The Gospel Music Association (GMA) has signed an exclusive long-term agreement with dick clark productions, inc. to produce the Dove AwardsTM (doveawards.com) for
television, beginning with the 2001 show, announced Frank Breeden, president of GMA.
The 32 Annual Dove AwardsTM, the contemporary Christian and gospel
music industry’s premier television awards show, will be held on April 26,
2001 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee. GMA, dick clark
productions and mutual agent William Morris Agency are currently in talks
with various television outlets to air the Dove AwardsTM.
“dick clark productions is unmatched when it comes to successfully
and creatively producing awards shows. We believe that the Dove AwardsTM is
an important and unique television product that will be greatly enhanced by
their involvement. We are confident that this affiliation, along with our
relationship with the William Morris Agency, will demonstrate to the
television community the value and future potential of the Dove AwardsTM.
We look forward to a long and enjoyable relationship with Dick Clark and his
staff,” said Frank Breeden.
“We are very pleased to be working with the Gospel Music Association
to add this production to our Company’s distinguished lineup of awards
shows. We hope that the Dove AwardsTM will become an annual televised
event,” said Dick Clark, Chairman and CEO of dick clark productions, which
produces the American Music Awards*, The Academy of Country Music Awards,
The Golden Globe Awards and the Daytime Emmy Awards.
For the past three years, the Dove Awards* have been available
through syndication, and prior to that, the show moved between several cable
networks, including TNN and The Family Channel. Past shows have been hosted
by Kathie Lee Gifford, John Tesh, Naomi Judd, Barbara Mandrell and Glen
Campbell, and have included performances by Whitney Houston, Charlotte
Church and Dolly Parton.
“We have seen the excellence of the Dove Awards* program increase
dramatically in the past few years thanks to our increased production
quality. Now, it’s time for us to move the Dove AwardsTM to higher television exposure. When you realize that
Christian music sells twice that of Latin music, is 70 percent as large as
country music, and that its largest sales markets are also the top
television markets (New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco,
Philadelphia), you know that it is time for this show to be televised more
prominently,” Breeden said.
In addition to the benefit of a premier television producer, Breeden
expects tremendous support from radio and retail for the 2001 Dove AwardsTM.
The National Association Of Retail Merchandisers (NARM), which represents
general market retail outlets such as WalMart, Target, Tower Records and
others, has already committed to an extensive Point Of Purchase (POP)
campaign for the show. This is the third straight year that NARM has
supported the Dove AwardsTM. Christian retail stores and Christian radio
will also participate in special promotions for the Dove AwardsTM.
dick clark productions, inc. is a leading independent producer of a
wide range of television programming for broadcast networks, cable networks,
distributors and advertisers, as well as a leading creator of award-winning
communications experiences from live events and meetings to integrated
marketing programs for major corporations. The Company also sponsors a
music, entertainment and e-commerce web site at www.dickclark.com, part of
the ARTISTdirect Network.
Founded in 1964, the 5,500-member Gospel Music Association is dedicated to
educating the public and the music industry concerning the mission and role
of gospel music in today’s world. The Gospel Music Association produces the
Dove AwardsTM, which recognizes achievement in all genres of Gospel music
and is the premiere television awards show for the contemporary Christian
and gospel music industry.
type=”submit” value=”Press here to tell a friend about this site!”
name=”Submit”>
