Jen Wong’s Elevator Pitch for The Green Network

shark fin soapdont eat shark finplastic oceanpollution

coca cola roundpolar bear3 bottlesglobehands

Sabine,

Sorry I haven’t emailed you this week.  How was your weekend?  Yesterday, I went to a Chinese wedding where they served shark fin soup.  You know that I’m quite environmentally friendly and so I didn’t want to eat the soup.  As I watched everyone enjoying their soup around the table, I couldn’t help but think about the sharks, polluted oceans, etc.  Each seating at the table had a new label of a snowball shaped bottle of Coca-Cola with polar bears and snowflakes.  I would have to admit, it’s a cute idea as it resembles a Christmas tree ornament.  Sure enough, the polar bears got me thinking about their extinction as well.  We cannot allow these environmental problems to continue; action must take place.  We need to set a global shift into gear and create a Green Network.  I put my ideas into a blog at www.wonkajenn.wordpress.com.  I wondered what you thought of my ideas as we both share concerns on this topic.

Jen

Images from:

http://images.google.ca/images?gbv=2&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&sa=1&q=shark+fin+soup&btnG=Search+images&aq=0&oq=shark+fin+&start=0

http://images.google.ca/images?gbv=2&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&q=new+christmas+coca+cola+drink+bottle&sa=N&start=63&ndsp=21

http://images.google.ca/images?gbv=2&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&q=new+christmas+coca+cola+drink+bottle&sa=N&start=105&ndsp=21

http://images.google.ca/images?gbv=2&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&sa=1&q=plastic+bags+in+ocean&btnG=Search+images&aq=0&oq=plastic+bags+in+oc&start=0

18 comments


1 Barrie Carter { 11.28.09 at 7:38 pm }

Hello Jen:

What a fantastic idea! Green is definitely the new lifestyle for many people.

Yes, we have Daily Planet, The Nature of Things, and Discovery, but none of these shows are exclusively ‘Green’.

I think that you are on to something here — The Green Network could be a great resource for the world of (big and small) business and education as well as for any individual, for that matter.

I would definitely consider ‘The Green Network’.

Cheers,

Barrie


2 Ernest Pao { 11.29.09 at 12:44 am }

Hey Jen…Great job! Your Green Network is a great idea and certainly one that would help to put the environment on people’s minds. A worthy topic that deserves attention. I would totally support a venture like your Green Network!

Cheers!

Ernie


3 jennie wong { 11.29.09 at 3:40 pm }

Thanks for the support.

Looking forward to more feedback from others as well.


4 Ed Stuerle { 11.30.09 at 12:43 pm }

Terrific BIG idea. In fact I’m surprised that somebody hasn’t already done this. Your pitch made me want to dig deeper into your presentation and as I did was impressed by the amount of work that you have put into this project. Your presentation is well researched and logically laid out. The numerous resources that you’ve embedded are appropriate and help to make your case. I was a bit confused about the image that you have inserted on the bottom of the http://wonkajenn.wordpress.com/press-release-for-the-green-network-inc/ page. It seemed like it should take me somewhere on your site that I where I would learn more about the Green Network but it only takes me to a related google search. Maybe I’m not using it correctly.
I enjoyed your use of embedded powerpoint for your $5 Million Dollar Pitch. You put a lot of information within that powerpoint. Your site is an excellent example of using multiple formats: video, powerpoint, hyperlinks etc. each one packed with plenty of punch. Bravo. Can I get a job as host on a reality TV show?


5 jennie wong { 11.30.09 at 4:21 pm }

Ed,

Oh that image was just to show the viewers that this page is about a press release for The Green Network.

Yes – you can definitely have a job on the reality TV show – it seems to be the only thing on TV these days so why not do some Green good.

🙂 Glad you liked it,
Jen


6 jennie wong { 11.30.09 at 9:04 pm }

Ed,

After watching the news about Tiger Woods, I’m not sure we can tie The Green Network to him so you have the job. Of course, nothing has been confirmed but they are looking at domestic violence and his squeaky, clean image might be tarnished. I am just joking.
🙂 Jen


7 Mark Reed { 12.01.09 at 9:04 pm }

This does seem like an interesting pitch for a product that has potential for success. The only draw back for me would be if this is a passive network where people watch too much. Perhaps a few points to direct possible content in the elevator pitch such as potential to collaborate and affect change. I get emails from an organization that generates web based petitions sorry I cant get the name right at the moment – I’ll add it when it comes to me = your full pitch blog site looks excellent and worthy of further exploration.


8 James Richardson { 12.01.09 at 9:14 pm }

I like your idea of the Green network. It is topical and would add to educational television options available… and you could change the world in the process if people got the message and took action. I don’t think it would be hard to attract sponsors but given your viewer demographic you would need to research your sponsors before accepting their funding. You wouldn’t want to alienate your viewers.


9 jennie wong { 12.01.09 at 9:58 pm }

Mark and James,

Thanks for the feedback – much appreciated.

Jen


10 Omar Ramroop { 12.02.09 at 10:20 am }

Hi Jen,

Absolutely great idea, and as Ed mentioned, I am surprised that it hasn’t been done to the depths and quality that you have outlined. Your target demographic will simply continue to grow as environmental issues becoming more and more prominent as time goes by.

