Whom You Know: #SmallScreenScenes #WhomYouKnow @PBS Expands Its Digital Content Reach This Summer with Fresh Offerings Across Multiple Platforms

Friday, July 13, 2018

#SmallScreenScenes #WhomYouKnow @PBS Expands Its Digital Content Reach This Summer with Fresh Offerings Across Multiple Platforms

PBS announced a new slate of original programming and digital initiatives exclusively for its social media and online platforms. Created to increase engagement with digital natives, the new content includes a virtual reality app, multiple series from PBS Digital Studios, a digital original series hosted on pbs.org and the 25 short form films included in the PBS Online Film Festival.

The PBS Online Film Festival, a multi-platform event increasing the reach and visibility of independent voices, returns for its seventh year July 16-27. The festival features 25 short-form independent films from public media partners and stations across the country. Audiences can stream the festival on all PBS digital platforms, including pbs.org, PBS Video apps, Facebook and YouTube. To learn more about the PBS Online Film Festival, please visit http://www.pbs.org/filmfestival.

WHAT I HEAR WHEN YOU SAY is currently streaming all episodes on pbs.org. The new 10-episode web series features scientists, educators and entertainers who deconstruct complex and confusing vernacular by tackling preconceived notions of race and identity. The project breaks down stereotypes and builds awareness around cultural sensitivities associated with words and statements used to describe marginalized groups. Notable talent featured includes Soledad O'Brien, Phoebe Robinson, Hari Kondabolu, Kristin Russo, Tyler Ford, Franchesca Ramsey, Jamin Warren and many others.

This summer, PBS Digital Studios produces two Facebook Watch digital miniseries inspired by PBS’ THE GREAT AMERICAN READ. Hosted by Lindsay Ellis, IT’S LIT is a six-episode limited series of video essays that celebrates the role of books in popular culture and explores why Americans love to read. The series takes advantage of Facebook’s community features to drive conversation and commentary in a shareable and engaging way. READ AWAKENING is a four-part literary variety show that blends comedy, music and more, hosted by Dominique Taylor and produced with funding support from Black Public Media. Described as a modern version of the hit children’s series “Reading Rainbow,” READ AWAKENING features enlightening conversations about books, influencers and trends within the literary community.

More than 300,000 people follow PBS Digital Studios content across its six active Facebook Watch pages. The content has generated more than 400,000 shares and averages 2 million monthly views.

“At PBS, our goal is always to deliver fresh, quality content that informs, entertains and inspires, and can also be used to generate change, whether that’s learning a new skill or challenging us to think about the world differently,” said Don Wilcox, Vice President, PBS Digital Marketing and Services. “As engagement with our content continues to increase across all platforms, it’s exciting to see our series drive conversation in diverse communities across the web.”

In addition to expanding content on Facebook Watch, PBS Digital Studios continues to grow its YouTube presence with this summer’s addition of CRASH COURSE ENGINEERING featuring Dr. Shini Samora and THEATER & DRAMA featuring Mike Rugnetta, both extensions of the popular Crash Course YouTube show. The Studio also recently renewed several popular YouTube series, including IT’S OKAY TO BE SMART, BRAINCRAFT, THE ART ASSIGNMENT, EONS, SPACE TIME, PHYSICS GIRL, KQED’S DEEP LOOK, WNET’S FIRST PERSON and ORIGIN OF EVERYTHING. Partnering with three member stations, PBS Digital Studios is also developing three new YouTube series: NOURISH, a series on the history, culture and science of Southern foods; AMERICA FROM SCRATCH, a series exploring American government; and REINVENTORS, a show featuring scientists, inventors and entrepreneurs working to combat climate change. To date, PBS Digital Studios has created a network of over 20 active YouTube channels and more than 14 million subscribers who bring in an average of 50 million views a month on the platform.

PBS Passport, a member benefit from local PBS stations that provides eligible donors with extended access to a rich streaming video library of public television programming, exclusively premieres FRANKIE DRAKE MYSTERIES on Monday, August 20, 2018. The series follows Toronto’s only female private detectives as they take on the cases the police don’t want to touch. In a time of change and hopefulness, their gender is their biggest advantage as they defy expectations and rebel against convention. Following the premiere, new episodes release weekly through Monday, October 27. Also coming this summer, PBS PASSPORT SUMMER CONCERTS is a special collection of performances featuring presentations by Journey, Paul Simon, George, Queen, Alicia Keys, Andrea Bocelli, Cyndi Lauper, Lauren Hill, James Taylor, Igg Pop, Brad Paisley, Herbie Hancock and the Foo Fighters.

Coming this fall, PBS Digital Studios is set to launch a new virtual reality app called ROLLER COASTER VR for Oculus. The three-part VR experience takes audiences aboard their favorite roller coasters for a virtual thrill ride while educating them on the physics of coasters through an interactive adventure. The experience will be hosted by Dianna Cowern, who is also the host of the hit PBS Digital Studios YouTube channel PHYSICS GIRL. Videos of the experience will also be featured on PBS Digital Studios’ YouTube network and Facebook pages.

