"The Lost Valentine" co-written/produced by Ridini Entertainment's Maryann Ridini Spencer (from the novel by James Michael Pratt)

On Friday, February 10, 2012 the winners of the 20th Annual Movieguide® 2012 Faith and Values Awards were announced at the Universal Hilton Hotel in Hollywood. A number of worthy films and television programs received prizes for their positive elements from patriotism to family values.

The television winner of the Faith & Freedom Award  (for promoting positive American values),  went to “The Lost Valentine” from Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, though there were other worthy contenders, including “Engaged” from NCIS, the “Indelible” episode from CSI, “KJB: The Book that Changed the World,” from BBC Two, “Vietnam in HD, Part 1 and 2” from the History Channel, and “Who is Simon Miller?” from Procter & Gamble Productions and Walmart.

Movieguide® chooses movies and television programs that positively impact the world community by presenting a balanced view of what makes America great – it’s ideals of justice, liberty, religious freedom and protection of the innocent.   CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.

 Also visit, http://movieguideawards.com/

“The Lost Valentine” is a Hallmark Hall of Fame Production in Association with Paulist Productions, Atchity Entertainment International and Ridini Entertainment Corporation.  “The Lost Valentine” is co-written/produced by Ridini Entertainment’s Maryann Ridini Spencer based on the best-selling novel by James Michael Pratt.

CLICK HERE To Read More About the making of  “The Lost Valentine.”

Recently, I was visiting Encino Health & Wellness Day Spa in Encino, Ca.   I picked up an issue of American Spa and started to read.

There was an article,  Classroom: YouTube Sensation by Jamie Ginsberg.  While the article related why YouTube is a valuable sales tool for spas, and the fact that more than 3 billion videos are viewed on YouTube everyday (with 100 million people engaging socially with the videos on a weekly basis), the article’s author put into words a trend that I have been noticing for the past few years — the importance of developing/creating and marketing online videos to brand and promote your business, product and/or event.

Using video in your consumer outreach marketing, combined with the more traditional PR methods (press kit/press release distribution, coordinating media interviews in newspaper, radio, TV and online press), is an essential tool in any effective PR and marketing campaign whether your business be a spa, a consumer products company, a publishing house, a government office, a national company or a small local shop.

For years working with NBC/Universal, there was always talk of “cross promotions” in staff meetings — i.e. coordinating events, photo ops, contests and multiple marketing partners in branded consumer outreach.  Employing cross promotion strategies was vital in terms of reaching key consumer markets.  Because of the plethora of how consumers were reached in the new media — online, on mobile, TV, Cable, Radio,  and via other technologies — no longer was traditional TV &  print advertising or traditional PR methods,  the only players in town.

Today, with the popularity of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, company blogs, etc., the VIDEO plays an even more important role in the PR/Marketing and cross promotional arsenal —  creating a branded buzz for your business or product.

The World of the INTERNET is a VISUAL world, you’re either in the game or out of it!

Ridini Entertainment Corporation (REC) was established specifically as a venue for me to work in both public relations/marketing and TV/Film production.  Little did I know when the company doors opened in 1990, that the world of marketing would have changed and developed into the social media cross promotional marketplace it has.

With the emergence of social media,  at REC, in addition to employing traditional PR strategies and producing/distributing branded video, we found it necessary to be able to develop, build and maintain websites, blogs, social media pages, in-house.  We also use our PR/Marketing and Event expertise to create a variety of traditional and new cross promotional strategies, working as our client’s proactive, strategic partners.

For me, this new world of PR•Marketing•Social Media, is thrilling.  I get to combine my favorite areas of expertise — with a few more acquired skills.   The sky is truly the limit.  At REC, there isn’t any job in PR/Marketing, Event Planning, Website Design & Maintenance and Video Creation, Production & Distribution we haven’t been involved with or delivered.  We provide full service campaigns and/or special project assistance.

