Bragging that it will be the first home shopping network to air a reality show, Jewelry Television said it will be bringing “JTV Rock Star Designer” to its viewers.
The program is part of the network’s national search for talented jewelry designers, one of whom will win a $5,000 cash prize and the opportunity to design and sell a jewelry collection on the national jewelry and gemstone shopping network.
The reality series will debut on today, Friday, at 7:30 p.m., leading into the network’s most-watched segment, “Girlfriend Friday.” There will also be an encore presentation every Wednesday at 2 a.m. beginning Aug. 12.
In March JTV issued a call for entries and received applications from designers around the country.
Each aspiring designer was required to submit examples of their jewelry designs and a biographical video describing why he/she should be JTV’s first “Rock Star Designer.”
The public voted on its favorite entries, narrowing the field to 10 semi-finalists.
A team of JTV executives, jewelry buyers and marketing professionals reviewed the work of the Top 10 and narrowed the field to five finalists who traveled to JTV’s corporate headquarters in Knoxville, Tenn., and competed head-to-head in jewelry design competitions.
There’s information on the five finalists on the Rock Star site.
They are:
* Tamara Cimalore – Wilmington, Del.
* Alicia Herzbrun – Maryville, Tenn.
* Ashley Hoffman – Myrtle Beach, S.C.
* Kelly Miller – Saint Louis, Mo.
* Deborah Wilson Taylor – Austin, Texas
“JTV Rock Star Designer” emcee Kristie Carson will present contestants with a series of challenges devised to test creativity, jewelry and gemstone knowledge, design skills, business acumen and ability to work under pressure. One contestant will be eliminated after each challenge until a winner is announced Sept. 25.
‘We are dipping our toe into the branded-entertainment arena to entertain our current viewers as well as attract new audiences,” said Jill Johnson, vice president of marketing at JTV. “This is a full-scale television production with original sets, wardrobe, crew and nationally recognized celebrity judges. We hope to make this an annual competition.”
With the surging popularity in crowd-sourced design, JTV is getting a first-hand look at what emerging jewelry designers are creating and how that merchandise may drive trends and consumer purchasing decisions.
“As one of the country’s largest retailers of fine jewelry and gemstones, this is a new way for us to be at the forefront of identifying refreshing new design talent and jewelry trends,” said Johnson.
For more information on “JTV Rock Star Designer,” and the contestants, visit JTV.com/rockstar.
Homeshoppingista's Blog By Linda Moss 