Podcasting is not just a fad. It's the new radio.

As radio companies amalgamate and tuning drops on traditional radio there are many experts turning their attention to what other mediums out there listeners are using to entertain themselves. Aside from satellite radio, which seems to have a limited audience overall the only other leader in broadcast has sprung from the servers of independent broadcasters around the world in the form of podcasts.

Some stats show that podcasting reaches an almost even number of men and women and that overall number grows by 45% each year. Add to the mix the fact that auto manufacturers are racing (pun intended) to market with internet-enabled cars. This means that your new hybrid will likely make it really easy to download, store and access podcasts more than ever. Podcasting is not just catching on...it's on fire. 

Alec Baldwin has is own podcast and David Letterman was a guest. Come on...when mainstream celebs are getting in on the game, there must be an audience. 

RedFish Studios has been there for some time now. In that podcast "space".  It has been a time of discovery, invention and  excitement as we have launched 9 podcasts, all which have a place in their own category on iTunes in the top 200 consistently.  Humble and Fred, TurdPants and various comedy shows are really cooking right now with H&F even taking their show from the web to syndicated radio through Rogers Broadcasting. 

Now we are launching in the Lifestyle, Sports, and Entertainment realm with deals for content with major broadcasters in Canada and other markets around the world. 

Find out more about podcasting from RedFish today. 

Email: mike@redfishentertainment.com

RedFish unveils new commercials for MiiScan

RedFish Studios recently completed work on 21 new Television Commercials and even a live-concert commercial that aired before a major concert at Massey Hall in Toronto. The series of commercials was created for MiiScan. The project was a full-scale creative endeavour from writing all the way to editing and even scoring the commercials.  In conjunction with Magnus Dux, the agency which handles MiiScan, a series of descriptive, non-narrated spots were the mission and to translate that in 15 or even 10 seconds for some of the versions became the challenge which, ultimately was answered with moving graphics, stylish footage and a hip approach to instructing audiences in a cinematic format. 

The client, MiiScan is a revolutionary network of retailers and content providers through QR codes that are integrated into their secure payment system. Here is how they describe themselves:

"MiiScan is the safest and most convenient payment processing service in the industry today. Use your mobile device or tablet to purchase products and services in store, online, from TV or though any type of print media. Point and scan the MiiScan QR Code displayed by the merchant and our intelligent transaction flow will guide you through the rest. Your purchase will be complete in seconds."

The commercials will begin airing across Canada and in English-speaking markets around the world starting this week. 

RedFish Unveils a New Website and Logo

A new logo, a new website and an updated line of services are brining new clients into RedFish Studios in an era where the entertainment business is changing daily.

A new logo design was the mission and it was handed off to the most unlikely of cast-members at RedFish, Tarik Pirbhai. He is often consulted on accounting and contract matters but too rarely it seemed on creative issues. That all changed at a meeting when it was casually brought up that we needed a logo that was more widely received. 

Tarik said, "I'll handle this one!"  And that is exactly what he did. In a week with five iterations and four review councils, the new logo was agreed upon and it became a part of a new, bigger undertaking: The RedFish Studios website.

It seemed to happen right before my very eyes. It is not often that I am so blown away with someone's work that I want to shout about it, but Paul Cookson at Ace Web Design in Toronto had me winding up to scream his accolades at the top of a mountain. Our new website is very dynamic and easy to navigate. Not to mention it is pretty easy on the eyes. Ask us anytime who we recommend to build your site and you will hear, "ACE!!!! You need an ACE!".

We hope you like the site and the new logo. Now here is the real juice. We have added some new services to our line-up including podcasting and video podcasting services in our studios and live on location. We have three new pod studios for audio and two ready for video including green-screen ready sets for a polished look and sound that will make your podcast among the best-produced available on iTunes.

                                                      Find out more: 416 593 8881, ext 24

Humble and Fred Radio - A community builds....

