Prospect Ventures Inc. (fka IVAP)

[lazyazzdaddy]

Wanted to share an article I just read.. Read the bold print!! full article can be found here: http://vancouver.openfile.ca/vancouver/file/2011/09/reality-tv-bites-some-local-entrepreneurs



Reality TV bites for some local entrepreneurs

The trailer for Dussault Inc., which is currently in its second season.

Reported by Elianna Lev
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Reported File
Vancouver is known as one of North America’s top spots for movie and television productions, thanks to its diverse terrain and enticing tax cuts.

However, in the last few years, Vancouver has been increasingly used as the backdrop for reality television. More specifically, reality television focusing on entrepreneurs: The Cupcake Girls, At the End of My Leash, The Stagers and The Last Ten Pounds put the spotlight on business owners around town, detailing what they do, both inside and outside of the office.

Jason Dussault, owner of the clothing line Dussault Apparel Inc., branched out into television in an effort to expand his brand. He had been on several reality shows before, including Gene Simmons Family Jewels and the locally shot Chop Shop, and believed he had a compelling story to tell.

A few years ago, the clothing designer approached Paperny Films and pitched his idea; Dussault Inc. is now in its second season, although it’s currently based in L.A.

Dussalut says the best part about having a televsion show is its reach. For instance, he wanted to expand his brand to sunglasses. In order to create a good storyline, the producers helped him find collaborators, so he didn’t have to do the grunt work.

“The contact base grows expediently,” he says. “It doubled the size of my company by having the production team on my side.” He says his show also gave him “opportunity and access and a little bit of star power” that he wouldn’t have had otherwise.

Michael Procter, co-founder and co-owner of Chop Shop, agrees that exposure from having a show based on his business helped with exposure. Unlike Dussault, producers approached Procter and his partner Daniel Hudon about doing a show based on their rock n’ roll-themed hair salon. It lasted for one season in 2008 and is still in reruns.

“I don’t like or respect reality TV, but we couldn’t argue it was an excellent marketing tool for our brand,” he says.