Plumbers, Electricians & HVAC Contractors Coming To Sunday Night on NBC
April 15, 2010
For the first time in the history of the hit television show “The Celebrity Apprentice,” three brands will be featured during just one task as celebrity guests vie for the role of Donald Trump’s No. 1 apprentice choice during season No. 3. In fact, this is the first time that any service brand has been integrated into the show. Those familiar with the program know that Donald Trump is a tough taskmaster — just one slip, and a contestant might hear Trump’s trademark line, “You’re fired.”
Evidently, the founders of Clockwork Home Services, John Young and Jim Abrams were just tough enough to come up with a challenge suitable for an episode of Trump’s “The Celebrity Apprentice.” To further toughen up the challenge, and spice up the show, Ivanka and Donald Trump, Jr. who usually flank their father, will also be joined by brother Eric for the first time ever. The series premiered March 14, and airs Sunday nights at 9 p.m. Eastern/8 p.m. Central time.
Celebrity contestants Mets and Yankees star Darryl Strawberry, ex-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich whose corruption trial is set for June 3, Sinbad and pop star Cyndi Lauper, Sharon Osbourne (”America’s Got Talent“) and Bret Michaels (”Rock of Love“), actress Holly Robinson Peete, comedy writer Carol Leifer, wrestlers Bill Goldberg and Maria Kanellis, celebrity chef Curtis Stone, Olympians Summer Sanders and Michael Johnson, and model Selita Banks all convened in the boardroom. And, in Sinbad’s opinion, he said, “I think it’s one of the best celebrity casts they’ve had on the show.”
“The Celebrity Apprentice,” premiered Sunday, March 14 on NBC. Coming up the stairs from the left: actor and wrestler Bill Goldberg, celebrity chef Curtis Stone, actress Holly Robinson Peete, Mets and Yankees star Darryl Strawberry, ex-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, pop star Cyndi Lauper, model Selita Ebanks, track and field Olympian Michael Johnson, WWE wrestler Maria Kanellis, comedy writer Carol Leifer, Olympian Summer Sanders, comedian and actor Sinbad, reality actress Sharon Osbourne, and singer, Poisen front man Bret Michaels.
“My friends at Mister Sparky, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, and One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning practice what they preach — time is money,” said Donald Trump. “Punctuality is a key requirement in business. Be sure to tune in as they make Apprentice history by doing something no other brand has done. Adding to the excitement, my son Eric will make his first-ever appearance in the Boardroom.”
In the filming for his television debut, the 26-year-old Eric Trump, an honor graduate from Georgetown University and executive vice president of Development and Acquisitions at the Trump Organization, spent a considerable amount of time with Jim Abrams and John Young of Clockwork Home Services. Abrams said, “He was great to work with and asked a lot of very intelligent questions about our business model.”
The commercials developed by the celebrities during the episode are not the only creative developments that have taken place. Clockwork Home Services has plans to coordinate a national advertising campaign surrounding the program that will burn the name, logo, and message of the franchises’ respective brands into the minds of every man, woman, and child in the marketplace. Clockwork will be enhancing its position in the marketplace through enhanced public relations, online activity, social media, and advertising.
Key markets have been selected where One Hour, Ben Franklin, and Mister Sparky franchisees will act as local Brand Ambassadors for the appearance on “The Celebrity Apprentice.” Denise Swafford, vice president of innovation R&D at Clockwork Home Services, said, “I am confident that all of our Brand Ambassadors will do a great job of helping to build our brand and maximize this unique opportunity that we have with “The Celebrity Apprentice.” The Clockwork organization expects screening parties to take place near the date of the episode and the Brand Ambassadors will likely play a big role.
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION
What was it like to meet with Donald Trump? “Trump is a master at leverage; he has perfected the art of connecting all the aspects of his business,” said Young.
Neither Young nor Abrams expect to prolong their careers in acting. Young had this to say about the experience, “Nerve racking,” and he also commented that he may end up being the most hated man in America after the show airs. Abrams found that he had an unusual connection with Trump during the filming.
For more on these stories, tune in on Sunday nights as millions of viewers will be watching the episode when the One Hour, Ben Franklin, and Mister Sparky franchises make the big time!
The One Hour, Ben Franklin, and Mister Sparky franchise have been recognized individually by Entrepreneur’s 31st Annual Franchise 500® as three of the top-ranked franchises for 2010. TSC