Well, I have refrained from blogging about this for a few days now because I wanted to make sure that I gave an accurate description of what it is like with the Humble and Fred Radio show buzzing away like a laugh-circus in our studios. It is day 6. A week ago today the makings of a legendary story took place when Humble Howard Glassman and his long-time air-mate, Freddie P (Patterson) took to the airwaves free of management, consultants and even pay-cheques to embark on their podcast. How is your podcast doing, Johnny Podcaster? Well let me tell you for two guys who were really afraid they would not get more than 500 listeners when they got going they are stunned at the response.

Downloads of the show are in the tens of thousands on a daily basis already and even the sponsors are getting a keen response. In the first week they have already had Music Historian and Toronto radio Legend Alan Cross in, Lee Harvey Oswald's girlfriend and special appearances by Dan Duran and the lovable characters Papa and Uncle Vince.

The show sounds better than radio and the guys are even mixing in some "spririt of radio" music selections that make you say..."Holy shit! I LOVE this song!". Humble and Fred are back and it's a big deal. Listeners are already entering contests and sending mail like crazy....it's the real thing.

I am so thrilled for the guys. They are really nice guys and they deserve to succeed at this because they are doing it for all the right reasons.

RedFish announces impending Launch of WiseAd Agency

With over 150 commercial and vignette productions under our belt, many of our commercial clients have been reaching out for more services from us. The organic germination of WiseAd was something to behold. We did not seek it out. We did not market our line of abilities. We merely listened to our clients and found out that what they needed was easily answered by our existing in-house team of professionals.

"We had a vast media buying expertise sitting right next to very talented creative people. We just had to focus the abilities of these people on the immediate and long-term needs of our clients. It just happened. It all happened for the right reasons at the right time", says Mike Wixson, President of RedFish and now also of WiseAd Agency.

The new marketing firm launches with some very impressive clients including:

Basic Funerals - Toronto, Chicago, California for creative and media.

Cambridge Life Solutions - National Canadian Client for creative and media.

Grand Alarms - Online media creative, TV creative and media.

Mortgage Alliance - Online creative campaign.

The agency has plans to remain grass-roots and up-close with clients and for this reason growth plans will actually limit the number of new clients it takes on each year.

"We have a mission based on loyalty to our clients. We can never have too many pebbles on our beach at any one time", Wixson explains.

Watch for the launch of WiseAd online in the coming weeks.

The Research is out about Video on the Web.

We have put together a culmination of the most recent research from various research firms that confirm what we have been feeling in the marketing realm for some time as it applies to video online.

Have a look for yourself in a highlight document we produced for our Brandcast sales team. It is fascinating. Many thanks to Andrew Newton for his eyes on the market place and keeping us in tune with what is really happening with online viewing habits.

Download the document by clicking here.

Limo10 gets a Pilot

What do you get when you put Rob Iafrate, owner of A Celebrity Limousine and the creative team at RedFish? You get a new and exciting game show that takes place in a limo. Yes, yes....we have all seen the cab show. This is nothing like that aside from the fact that you can win prizes and that you are in an automobile. Limo 10, is a game of discovery that involves a group of people, a destination a limo and some great prizes.

RedFish goes into production in two weeks with a pilot for the show to launch at the Miami NATPE conference this winter.

Are you ready to ride?

More info about Limo 10? Contact: Mike Wixson - mike@redfishentertainment.com

BBQ 101 is the hottest kitchen in the cave

Well the day has arrived for all men to enjoy a cooking show about the food they love to cook the most, BBQ! The Cave TV across Canada this week launched BBQ 101 with Two Guys and a Grill. The show features host Humble Howard alongside his good buddy and BBQ Expert, BBQ Naz Cavallaro. Together these two have made cooking on the grill a snap for just about anyone with a BBQ. From cooking to cleaning the whole process is made simple and delicious.

Watch for BBQ 101 on air now on THE CAVE. New episodes in production now.

Now in Development - Man Up! Grows Up.

