A HOLIDAY MARKETING PLOY BRINGS UNEXPECTED JOY IN THE ORIGINAL ABC FAMILY MOVIE "DESPERATELY SEEKING SANTA," PREMIERING SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011 AT 8:00 PM ET/PT DURING THE NETWORK'S "COUNTDOWN TO 25 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS" PROGRAMMING EVENT

Burbank, CA (October 24, 2011) - A steely marketing executive gets more than she bargained for when her "Sexy Santa" contest winner turns out to be more than just a handsome face in the ABC Family original movie premiere of "Desperately Seeking Santa," on Sunday, November 27 (8:00 - 10:00 PM ET/PT). Starring Laura Vandervoort ("V," "Smallville") and Nick Zano ("2 Broke Girls," "The Final Destination"), this romantic holiday movie airs as part of the "Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas" programming event.

"Desperately Seeking Santa" follows Jennifer Walker (Vandervoort), an ambitious young marketing executive for the South Boston mall. With her eye on a promotion to vice president and a spot at corporate headquarters, Jennifer dreams up a plan to increase sales: a search for the hottest Santa in town. Teenage girls and their moms, even the local news anchor, flock to the mall to catch a glimpse of the handsome competitors. Before the contest even starts, Jennifer clashes with one of the contestants, David Moretti (Zano), an attractive South Boston native looking to win the $10,000 prize in a last ditch effort to save his family restaurant. David easily wins over the crowd with his good looks, sincere attitude and humble nature, and when the gorgeous winner of the contest becomes a local hero, sales at the mall go through the roof. Jennifer had counted on this new Santa to get her a promotion - not win her heart, complicate her life and question everything she ever wanted.

"Desperately Seeking Santa" is executive produced by Jesse Prupas, Joel S. Rice and Irene Dreayer. The movie was directed by Craig Pryce and written by Michael J. Murray.

ABC Family's annual programming event, "Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas," kicks off Sunday, November 20 with "Holiday in Handcuffs" (8:00 - 10:00 PM ET/PT), the network's highest rated telecast of all time. During the movie broadcast, viewers will get an exclusive 60-second sneak peek of the new "25 Days of Christmas" music video performed by triple platinum artists, The Band Perry. The entire video will be available immediately afterward online at ABCFamily.com/25Days. "Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas," which takes place from November 20 - 30, will also feature the television premiere of "The Search for Santa Paws" on Monday, November 21 (9:00 - 11:00 PM ET/PT).

Fans can get more information online at: http://abcfamily.com/25days Facebook.com/25DaysofChristmas Twitter.com/ABCF25Days Twitter hashtag: #25DaysofChristmas

Part of the Disney/ABC Television Group, ABC Family is distributed in over 98 million homes. ABC Family features programming reflecting today's families, entertaining and connecting with adults through relatable programming about today's relationships - told with a mix of diversity, passion, humor and heart. ABC Family's programming is a combination of network defining original series and original movies, quality acquired series and blockbuster theatricals. ABC Family is also the destination for annual holiday events with "13 Nights of Halloween" and "25 Days of Christmas." ABC Family. A New Kind of Family.