Eight-Part Weekly Reality Series Premieres January 20, 2006
Sponsors Include L’Oreal Paris and Payless ShoeSource
New York, NY, October 11, 2005 -WE: Women’s Entertainment, the only cable network dedicated to helping women connect to one another and the world around them, announced today that it will add Style Me with Rachel Hunter to its growing slate of original programming. In this eight-part weekly reality series, twelve aspiring stylists will compete to win the chance to style actress and supermodel Rachel Hunter for a red carpet appearance. L’Or?al Paris and Payless ShoeSource have signed on as official sponsors of the series and will receive tagged tune-ins, 30-second spots and billboards. The series premieres January 20, 2006 at 10 pm ET on WE.
“Style Me with Rachel Hunter is a perfect fit for our network and further defines WE’s commitment to original programming,” said Kim Martin, WE’s Executive Vice President and General Manager. “This series joins a lineup of already popular shows, and continues to position WE as a premiere destination for relevant, fun and engaging programming designed for today’s modern women.”
“This series will provide our sponsors with relevant product integration, while speaking directly to a very important demographic,” said Arlene Manos, President, Rainbow National Network Advertising Sales. “Style Me is a series that showcases the network’s dedication to both the original programming genre and our audience.”
Hosted by Rachel Hunter, Style Me will seek to create the next top celebrity stylist by pitting twelve aspiring wannabes against each other in the world’s most critical fashion city – New York. Over the course of eight episodes, contestants will compete in a series of over-the-top, time-sensitive and high-pressure challenges to prove they’ve got what it takes to work alongside the Hollywood elite. The stylists’ fashion sensibilities, diversity, creativity and ability to produce an entire look within budgetary and time limits will determine who continues on towards the final goal, and who is sent home packing. The individual judged most style savvy will win the ultimate prize: $10,000, a one-year contract with a talent agency and the chance to style Rachel Hunter for an A-list, red carpet event. Rachel Hunter and members of her entourage will judge the contestants.
Sponsors L’Or?al Paris and Payless ShoeSource will be weaved into the series through specialized product integration. One episode will be taped at a L’Oreal Paris location in New York City, and during the final episode, host Rachel Hunter, will be made-up for a red carpet event utilizing this cosmetic line exclusively. In another episode, tourists are seen rushing to Payless ShoeSource to purchase shoes for their makeover. The sponsors will also be included through online interactive content on www.we.tv, and featured on the network through 30-second spots, tagged tune-ins, and billboards.
WE: Women’s Entertainment is committed to producing quality original programming that speaks to the busy lifestyle of today’s contemporary woman. WE’s popular line up of originals includes “Bridezillas,” a look at brides-to-be who go from engaged to enraged on their way to the altar, and “American Princess,” a series that follows twenty young women competing to make their childhood fairy tale dream a reality by participating in a variety of challenges designed to test their skills, character, and suitability for a princess lifestyle.
Today’s announcement comes on the heels of successful summer ratings for WE. The network’s ratings increased by +50% from Summer ’04 to Summer ’05, making it the #4 network for Prime ratings growth. 70% of WE’s top 10 rated telecasts in the 04-05 season, aired from Jun-05 to Aug-05, and 70% of WE’s top 10 rated telecasts for Summer 2005 were original programs (Bridezillas & American Princess). WE was a top 10 network for growth and rank among ad supported networks for W18-49 & W25-54 VPVH levels during Prime in Summer ’05.
**Source: Nielsen Media Research, 05/31/04 – 08/29/04 vs. 05/30/05 – 08/28/05; Prime M-Su 8p-11p Telecasts; 04-05 Season 9/27/04-9/25/05
Rachel Hunter, a successful Supermodel and actress, has graced the covers of many magazines (Elle, Cosmo, Harper’s Bazaar, Sport’s Illustrated, Stuff, Playboy, Vogue); and has appeared in numerous feature and independent films (Freezerburn, You & Your Stupid Mate, Pendulum, Ozzie, Rock Star, Best Actress, Metal Gods, Two Shades of Blue) and a number of television shows (Dancing With The Stars, The Real Gilligan’s Island, Are You Hot, The Drew Carey Show, Suddenly Susan, Mad About You). In addition, Hunter has launched multiple new clothing lines and has been the face of several cosmetic brands. An Ambassador for the Born Free Foundation, Hunter established the Rachel Hunter Gorilla Fund following her last trip to the hostile Ugandan Rainforests. Hunter currently resides in Los Angeles where she juggles her acting and modeling career along with her role as a mother to her son Liam and her daughter Renee.
Style Me with Rachel Hunter is co-produced by WE: Women’s Entertainment and Ultra HD, a Voom HD Network.
About WE: Women’s Entertainment
WE: Women’s Entertainment is the only cable network dedicated to helping women connect to one another and the world around them. With quality original programming including the hit series “Bridezillas,” unique movie packages like “Three Men and A Chick Flick,” topical specials and its public affairs initiative WE Empowers Women, the network supports women and appeals to their interests in pop culture, relationships and personal style. WE: Women’s Entertainment is a subsidiary of Rainbow Entertainment Services and is currently seen in over 55 million homes.