnel” that educates them on the efforts of the campaign and provides an opportunity to contribute.  We will adjust the creative message to meet the objectives of the program.  We would want the message to initially focus on educating the audience on "The Real Donald Trump" and finding supporters to build a database. As we move closer to the primary we can evolve to a more fundraising focused message. This campaign will become self-funding over time.  The revenue generated from this data is from initial donations, list rentals, and prospecting generated through future phone & direct mail fundraising.

This overview sketches out the first stages of a comprehensive, integrated media campaign based on Rapid Response Television’s proven model using direct-response television (DRTV) short-form (30 & 60 sec.) ads and radio to (1) educate the public, (2) acquire lists of activists and small (<$50) donors, and (3) target voters who can both help self-finance the educational campaign focused on "The Real Donald Trump." The immediate goal is to acquire donors and build donor/activist lists via DRTV and radio.

Program Development:

The political action and public education campaign would begin with an initial DRTV 60-sec. spot, which could be developed and executed within approximately 2-4 weeks from initial concept. We would produce 2-3 short form spots with varied appeals and messages.  An inbound phone script would be developed and approved to handle the inbound telephone calls generated by the TV spots.  We also follow up through the mail to collect cash commitments of callers who do not desire to pay by credit card.   We would “micro test” the DRTV spot with targeted media buys.  The “micro test” would allow us to determine the response rate and make adjustments to the DRTV spot and the telephone interactive voice response (IVR) script based on results.  We would gradually increase the amount of money spent on media based on overall results.

Experience:

Rapid Response Television is a full-service infomercial production & media buy company that specializes in providing incredibly responsive short- and long-form infomercials providing a great value for our clients.  With our team of 5 full-time, focused employees and a talented stable of free lancers, we have the capability to produce the best creative in the industry.  Our integrity and experience have earned us a trusted reputation with our clients, vendors, and associates; and we have developed a network of seasoned professionals that consult with us on crafting the most responsive campaigns in the industry.

Rapid Response Television has run extensive DRTV & radio programs using our unique model that successfully acquired donors and produced very positive overall donor acquisition results for our non-profit clients across a broad array of conservative/free-market issues. We also have had great success acquiring donors for conservative/free-market PACs.  Although not all campaigns demonstrate immediate success, we have had multiple campaigns during the past two years perform at exceptional donor-acquisition levels and significantly grow the donor base for our clients.  Our media creative also increases the brand awareness of organizations.

The spots can be produced cost effectively with varied messages across a variety of appeals.  Because of our past successes, we have developed very good working relationships with the most important media platforms, including Fox News, The Blaze, Newsmax and other talk-radio venues, including Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity and Mark Levin.  With our model of targeted media buys, we can purchase media to reach over 115 million households through various cable and satellite networks at very reasonable prices.

A few examples of the campaigns Rapid Response Television has conducted during the past twenty-four (24) months:

• Acquired more than 400,000 new donors across 10 different organizations.
• Raised more than $10 Million through small donors (average gifts <$50).
• Invested over $4 Million on national TV & Radio to deliver our client’s message.
• Acquired more than 5 Million petition and pledge signers and organization members.
• Cost-per-Donor ranged from<$30 to a positive $30 (1.30 ROI), depending on client objectives.  (Education programs tend to generate modest negative ROI during the early stages.)
• Built substantial grassroots organizations that can be mobilized for advocacy or fund raising and eventually to turnout voters at the polls in support of candidates supporting the organizations’ positions.

Entertainment-Side Distribution:

Managed by Gravitas Ventures, a WFS, Inc. partner

strategy:

• Manage overall distribution strategy given the anticipated short turn around
• Develop a marketing strategy to best maximize awareness and, ultimately, best monetize content
• Craft a distribution strategy through various distribution models including, where appropriate, theatrical, transactional VOD, direct-to-consumer, television, subscription VOD, physical home-video-goods, ad-sponsored VOD, and non-theatrical VOD

Experience:

• One of the largest global independent film distributors
• Has distributed over 2,500 films in less than a decade
• Solid strategic relationships with studios and VOD operators
• Access to over 100 million North American and 1 billion worldwide homes
• Recent projects include "Manny," the Manny Pacquiao documentary, "Backstreet Boys" She 'Em What You're Made Of," the Backstreet Boys documentary, and Johnny Knoxville's "being Evel," a documentary about how daredevil Evel Knievel inspired Knoxville, of Jackass fame, which premiered at Sundance 2015

Founder:

Gravitas Ventures specializes in the aggregation of entertainment content by connecting independent filmmakers, producers, and distribution companies with leading cable, satellite, telco, and online distribution partners. In the last five years, Gravitas has released more than 2,000 films on Video on Demand (VOD). Through its relationships with studios and VOD operators, Gravitas can distribute a film into over 100 million North American and 1 billion worldwide homes.

While VOD is increasingly important right now, the ability to enjoy films in this manner has actually been around for a decade. CEO Nolan Gallagher founded Gravitas Ventures in 2006 after having the good fortune to help shape VOD strategies for the largest North American cable operator (Comcast), and a major studio (Warner Bros). With a simple mission to deliver ideas to the digital market, Nolan recognized that Gravitas could build a bridge between excellent independent films and consumer friendly technology offerings.

