or


SECRET MILLIONAIRE
Air Date: Sunday, March 27, 2011
Time Slot: 8:00 PM-9:00 PM EST on ABC
Episode Title: (#204) "John Ferber: Skid Row, Los Angeles, CA"
[NOTE: The following article is a press release issued by the aforementioned network and/or company. Any errors, typos, etc. are attributed to the original author. The release is reproduced solely for the dissemination of the enclosed information.]

INTERNET ENTREPRENEUR JOHN FERBER LEAVES HIS LIFE OF LUXURY TO LIVE AND WORK IN POVERTY ON SKID ROW, LOS ANGELES, ON ABC'S "SECRET MILLIONAIRE," SUNDAY, MARCH 27

"John Ferber: Skid Row, Los Angeles, CA" -- "Secret Millionaire" is a one-hour alternative series that follows six of America's most successful business people as they spend a week in the country's poorest areas and ultimately gift deserving members of the community with hundreds of thousands of dollars of their own money. Following the deaths of two close friends, millionaire Internet entrepreneur John Ferber came to the realization that there was more to life than work. He took the loss of his friends as a wake-up call to live life fully and be more hands-on with helping others, eventually starting his online charitable website, Microgiving.com. For six days, Ferber will leave his luxurious Florida home and live on welfare level wages for a week among the 15,000 nightly homeless inhabitants of Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles, California. While there, he will search for people and organizations that are actively making a difference in the surrounding homeless community. After giving of his time and efforts and building relationships in the community, he will surprise several of his new friends with donations of many thousands from his own fortune, on "Secret Millionaire" SUNDAY, MARCH 27 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on The ABC Television Network.

Ferber, along with his brother Scott, were the co-founders of Advertising.com, which was acquired by Time Warner in 2004. Advertising.com is one of the world's largest Interactive Marketing Services Companies. In 2007 he turned his attention toward philanthropy and finding new ways to use the Internet to help those in need. The result is Microgiving.com, which is quickly changing the face of charitable giving online. Ferber was born in Baltimore Maryland and currently resides in South Florida.

Based on the hit UK series of the same name, each episode of "Secret Millionaire" follows one of America's most successful business people for one week as they leave behind their lavish lifestyles, sprawling mansions and luxury jets, conceal their true identities, and go to live and volunteer in some of the most impoverished and dangerous neighborhoods in the country. Their mission is to discover deserving individuals who continually sacrifice everything to help those in need, and ultimately encourage others to do the same. Throughout this incredible, life-changing experience, the Secret Millionaires will attempt to remain undiscovered, coming face to face with extraordinary people battling the odds every day of their lives. On the final day, in an emotional and dramatic climax, they reveal their true identities. Ultimately, the millionaires will each give away a great deal of their own money, changing lives forever and encouraging others to keep giving back.

"Secret Millionaire" is executive-produced by Grant Mansfield, Natalka Znak, Claire O'Donohoe and Leslie Garvin. Paul Osborne is co-executive producer. The series is a Zodiak USA Production. Zodiak USA is the North American operations for Zodiak Media Group, one of the world's leading creators, producers and distributors of content for TV, radio, new media and cinema. Previously RDF USA, Zodiak USA's credits include "Wife Swap" (ABC), "Secret Millionaire" (ABC), "Hardcore Pawn" (truTV), "All Worked Up" (truTV), "The Boss is Coming to Dinner" (NBC) and the syndicated version of "Don't Forget the Lyrics" (20th Television, VH1, MyNetworkTV). Zodiak Media consists of 45 production companies with presence in 17 countries, including the U.S., the UK, France, Italy, Spain, Scandinavia and Russia. The Group also incorporates an international distribution business based in London and Paris whose catalogue boasts over 10,000 hours of content.

"Secret Millionaire" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format with a 5.1 channel surround sound. This program carries a TV-PG parental guideline.

Share |