We are developing a
multifaceted marketing approach in order to reach both American and
international television audiences.
Haitians Fight For Freedom will attract a worldwide audience of
Haitians, Africans, Canadians, French and their families. But perhaps more importantly, this
project is designed to educating young audiences by promoting directly to
schools and teachers interested in American, European, African-American
history and social studies.
First, we seek a prime
time PBS broadcast—we have begun discussions with WPBA to secure its
participation with the project.
Earl Johnson, Vice President and General Manager and Milton Clipper,
President and CEO of WPBA have offered their assistance. WPBA will serve as the broadcast
station for the documentary. See
Mr. Johnson’s letter of intent in the Appendix.
In addition, because it is a multi-national subject, Haitians Fight For Freedom will appeal to international television markets, especially France, West Africa, and Haiti. International interest in the Haitian Revolution reflects potential for worldwide broadcast and video sales. We have initiated contact with France Television 2 and 3, The UNESCO Programme
for Creative Television in partnership with the International Public Television (INPUT) South African Broadcasting Corporation in Canada, Haiti Television, and the Timewatch strand at the BBC.
The broadcast of
Haitians Fight For Freedom will also raise interest in the themes of
the documentary among African Americans, their families, and historians. Indeed, contact has already been
established with portions of our target audience: For almost a year, the Association for
Haitian American Development website has been used to attract viewers. People from all over the world have
logged onto the site and many have expressed their desire to see the completed
documentary. In addition, we have
established relationships through correspondence and face-to-face meetings
with Haitian Organizations all over the world. Broadcast dates will be posted on the
web site and potential viewers will be contacted via e-mail. International audiences will be built
up through local promotions arranged with broadcasters in the countries
involved, some of whom already expressed interest in presenting Haitians
Fight For Freedom.
Reaching
a younger audience is also an important goal of the producers, who will tie
their efforts to ongoing educational activities at the combat site. In 2004, students from across the
nation will visit Savannah,
Georgia
and Haiti
to visit the actual site of the Haitian Revolution. This will give way to the
intergenerational events in which African Americans and Haitian Americans
share their thoughts and feelings on the Haitian Revolution. Thus Haitians Fight For Freedom
will be promoted as not only a story of combat, but as a report on the
attempts of the elders to enlighten youth about the success of slave
uprisings.