Soon after Gravitas’ inception, Nolan and Gravitas’ President and co-owner Michael Murphy began attending worldwide film festivals in search of thought provoking features and documentaries. Concurrently, they signed distribution deals with Warner Bros. Digital Distribution and over a hundred direct deals with worldwide cable and internet VOD operators.

Today, Gravitas Ventures releases over 500 films a year on VOD in all of its forms including transactional, subscription, and ad sponsored. As technology improves and new VOD opportunities arise, Gravitas will continue to stay at the forefront, bringing exceptional independent film to audiences the world over.

Phase 1: Pre-Production (10 Weeks)

Subsidiary Establishment Budget:

1. Management
   • Breakdown
     • Project Management
       • $50,000
   • Subtotal
     • $50,000
2. Legal
   • Breakdown
     • Retainer
       • $25,000
   • Subtotal
     • $25,000
3. Insurance
   • Breakdown
     • Per Year
       • $10,000
   • Subtotal
     • $10,000
4. Totals
   • Subtotal
     • $85,000
   • Production Fee
     • $21,250
   • Total
     • $106,250

Character/Makeup Design Budget:

1. Option 1: Tier-A Makeup Design
   • Character/Makeup Design
     • Breakdown
       • Makeup Design
         • Prosthetic Makeup
           • $75,000
         • Prosthetic Wig/Eyebrows
           • $10,000
         • Contact Lenses
           • $500
         • Prosthetic Teeth
           • $1,500
         • Padded Body Suit
           • $5,000
         • Costuming
           • $5,000
         • Test Makeup Application
           • Set of Prosthetic Appliances
             • $750
           • Makeup Artist/Assistant
             • $1,750
       • Comedic Improvisational Character Actor
         • Actor Fee
           • $25,000
         • Actor Assistant
           • $5,000
         • Travel/Accommodations
           • $10,000
     • Totals
       • Subtotal
         • $139,500
       • Production Fee
         • $34,875
       • Total
         • $174,375
2. Option 2: Tier-B Makeup Design
   • Character/Makeup Design
     • Breakdown
       • Makeup Design
         • Prosthetic Makeup
           • $35,000
         • Prosthetic Wig/Eyebrows
           • $7,500
         • Contact Lenses
           • $500
         • Prosthetic Teeth
           • $1,500
         • Padded Body Suit
           • $5,000
         • Costuming
           • $5,000
         • Test Makeup Application
           • Set of Prosthetic Appliances
             • $750
           • Makeup Artist/Assistant
             • $1,750
       • Comedic Improvisational Character Actor
         • Actor Fee
           • $25,000
         • Actor Assistant
           • $5,000
         • Travel/Accommodations
           • $10,000
     • Totals
       • Subtotal
         • $97,000
       • Production Fee
         • $24,250
       • Total
         • $121,250
3. Option 3: Tier-C Makeup Design
   • Character/Makeup Design
     • Breakdown
       • Makeup Design
         • Prosthetic Makeup
           • $20,000
         • Prosthetic Wig/Eyebrows
           • $3,500
         • Contact Lenses
           • $500
         • Prosthetic Teeth
           • $1,500
         • Padded Body Suit
           • $5,000
         • Costuming
           • $5,000
         • Test Makeup Application
           • Set of Prosthetic Appliances
             • $750
           • Makeup Artist/Assistant
             • $1,750
       • Comedic Improvisational Character Actor
         • Actor Fee
           • $25,000
         • Actor Assistant
           • $5,000
         • Travel/Accommodations
           • $10,000
     • Totals
       • Subtotal
         • $78,000
       • Production Fee
         • $19,500
       • Total
         • $97,500

Digital Media Design Budget:

1. Digital Media
   • Breakdown
     • Graphic Design
       • $10,000
     • Web Development
       • $50,000
     • Interactive Career Timeline
       • $15,000
     • Social Media Umbrella Strategy
       • $25,000
     • Eblast System
       • $10,000
     • Travel/Accommodations
       • $15,000
   • Totals
     • Subtotal
       • $125,000
     • Production Fee
       • $31,250
     • Total
       • $156,250

Photo Shoot Budget:

1. Photo Shoot
   • Breakdown
     • Photographer
       • $5,000
     • Makeup Application
       • Set of Prosthetic Appliances
         • $750
       • Makeup Artist
         • $1,500
       • Makeup Assistant
         • $500
       • Travel/Accommodations
         • $2,000
     • Comedic Improvisational Character Actor
       • Actor Fee
         • $5,000
       • Actor Assistant
         • $1,000
       • Travel/Accommodations
         • $2,000
   • Totals
     • Subtotal
       • $17,750
     • Production Fee
       • $4,437.50
     • Total
       • $22,187.50

Phase 2: Production (6 Weeks)

Launch Digital Content Production Budget:

1. Launch Digital Content Production
   • Breakdown
     • Pre-Production
       • Production Team
         • Producer
           • $7,500
         • Assistant Producer
           • $2,500
         • Director
           • $5,000
         • Lead Writer
           • $10,000
         • Assistant Writer
           • $5,000
         • Travel/Accommodations
           • $15,000
     • Production
       • Production Studio/Production Crew
         • $50,000
       • Production Team
         • Producer
           • $7,500
         • Assistant Producer
           • $2,500
         • Director
           • $5,000
         • Lead Writer
           • $5,000
         • Assistant Writer
           • $2,500
         • Travel/Accommodations
           • $7,875
       • Comedic Improvisational Character Actor
         • Actor Fee
           • $25,000
         • Actor Assistant
           • $2,500
         • Travel/Accommodations
           • $2,500
       • Makeup Application
         • Set of Prosthetic Appliances
           • $2,250
         • Makeup Artist
           • $5,000
         • Makeup Assistant
           • $1,500
         • Travel/Accommodations
           • $2,500
     • Post-Production
       • Production Team
         • Producer
           • $7,500
         • Director
           • $5,000
         • Travel/Accommodations
           • $3,000
       • Post-Production/Motion Graphics Team
         • $25,000
   • Totals
     • Subtotal
       • $207,125
     • Production Fee
       • $51,781.25
     • Total
       • $258,906.25

Phase 3: Launch (2 Weeks)

Media Tour Budget:

1. Media Tour
   • Breakdown
     • Production Team
       • Producer
         • $10,000
       • Lead Writer
         • $10,000
       • Videographer/Photographer
         • $5,000
       • Social Media Director
         • $5,000
       • Public Relations Director
         • $25,000
       • Travel/Accommodations
         • $28,000
     • Makeup Application
       • Set of Prosthetic Appliances
         • 10,500
       • Makeup Artist
         • $10,000
       • Makeup Assistant
         • $3,000
       • Travel/Accommodations
         • $14,000
     • Comedic Improvisational Character Actor
       • Actor Fee
         • $50,000
       • Actor Assistant
         • $5,000
       • Travel/Accommodations
         • $14,000
   • Totals
     • Subtotal
       • $189,500
     • Production Fee
       • $47,375
     • Total
       • $236,875

Phase 4: Ongoing (Daily, Weekly, Monthly)

NOTE - For roughly the same budget the crew could either be:

1. Flying daily to various live events, media appearances, etc.,

2. Crisscrossing the country in a wrapped bus, or

3. Shooting videos in a production studio

Ongoing Budget (Quoted as Bullet 1, Flying Daily):

1. Ongoing (Daily)
   • Breakdown 
     • Production Team
       • Producer
         • $2,500
       • Lead Writer
         • $1,500
       • Videographer/Photographer
         • $1,500
       • Social Media Director
         • $1,500
       • Public Relations Director
         • $1,500
       • Travel/Accommodations
         • $5,000
     • Makeup Application
       • Set of Prosthetic Appliances
         • $750
       • Makeup Artist
         • $1,500
       • Makeup Assistant
         • $500
       • Travel/Accommodations
         • $2,000
     • Comedic Improvisational Character Actor
       • Actor Fee
         • $10,000
       • Actor Assistant
         • $1,000
       • Travel/Accommodations
         • $2,000
   • Totals
     • Subtotal
       • $29,750
     • Production Fee
       • $7,437.50
     • Total
       • $37,187.50
2. Ongoing (Weekly)
   • Breakdown
     • Production Team
       • Producer
         • $7,500
       • Lead Writer
         • $3,500
       • Videographer/Photographer
         • $2,500
       • Social Media Director
         • $2,500
       • Public Relations Director
         • $2,500
       • Travel/Accommodations (Flying everyday)
         • $24,500
     • Makeup Application
       • Set of Prosthetic Appliances (Applying makeup daily)
         • $5,250
       • Makeup Artist
         • $5,000
       • Makeup Assistant
         • $1,500
       • Travel/Accommodations (Flying everyday)
         • $7,000
     • Comedic Improvisational Character Actor
       • Actor Fee
         • $25,000
       • Actor Assistant
         • $2,500
       • Travel/Accommodations (Flying everyday)
         • $7,000
   • Totals
     • Subtotal
       • $96,250
     • Production Fee
       • $24,062.50
     • Total
       • $120,312.50
3. Ongoing (Monthly)
   • Breakdown
     • Production Team
       • Producer
         • $20,000
       • Lead Writer
         • $15,000
       • Videographer/Photographer
         • $10,000
       • Social Media Director
         • $10,000
       • Public Relations Director
         • $10,000
       • Travel/Accommodations (Flying everyday)
         • $75,000
     • Makeup Application
       • Set of Prosthetic Appliances (Applying makeup daily)
         • $22,500
       • Makeup Artist
         • $15,000
       • Makeup Assistant
         • $5,000
       • Travel/Accommodations (Flying everyday)
         • $30,000
     • Comedic Improvisational Character Actor
       • Actor Fee
         • $50,000
       • Actor Assistant
         • $7,500
       • Travel/Accommodations (Flying everyday)
         • $30,000
   • Totals
     • Subtotal
       • $300,000
     • Production Fee
       • $75,000
     • Total
       • $375,000