I’ve got a new blog gig. I’m the official on-the-spot blogger for EMHE: The Blog, a temporary blog on the local ABC affiliate’s website. WTVG-TV, 13abc.com, has asked me to bring behind-the-scenes updates of the action at the Toledo Extreme Makeover: Home Edition construction site to their site, as they happen! Check it out for my ongoing, informative posts and candid photos — who knows what I’ll find to show and tell?

I’ll be at the new home build a lot, because my company is working hand-in-hand with The Buckeye Real Estate Group, the builder and lead contractor responsible for constructing the new home, as partner and marketing/PR agency for this episode of the show.

ABC Television will be in Toledo to film a new home being built for a deserving family in Toledo, September 7 - 14, 2008, and we’re up to our eyeballs in the planning. The chosen family will be announced this Sunday, September 7th. That’s tomorrow — yikes!

There’s lots of excitement going on at Hoeck Associates these days as we work with Buckeye and ABC producers, organizing the zillions of details involved with an undertaking of this magnitude, including setting up plans for the 3,000 volunteers needed to complete the project. Hoeck Associates branded the build, “Hearts and Hands for Heroes,” to coordinate with show’s 2008-09 season theme, “Heroes in the Community.” You can still donate to the family at the builder’s site.

We’re so thrilled to be involved with Extreme Makeover, which has won back-to-back Emmy Awards as Best Reality Program (non-competitive), and does so much to demonstrate the spirit of generosity and service to others. And now, I’m writing a blog for Channel 13’s local ABC website! Are we lucky, or what?

And talk about strong brands! Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is broadcast in 66 countries and has been seen by over a billion people. It’s one of America’s best-loved and most recognized television shows. The strong core messages of community spirit, giving, coming together, generosity, family, and changing lives are consistent in every episode — it’s not just about building a house in 7 days. And the show’s most recognizable catch phrase, “Bus driver, move that bus!” has become firmly ingrained in the minds of its fans everywhere.

Also check out the newest issue of my Marketing Tips ezine for more info.

[tags]Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Extreme Makeover, ABC TV, Channel 13, WTVG-TV, 13abc.com[/tags]