Over the next four weeks, RedFish Studios will be buzzing. We are in post-production with BBQ 101 for the newly re-launched CaveTV (formerly MenTV) for broadcast coast-to-coast. We are in final stages of production with the second Season of Last Bride Standing...and now...More ManUP!

That's right. Just when you thought we could not get crazier...you were right. This time ManUp! is going big-time reaching out to adventure-reality. Without giving away too many details about the show, let me assure you: If you can even muster the courage to be a contestant you are a bigger man than most I know.

This time danger and adventure is the focus. Mainly danger. Tim and Howard are constantly screaming with delight as they figure out ways to make our contestants scream with fear.

Details about the new Man Up - The Adventure Show as news breaks.

BBQ 101 production goes brilliantly

The first six episodes of BBQ 101 are in the can and off to editing. The new series to air on The Cave (formerly MenTV) across Canada starting this summer looks great and has all the information a BBQ enthusiast needs to become a BBQ expert in their world.

Produced by RedFish Studios and shot on location in Ontario the show is hosted by Humble Howard (Howard Glassman) and BBQ Naz (Naz Cavallaro). Just two guys and a grill. Naz is the master of the grill and his job on the show is to teach Howard (and viewers) how to get the best tasting BBQ you ever dreamed of.

The show is colourful and fun and the production quality is superior to most cooking shows. It is a great way to launch a new breed of cooking show - with great production values and even some innovations for cooking show broadcast that are sure to change the way foodies see cooking shows in the future.

Look for BBQ 101 - With two guys and a grill mid August on The Cave.

RedFish and Brandcast turn some heads

Over the last four weeks, RedFish has seen an incredible build of momentum around the broadcast products Brandcast is promoting in Canada and the US. Over 30 companies have already signed up for various shows and production of their segments for TV are underway.

The project came about with the economic downturn when RedFish Studios founder, Mike Wixson and Tarik Pirbhai, RedFish COO began to contemplate what brands need on a local level to achieve impact on TV. The end result was a series of TV production products that are a turnkey and tailor-fit solution for almost any regionalized brand.

"Now companies that would normally not be able to attach their brand to a TV campaign are able to get on TV and tell their story. It's more than an ad. It is a news-style report about their business that offers a credible look a their company" Wixson says.

The brand building project seems to have hit the mark with many local businesses in Toronto and Miami. Already two half-hour shows are sold out in each market.

This week Brandcast and RedFish will announce the launch of 1 minute reports that air on multiple stations in a market with multiple airings on each station. This news has already gotten the attention of many ad agencies and marketing departments because it is the ultimate cost/credibility solution for advertising. It includes production and media but also offers a credible report-style presentation which makes it entirely more intriguing to viewers than your average 30 second commercial.

Visit Brandcast today at www.brandcast.info

RedFish Studios busy with Brandcast Shows

RedFish Studios is in full-swing already this spring with four Brandcast broadcast productions for Ontario and South Florida.

Right now crews are on location shooting segments for Cosmetic Transformations, a show that features experts in the field of cosmetic services of all kinds. The Goldberg Center for Laser Vision Correction segment will posted shortly for you to sample.

Also in production in Toronto is Home Advantage featuring experts who will help you make the most of your home.

The shows air in just weeks from now on SunTV across Ontario on Cable and across the country on ExpressView. You can find out more about how your business can take advantage of Brandcast TV properties for less than $4,000/production included, contact: Matt House - 416 593 8881

Brandcast is a RedFish project. You can find out more right here.

The Last Bride Standing has finally sat down.

Without giving any juicy details away about Season Two of Last Bride Standing let it be said that there is a new champion. Before nine this morning, the last bride showed her stamina to be the best out of over 25 competing brides. The show was created by owner of Le Jardin, Conference and Event Center in Woodbridge, Ontario. He is featured prominently in Last Bride Standing as the Ring Leader and Contest Host. His Long Valley Productions owns the show and has contracted RedFish Studios to produce the it for international broadcast sales.

