I still can’t believe that, after all these years, Red & Black is finally going to Hollywood.

Technically, it is Burbank. And, it is a “pitch” meeting with Hasbro executives that we bought in a Charitybuzz online charity auction.

I know that, but let me dream for just a little while longer. Your original plan, way before Neiman Marcus

launched our book, was not only to turn us into sitcom characters, but to build a brand. We started with lots of entertainment applications and, although we detoured into the education world and then criminal justice, we just kept adding more and more content, not to mention movie storylines. And now, we finally get to pitch people in the industry!

Well, while you are busy dreaming, I will continue to work on our presentation to Hasbro. The challenge is finding a way to demonstrate how well Red & Black aligns with their corporate strategies, although we are very different from all their other brands, without coming across as arrogant.

That’s because you love to do your research and you look at things very differently than most people. But us “mere

mortals” usually need a “softer” approach.

Hence, why this presentation is a challenge. I feel like the “Black” parts of this pitch – the business side of our history, our extensive and continually growing content, and our proven demographics that range from middle school to senior citizens – all align with slides in the Hasbro investor presentations. But, I also know they first need to embrace the “characters”.

Exactly. That’s why I especially like the introduction of our presentation. We’re being very honest when we

ask them, “How to pitch Red & Black?” It really sums it all up in one question. And since we follow it with a brief explanation of our characters, it shows them both sides of Red & Black. Even though we have an hour with them, I think it’s critical for them to understand the concept, and whet their appetite, from the very beginning. We need to “set the stage” quickly.

Your theater degree is showing. But, I agree. They need to understand “why” our audiences are looking for additional Red & Black content – whether the sitcom, branded merchandise and consumer products, additional books, or even an app – in order to see the full potential of the brand.

And we all know that “Why?” is your favorite question. But now I feel like we need some help with “what,

when, how.”

Well, just preparing for our meeting with Hasbro has helped in that area because it has forced us to really focus on Red & Black, and clarify next steps.

I think, in its own way, Hurricane Harvey also really helped us. Our day-to-day routines were dramatically

disrupted, and in the process, we had to stop and think about all our priorities. Including Red & Black.

True. And, it reinforced that although we want to continue our philanthropic efforts, we also need to start to monetize Red & Black and expand the commercial side. Especially since we know that we have a huge untapped market.

I still can’t believe that you plan to tell Hasbro that you feel like we could be bigger than Oprah.

No, I plan to tell them that our proven demographics are wider than Oprah’s, we just do not have her reach. It is a factual statement.

I know, and that has been our challenge, and frustration, for many years now. But, to be fair, we have never really taken

the time to focus on it. We keep meaning to, but life gets in the way. Not to mention, we dedicated the last few years to developing career and workforce readiness resources. Not exactly something Hollywood is looking for.

Look at it as just more content. But, I do understand your point.

Well, if Hasbro is interested in Red & Black, that could take care of everything. But, before

you even say it, I know … I’m still dreaming. So, what do we do if they’re not interested?

Plan B. You always need a Plan B. And, often, a C, D, and E. Just like we know that much of our current content can be re-packaged, so can our Hasbro presentation. We have already identified other companies where Red & Black is potentially a good fit, so we need to focus on who to approach next.

Well, I can’t help but think that merchandise should be seriously considered, because my favorite part of

our Hasbro presentation is where we show all the potential merchandise, including the Red & Black Funkos and Bobbleheads. I don’t know about you, but I’d love to have a set on my desk!

I have enough work on my desk, I do not need anything else. But, I look forward to any feedback we get from Hasbro – whether on the collectibles, the movie ideas, the series of books, or ideally, the Red & Black brand – before we commit to going in any one direction. As the back of our book says, “We are not claiming to be experts in any given field, but rather are becoming experts in our own lives.” That includes the business side, too.

Also sounds like Q-I-D … ask Questions, gather Information, in order to make smart, conscious Decisions.

Regardless, it makes perfect sense to reach out to other experts.

And, to do our own homework. Since our Hasbro pitch forced us to look at everything we have done as well as potential new content, I was curious as to WHY Red & Black is resonating with so many people. I came across Derek Thompson’s book, “Hit Makers,” and I think the subtitle describes it well, “The Science of Popularity in an Age of

Distraction.”

I’m almost afraid to ask, what did you find out?

I highlighted much of the book and flagged lots of pages, but I doubt you want to review my copy. Two of the key takeaways are how people want something familiar, yet different; and, how the power of a story helps you deal with life.

Well, you may do the

research, but I watch audiences and read the emails and letters. It seems like the fact that we’re

real people, combined with our banter which makes it very clear that we have very different perspectives and approaches to almost everything, gives people food for thought in a very entertaining and approachable way.

Now we are about to find out what some of the experts think. And, by the time this column is actually published, we will have met with Hasbro.

Any predictions on how that will go?

Quickly. Remember it is only an hour pitch.

Cute. But is that all you’re going to say?

For now, yes. Consider it a Red & Black version of a cliff-hanger …

RED & BLACK ... The Pitch

Tina “Red” Pennington and

Mandy “Black” Williams are

sisters and co-authors of

“What I Learned About Life

When My Husband Got

Fired!” The informative,

entertaining book dis-

cusses values, priorities,

relationships, financial

literacy, and much more.

For more information on

Red & Black, please go to

www.RedandBlackBooks.com.

The Texas Gulf Coast’s Jewish Newspaper Since 1908

NOVEMBER 9, 2017 - 20 CHESHVAN 5778 � Volume CX - Number 35 � Houston, Texas � jhvonline.com � $2 Per Copy

1908 2017

109 years