REC has worked with name national and international brands in a variety of industries:  Entertainment, Education, Environmental, Food/Epicurean, Government, Sports, Health & Fitness, Medicine, Consumer Products, Travel/Hospitality, Non-profits, Technology, Publishing/Books, to name only a few.   For a sample client list visit our website, RidiniEntertainment.com.

Why pay for costly individual vendors when REC can be your one stop shop providing a comprehensive marketing plan at a reasonable cost?

Let REC be your proactive media partner!

Public Relations & Marketing

Website & Blog Design & Maintenance

Writing Services

Video, Podcast & App Productions

Give us a call today at 818/884-0104 or email:   info@ridinientertainment.com. 

– Maryann Ridini Spencer, President, Ridini Entertainment Corporation

CLICK HERE to Visit Us on YouTube!

Need a videotape of your lecture, class, presentation, workshop or talk

for your website or to sell? Also Visit:  GreatTalk.TV

The Lost Valentine (based on the novel "The Last Valentine" by James Michael Pratt) Teleplay by Maryann Ridini Spencer and Barton Taney

Congratulations Betty White on your nomination for “Outstanding Perofrmance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries” for “Hallmark Hall of Fame:  The Lost Valentine.” (A Hallmark Hall of Fame Production in Association with Paulist Productions, Atchity Entertainment International and Ridini Entertainment Corporation).  Film stars:  Betty White, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Sean Faris. Teleplay:  Maryann Ridini Spencer and Barton Taney.  Director:  Darnell Martin.  

Producers:
Eric Andrews     ….    co-producer
Kenneth Atchity     ….    co-producer
Barbara Gangi     ….    producer
Andrew Gottlieb     ….    producer
Jennifer Love Hewitt     ….    executive producer
Cameron Johann     ….    co-producer
Christopher Morgan     ….    line producer
Maryann Ridini Spencer     ….    co-producer
Brent Shields     ….    executive producer
Chi-Li Wong     ….    co-producer

“The Lost Valentine” is based on the novel (“The Lost Valentine” also published as “The Last Valentine”)  by author James Michael Pratt.

READ ENTERTAINMENT NEWS ARTICLE

VARIETY ARTICLE

FULL Cast & Crew Information

CLICK HERE FOR:  More information

Ridini Entertainment's Maryann Ridini Spencer to write NEW Column "VC Style"

October 28, 2011 — Los Angeles and Ventura, CA – - Maryann Ridini Spencer, Writer/Producer/Host & President of Ridini Entertainment Corporation, will write the new lifestyle column/blog, “VC Style,” focusing on all aspects of healthy living as well as environmentally-friendly topics for Ventura County Star.  The column will feature videos, articles and more!

Ridini Spencer has written for such publications as:  Palm Springs Life Magazine, Los Angeles Magazine, California Magazine, Hi-Def and Soap Opera Digest, to name only a few.  Her beats have included:  lifestyle, food/restaurant, health & fitness, environmental, entertainment and women’s issues.

Ridini Spencer currently produces, writes and hosts two television series, Simply Delicious Living with Maryann,^®  (an ongoing TV series dedicated to all things home, hearth and joyous living that airs 24/7 on Time Warner Cable ON DEMAND to an audience of 1.8 million digital subscribers throughout Southern California), and “Sustainable Ventura” (co-hosting with Ray Olson),  showcasing environmental and sustainable practices, issues, programs and happenings taking place in Ventura (airing on Ventura’s Caps-TV).

Ridini Spencer will continue to serve as president of Ridini Entertainment Corp., (“REC”), a PR/marketing and TV/film/video production firm she founded in 1990.  Under her company banner, she has produced movies for such networks as:  Showtime, The Movie Channel, Sy Fy Network and USA Networks, as well as for foreign distribution.

Most recently via REC, Ridini Spencer co-wrote/produced the Hallmark Hall of Fame production “The Lost Valentine,” starring Jennifer Love Hewitt and Betty White, for CBS-TV (January 2011).  The film was  Hallmark Hall of Fame’s most highly rated movie in four years and won CBS-TV the night with over 15 million viewers tuning in.  Upcoming movie projects in the works include:   Ticket Home, The Good Heart, Best Friends Forever, The Alyce Morris Winston Story and Harrington House.