The RedFish crew providing production for Long Valley Productions on Last Bride Standing wrapped the set and interviews just moments ago. The show heads directly into post-production this week for 13 gripping episodes covering the entire event.

The show wrapped this morning at Toronto's Bridal Show which continues on all weekend at the Toronto Congress Center. There are almost 200 exhibitors reaching out to the bridal crowd with an unbelievable range of offerings.

Hats off to the RedFish crew for overcoming the challenges the come hand in hand with these kinds production projects. A job well-done in a world of round-the-clock production.

A glimpse into the Last Bride Standing Reality Show Production

We will try to keep you posted with new images as the days go by.
Here are a few images to wet your whistle for this season of Last Bride Standing

Last Bride Standing - Part Deux - Shooting On Location

A second season for Last Bride Standing has RedFish in production in multiple locations over the next week around the clock.

That's right Last Bride Standing is back and this time it has become a major happening. Last season there were 21 brides, this season there are 32. Last season the whole contest took place at Le Jardin in Vaughan (amazing place for any function - blatant plug for a great place), this season the contest starts at LeJardin and moves to two other locations. Last season there was a grand prize of $75,000 and this season it is over 100 grand to winner. Yes, Last Bride Standing has grown up quick. This year the show will even culminate at the Toronto's Bridal Show at the Congress Center in front of thousands of brides-to-be and their entourage.

A favorable audience response in season one has fueled the creative passion in Carlo Parentela, the host of the contest and the creator of Last Bride Standing, to make this season a real calling card for future episodes around the world.

"Carlo sees the value in what he is doing as an entertainment vehicle, but this time he brought in the entire wedding industry in Ontario to make it outrageous and unmistakable." Mike Wixson, Executive Producer at RedFish laughs as he summarizes Parentela's drive to make this show an international success. "There is no question that he has major plans for this show. Our job is to execute it as a showpiece for international broadcast sales. And this is exactly what we will do. The contest is the best fodder for a reality series ever."

RedFish will work with Long Valley Productions, the creators of the concept to develop a second season of compelling TV that is sure to have you picking your favorite to win by the end of the first episode.

Here is a quick clip from what we shot at orientation. It is, as we say in the biz: "A rush" from the first night of shooting last week.

RedFish goes into production with BBQ 101

Recently RedFish stuck a deal with SunTV to create an inaugural 6 episodes of a high-end cooking show that would highlight the BBQ. The result: BBQ 101 with Funny Foodie Humble Howard and BBQ Master Naz Cavallero. Together these two will take your skills at the grill to a whole new level. Being shot on location in Ontario, the series is set to debut this summer on SunTV and MenTV across the country.

For more details about how to become a sponsor or to find out more about broadcast details of the show, contact: Mike Wixson - RedFish Studios - 416 593 8881

Last Bride Standing finale met with cheers!

SunTV reality series draws to a dramatic close.

After 13 weeks of dramatic happenings on the first-ever Last Bride Standing show has lead to a finale that is worthy of tears, cheers and contemplation. Created by Carlo Parentela of Le Jardin Conference and Event Center and Directed by Humble Howard Glassman of RedFish Studios, the show garnered more and more viewers each week until finally we saw the winning bride walk away with wedding worth over $60,000!

The final episode aired quite coincidentally on Valentines day which is quite suiting as the last show was a fine example of what love can actually accomplish.

The final twists and turns highlighted the final four girls on the wall and how they handled the stress of a final challenge to see who would win the big prize. After five days and nights holding a wall, what happens in the last 5 minutes of the show is absolutely stunning! It will renew your faith in humanity even if just for a moment.

Without giving away the ending (which will naturally air again soon) the winning bride in many ways owed her win to more than just her stamina. She was actually aided by at least one competing bride who simply felt that she did not need the wedding like the bride she seemingly let take the prize. A true act of kindness and humanity. Nice to see on TV. Rare to see on TV.

