The Effect is a TV Series for kids mixing fictional & non-fictional storylines to entertain, enlighten and encourage empathy.

Problem

Just about every parent or caregiver out there has said to a child, “you know better than that!”. But how are we helping our kids know better? What in their media is helping them become well rounded, compassionate citizens of the world poised to take on the responsibilities of being the next generation? What kind of messages and behavior examples are they absorbing in the TV they watch? Parents, caregivers and KIDS need better choices for their media consumption.

Solution

The Effect’s mission is to provide kids with positive and socially conscious programming that is awesomely entertaining and cool. The Effect takes kids out of their usual environment and exposes them to the lives of others in their community and all over the world. The program is created out of the belief that the media we consume becomes a part of us and we want to give kids something positive. We are all born with a natural capacity for empathy and like a muscle it must be exercised to stay strong. Within an entertaining mystery this show will engage kids’ empathy and enlighten them to real issues in their community and all over the world. Please note the title of the show is in the process of changing from The Know Better Effect to The Effect.

Exemple

Throughout the season, the mysteries of the box are slowly revealed through clues and experiences – keeping the viewers engaged, and coming back for more. Every episode will give kids an opportunity to better understand important issue such as: Homelessness, Autism, Diabetes, Bullying, Military Families, Natural Disasters, Childhood Illness, Environment, Physical Disability, Hunger, Growing Old, Literacy, Schools in Need, Water, Immigration, Understanding Different Cultures… The viewers will be allowed into the worlds of people they may never otherwise have the opportunity to interact with. These organic and real interactions will open the eyes and hearts of all involved. The characters will be challenged by choices and realize those choices have an effect on themselves and others. At the end of the show viewers will have been entertained and empathically engaged.

Marché

To my knowledge there are no programs that combine fictional and non-fictional plotlines for the tween audience. The programming for tweens in general is lacking any sort of substance. There is wonderful media for pre-schoolers and for teens but unfortunately for our tweens, they are in a wasteland. GenerationOn does a great job reaching kids that are already motivated to help - but I do not look at them as competition but an opportunity to collaborate. The Effect will reach kids already motivated and motivate those on the sidelines. Competition for the tween viewing audience would be Disney and Nickelodeon though our programming goals are very different.