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SEARCH LAUNCHED FOR Dr.
Fad Seeks 10 Most Intelligent and Innovative Kids New York, N.Y., May 10, 2004 -- They may not be buying up million-dollar plots of land or bullying smaller, less powerful real estate developers, but somewhere amongst the country’s libraries, video arcades and playgrounds is a budding entrepreneur in line to become the next American success-story. Dr. Fad today launched a nationwide search for 10 of the country’s most intelligent and innovative children who will face the challenge of matching his creative wits, while coping with fame in the spotlight, on a new television show pilot-series, the first of which will tape later this month. Having introduced the Wacky WallWalker in 1982, which became one of the best-selling fad-toys of all time and earned him $20 million, Dr. Fad (a.k.a. Ken Hakuta) is looking for children with enough inventive genius to follow in his footsteps. Kids are asked to submit a description of an invention they’ve created for a chance to be featured on a new TV pilot-series in which Dr. Fad will provide guidance on how to take inventions to market. Dr. Fad wants to insure that children are not busying themselves with video games or television, but instead with solutions, ideas and the venue to make their dreams a reality. “Children often come up with the best ideas and solutions to tackling our everyday problems,” explained Ken Hakuta, a.k.a. Dr. Fad. “We are developing a show with a concept similar to ‘The Donald’s’ show, but this one will give kids an opportunity to prove their ambition, intelligence, creativity and know-how in an effort to make their inventions a success.” To become part of a new show pilot-series, interested kid-candidates between the ages of 13 and 17 should provide a written description of their concept for a dream invention for consideration. The top-ten candidates will be selected to participate in the pilot-series, in which they will receive unmatched advice and guidance from Dr. Fad on how to market and sell their inventions. Submissions, including the candidate’s name, age, address, phone number and e-mail address, should be sent along with the invention description, photo and test-product (if available) to: The Next Trump, c/o Jericho Communications, 304 Hudson Street, Suite 700, New York, NY 10013. All submissions must be received by May 31st. Whether or not candidates are selected for the pilot-series, Dr. Fad will provide personalized advice on how to make your dream invention a reality to all submissions. No stranger to television or to mentoring children, Dr. Fad’s Emmy-nominated "Dr. Fad Show" on PBS showcased kids' inventions and was syndicated nationally from 1987-1993. Continuing his pursuit to foster children’s imaginations, Dr. Fad intends this new show to seek out and challenge the unknown-but-one-day-to-be-successful businessmen and women and give them the recognition they deserve. Entrepreneur Ken Hakuta introduced the Wacky WallWalker, which became one of the best-selling fad-toys of all time and helped earn him the title "Dr. Fad." Ken had a series of eclectic and triumphant business endeavors -- all proving that his success is anything but a passing trend. In 1982, he purchased the North American distribution rights to the Wacky WallWalker, a plastic toy that crept down smooth surfaces. Over a period of six years, Hakuta earned $20 million while selling 250 million of this fad-toy. His Emmy-nominated "Dr. Fad Show" on PBS showcased kids' inventions and was syndicated nationally from 1987-1993. He is a graduate of the Harvard Business School and author of the best-selling book, "How To Create Your Own Fad and Make A Million Dollars." He has appeared on several national broadcast outlets including "The Today Show," "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "Late Show with Conan O'Brien," "Oprah Winfrey Show," "60 Minutes," "Larry King Live," "CBS Evening News with Dan Rather," "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" and VH1's "I Love the 80's," and in print outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Time magazine, Newsweek, BusinessWeek, Fortune and Forbes. To schedule an interview with “Dr. Fad” (Ken Hakuta), Please contact 212.645.6900 ext. 150.
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