Focusing on real-world actions that can make a difference, and challenging what we take for granted rather than acting passively as a network would make a huge difference. Something along the lines of, “How can YOU make a difference?”

Absolute brilliance though, in terms of presentation and development of your venture idea.

Best regards,

Omar


11 jennie wong { 12.02.09 at 12:37 pm }

Omar,

Thanks for the kind words.

Jen


12 Adam Rattray { 12.02.09 at 3:25 pm }

Hi Jen,
You have come up with a great idea for a company. Most companies these days do not factor in a plan for helping the planet. They only worry about their bottom line. It is refreshing to find a business idea that uses celebrity to improve the well-being of everyone. This is truly the best selling point.


13 Brian Powell { 12.05.09 at 10:01 am }

Hi Jen,

Well researched and packaged. I like the use of celebrities and corporate leaders promoting green because it makes it more of a positive role modeling activity than an admonishing or guilt instilling one. I like the incentives used for trend setters, and the sensationalist aspect of it. This all makes for something people would watch and sponsors would get the exposure they want. It would make it a grassroots as well as corporate effort. Kennedy decided to put a man on the moon, but this might prompt a political leader to get exposure and public support to start an inspiring project like urban replanning, reduction of packaging, reforesting, or cleaning up the pacific.


14 Annette Smith { 12.05.09 at 3:28 pm }

Great pitch, and a great idea. If you could get all the celebrities on board it would be a sure-fire thing.

As an investor I would have liked to see more about you and the management team. They would have to be fairly formidable to manage the egos of The Donald and Oprah.

I think I would be willing to invest in this venture for a number of reasons. First, you obviously have credibility or you would not have been able to get commitments from so many stars. Second, this is a very current topic and many people want to know more. Finally, the pitch was well thought out and designed.

Before I sign on the dotted line though, I would want to see a detailed business plan and CVs of the team.

Great job!
Annette


15 Len Pelletier { 12.05.09 at 4:27 pm }

Hi Jen,

Great idea! A network to showcase programming that inspires people to become more green while raking in the advertising revenue of all these new environmentally friendly products. Like others, I am baffled as to why this doesn’t currently exist. Make sure to sell episodes of your best shows on iTunes to those Yaletown hippies to watch while taking the Skytrain to yoga class!


16 Ernest Pao { 12.05.09 at 9:30 pm }

Well done, Jennie! A very well thought out and creatively written elevator pitch! The email/letter format was engaging and personalized an important issue in society…the environment. I could certainly relate to some of the ideas in your pitch (e.g. eating shark fin soup, polluted oceans, or drinking Coca Cola. You’re your images definitely helped hit home your message. Certainly got me intrigued in finding out what your Green Network is all about. I would most definitely select your pitch as one of my top 3.

In terms of your full pitch, I liked the blog format you have selected to present your pitch. You have done a good job summarizing what your Green Network is all about and how it will work. Your idea of getting high profile celebrities to be involved with your Green Network is a brilliant idea. It could potentially create a positive image for both your product and the celebrity him/her-self, thus the relationship would be mutually beneficial. I also enjoyed the videos that you have provided in your presentation. To the prospective investor, they help to make the investor visualize and realize the many problems that our society faces in terms of the environment. In my opinion, it helps to get them onside…a very good strategy! Your teachertube.com idea is a worthy idea that gets kids educated and involved in environmental issues. Kids are often even better advocates of the environment than their parents (in fact, many go home and teach their parents to be more environmentally conscious) so this is very wise strategy as well. Finally, the financials you have provided would help to solidify your pitch as one worthy of investment.

Excellent job, Jennie!

Ernie

PS – I won’t knock you on Tiger, since that is too recent news! 😉


17 Adam Rattray { 12.06.09 at 6:18 pm }

Hi Jen,
Great product. Glad to see that you chose a CSR product.
Your presentation didn”t really talk about your CEO and management team. It would have been nice to know who would be running the company. If Bono were running the company I would have to think twice about investing. You would be using celebrity to sell the network and the related products, but you did not really mention how you would convince so many high profile people to get on board. Would they be volunteering or would you pay them. If you had to pay them, it appears that you would need to generate a lot more investment funds. Your financial projections show that after 5 years the company is making less than $100 000 in profits. I am wondering how this will support celebrities like Tiger.
TV is a tough market as there are so many options for the consumer, but this is something original and in demand. Everyone is trying to go green these days. You are offering a lot of services and products. I think that in the beginning you will need to settle on one show or one product to help you carry your future aspirations. Think about Oprah building an entire empire from one show.
Great work!

Adam


18 jennie wong { 12.07.09 at 2:39 pm }

Adam,

I’ve done tons of research into this. Many of the celebrities that I have mention already work with one another. Oprah is actually quite passionate about saving the environment and taking the right steps into making a change. There is already just single shows here and there focused on helping the planet such as Daily Planet. What I am suggested is a Green Network. If you take a look at my financial projects, you will understand how the project will unfold. I have already mentioned the host which is the management team. I chose the bigger and most influential players.

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