About PBS

PBS, with nearly 350 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and digital content. Each month, PBS reaches over 90 million people through television and 30 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’ broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. Decades of research confirms that PBS’ premier children’s media service, PBS KIDS, helps children build critical literacy, math and social-emotional skills, enabling them to find success in school and life. Delivered through member stations, PBS KIDS offers high-quality educational content on TV – including a 24/7 channel, online at pbskids.org, via an array of mobile apps and in communities across America. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile and connected devices.

Recent Testimonials by Brand Ambassadors on their Experience with Whom You Know

"I work with Peachy Deegan because she's prolific at what she does. She's a hard worker, she's thoughtful and she's tasteful at what she writes which is very important. Peachy gets the facts correct, and just that alone is worth its weight in gold."

-Edward Tricomi, Master Stylist and Owner of Warren-Tricomi
https://warrentricomi.com/

"No one has yet to express their taste for our cuisine better than Peachy Deegan on Whom You Know. Thank you for transforming our flavor into words, unlike any other before.
Sometimes WHOM YOU KNOW, really makes a difference and Ammos Estiatorio is grateful to know Peachy Deegan!"
-
Dimitris Nakos, Founder and Owner of
Ammos Estiatorio
https://ammosnewyork.com/

“Whom You Know has done an amazing job of featuring our company over many years [seven]. Peachy has worked tirelessly to create a well-curated selection of topics and brands that are clearly of relevance to her growing audience of readers. Her articles are filled with great insights based on first-hand experience. She does her research, knows her business and is a pleasure to work with!”

-David Sasuga, Owner of Fresh Origins Microgreens
www.FreshOrigins.com

"Peachy Deegan has the pulse of the nation and highlights exceptional opinion leaders in more than 23,000 inspiring and entertaining posts. Her 100,000 twitter followers are a true testimony to Peachy’s ability to inspire, motivate and entertain. She is a feminine force to be reckoned with and an exemplary example of an influential voice in today’s world."

-Mica Mosbacher, author of the new book The Hurricane Factor: Stormside Patriots and tv political commentator

"It was an honour to be chosen for Movers and Shakers by Peachy Deegan. The questions in the interview were intelligent and insightful and I thoroughly enjoyed answering them. The reaction to the interview has been overwhelmingly positive and has helped bring my art practice to a wider audience."
-Damien Flood, Internationally Acclaimed Artist
http://www.damienflood.ie/

"We were so fortunate to hit Peachy’s radar. Her review of our Warmies was spot-on and came at a great time in our company’s early history.
Peachy has such a strong relationship with her readers. She provides honest and real comments; she is truly a trusted source in a very large circle
of consumers."
-Scott Wehrs
President
Intelex U.S.A.
http://www.intelexusallc.com/

"We at Primola love working with Whom You Know and are proud to have been a highly-ranked Manhattan restaurant by Peachy Deegan since 2012, and are featured seasonally. We appreciate the fantastic work Peachy does highlighting our cuisine with her sublime writing style and the whole neighborhood of the Upper East side. Also, we are glad that she has started a Made in Italy column! If you have the opportunity to be considered for review, we'd highly recommend working with her."
-Giuliano Zuliani, Owner of Primola Restaurant
https://www.facebook.com/Primola-Canaletto-restaurants-NYC-135616799831091

"
Peachy Deegan is a gem. She is wonderful to feature our Irish brands in 'Whom You Know'! The articles are beautifully and passionately presented, bringing products and brands to life, making both relevant and fun for her many faithful followers to read. I am immensely proud for our hand-crafted products to be included in this venue!"

-
Bill Follett
President, Belleek Group North America
www.Belleek.com

"As you know from my past features, Peachy Deegan and I were in the same class at Boston College prior to either of us becoming entrepreneurs. When we played together on the BC Alumni softball team in Central Park years ago, she mentioned she could not find a great dentist in Manhattan and could often be found networking on her phone in the outfield hiding from the ball. She was my second patient ever in 2006 when I opened my dental practice; I was one of the first sponsors on Whom You Know and the first Mover and Shaker featured in 2009 and have worked with her continuously since. She's even talked her friends that are doctors into being my patients, and they subsequently send their hospital colleagues. I don't know anyone that is as great of a networker and writer as Peachy, nevermind that she is upstanding and always good for her word. Cosmopolitan Dental is so happy to be in the company of the caliber of major brands she works with today, and although she will tell you a million ways to get your teeth dirty between Peachy's Picks, Terrific Takeout and Peachy's Pantry, Peachy Deegan will tell you there is only one way to get your teeth clean!"
-Dr. Garo Nazarian, Founder and Owner of Cosmopolitan Dental
http://cosmopolitandental.com/