Congrats go out to Carlo and Howard who made the show a brilliant success. Huge Kudos go to the editing and audio creative post that was handled by Angela Schermaul and Andrew Newton for is outstanding work as Director of Production on the series. Well done. Let's make more!

Mike Wixson

Executive Producer

RedFish Studios

Last Bride Standing finale met with cheers!

The Zen Pragmatist - Tarik Pirbhai is the real boss.

Tarik Pirhbai is truly a great guy. He is a truly loving husband and father. He is a good friend.

He is the RedFish honcho in charge of...in charge of...well he is pretty much the Prime Minister of RedFish. That is he is what we wish the Prime Minister of our country could be. Tarik is the President (actually he may be the CEO...I never get that junk right). The guy who makes things happen on all matters of business. He the yin to my business yang. And god knows, I can yang a business like no one you know. Tarik is the balance. While I spin wildly for clients and broadcasters, he navigates the waters I churn making sure we get back to our loved ones safely at the end of the day.

He is pragmatist. But not to a fault. I have heard him dream aloud. He is goal-oriented and is keenly demanding of everyone on our crew - most of all himself. He has a zen-like quality to him and I often refer to him not-so-jokingly as Deepa Chopra. Calm. Calm. Calm.

It is important to take a minute once in a while to note that Tarik is there. He is quiet and thoughtful. He is caring and kind. He will let you know exactly how he feels and make no bones about how much of the load is yours to carry alongside everyone else. I love that about him. The truth is, I love everything about him.

I have never...ever...even once, seen him lose his cool. One of his great friends at work is Humble Howard. To throw down the laughs with a pro stand up comic can be a challenge, but Tarik sometimes let Howard get the last laugh. He is business up front and smart-ass through and through.

He will outsmart you and just as easily learn from you. He is a terrible floor hockey player. I mean he looks entirely out of sorts with a hockey stick . That's what growing up in Scotland gets you. Just so he doesn't feel bad if he reads this: Tarik makes a mean Banoffee Pie. It is seriously great. So he has that going for him.

On the business front: During times of financial disarray on a global scale, Tarik has helped to make a company grow. That is to be commended. He is constantly on the prowl for market opportunities, expansion of the company and creating the right partnerships to do what we need to as a company to make a legacy for ourselves, our partners and our clients. He is savvy and arms himself with the best team of professionals out there. To handle his meticulous attention to detail requires skill.

If you read this and you know Tarik. Send him a nice note. He is the kind of person who will really enjoy that. That is just the kind of guy he is.

Thank you so much, partner.

Those words aren't enough.

Mike Wixson

Executive Producer

RedFish Entertainment

Crafting a National Commercial under $30k? Writing. Writing. Writing.

This blog is a shout out to the creative minds out there who really think through what a brand should be able to accomplish for the least amount of money. They are the creative directors and writers out there who make the themes, characters, and script become a moment in time for a brand.

Sure there are commercials out there that amaze us with super-expensive seconds of high-impact effects and outrageous staging, but the truth is that I have seen many commercials with incredibly inexpensive production means make the same impact if not greater because the themes were clever. Not cheeky. Clever.

So, can a commercial be produced cheap? Cheap ones can...you know "I'm the Cash Man" (the look awful and feel awful and work locally) and then there are commercials that work with budgets which need to be extended through the only means available: creative.

It is possible to write a low-budget, effective commercial for TV, cinema and web. We have done it. Peel Region Public Health Unit and Fingerprint Communications brought us a commercial that was so clever that the budget was invisible to the viewer. The spot won an international award of excellence and a year and a half later, I am still seeing it in my local cinema. Here is that commercial. It has almost 30,000 views on YouTube, as well. Not a costly commercial, but a very clever, one. I have noticed teens snickering in the cinema and at one showing I saw of it, it got more laughs than any other commercial - one of them for Pepsi using a major sports celebrity.

The message here is this: Only You Can Prevent Big Budgets (I am Woodsey the Production Owl, I guess). Creative can be written to be really effective and make your brand stand out without spending more than $20 or $30k. Sometimes even less.