Previously, Ridini Spencer worked as a producer/writer/director, at CNN’s Los Angeles bureau. She has also written, produced and/or directed a variety of TV news magazine series and talk shows focusing on health and fitness, home, sustainable living and business.

For more information, visit:  www.RidiniEntertainment.com

Would you like to compost but were afraid to try?   In “Sustainable Ventura’s”  November 2011 show, host Maryann Ridini Spencer takes a visit to a Compost Workshop at the Green Thumb Nursery in Ventura to talk to the experts! Ray Olson visits with Bill Camarillo at Agromin and the show takes a look at composting in the Old West!

About Sustainable Ventura

“Sustainable Ventura,” an Environmental Sustainability Production in Association with Ridini Entertainment, is hosted by Maryann Ridini Spencer and Ray Olson and seen on CAPS-TV’s VTV, Channel 15 on Thursdays at 8:30pm. The show rebroadcasts Monday-Thursday and Saturdays at 9:00am, Sundays at 8:30pm and every other Wednesday at 8:30pm.

The show showcases environmental and sustainable practices, programs, events, issues and happenings taking place in and/or offered by the City of Ventura.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Visit:  www.SustainableVentura.wordpress.com

CHECK US OUT!

For Immediate Release

PALM SPRINGS LIFE NAMES

MARYANN RIDINI SPENCER AS FOOD EDITOR

Maryann Ridini Spencer Named Food Editor, Palm Springs Life Magazine

PALM SPRINGS, CA (February 16, 2011) — Palm Springs Life has appointed journalist and TV/film producer/writer/host Maryann Ridini Spencer as food editor, the magazine announced today. In this position, she will contribute editorial features and coordinate the magazine’s popular Great Restaurants (September edition) and Dine Out (January Edition) special sections.

Ridini Spencer will contribute editorial to Palm Springs Life, Desert Guide, and www.palmspringslife.com. She will also write, produce and host video segments for the magazine and website.

“Maryann is a natural fit to expand the epicurean content of our publications and website,” says Steven Biller, editor-in-chief of Palm Springs Life. “Maryann has contributed food and lifestyle content to the magazine as a freelancer for several years and we value her contributions.”

Longtime Palm Springs Life food editor Donna Curran remains a contributing editor, writing periodically about food and entertaining.

Ridini Spencer has written for Los Angeles Magazine, California Magazine, Hi-Def, and Soap Opera Digest. As a producer/writer/director, she worked in CNN’s Los Angeles bureau and has also written, produced and/or directed a number of TV series and specials (home, health and fitness, talk and news magazines), and movies for Showtime, SyFy Channel, The Movie Channel, and USA Networks. She continues to produce and host news segments for various networks on a variety of topics in addition to writing/producing movies.

Currently, she produces/directs/writes and hosts, Simply Delicious Living with Maryann,^® the short-form video series that serves up recipes and is dedicated to all things home, hearth, and joyous living.  The show, which premiered in the Coachella Valley in October 2010, is now available on Time Warner Cable Desert Cities On Demand ^® (Channel 110 in the Desert) throughout Southern California to an audience of approximately 1.8 million subscribers.  The show can also be seen online at:  www.SimplyDeliciousLiving.tv

“I’m excited to work with Palm Springs Life in this role,” says Ridini Spencer. “Food, writing, and production are my passions, and I look forward to presenting content and features in both print and in video formats to provide first-class content for the magazine’s discerning readers.”

Ridini Spencer will continue to serve as president of Ridini Entertainment Corp., a PR/marketing and TV/film production firm she founded in 1990. Most recently, under her company banner, Ridini Spencer co-wrote/produced the Hallmark Hall of Fame production “The Lost Valentine,” starring Jennifer Love Hewitt and Betty White, for CBS-TV.

Palm Springs Life

Palm Springs Life brings its readers engaging and topical monthly articles, including richly drawn celebrity profiles; intelligent features on contemporary culture, art, architecture, and lifestyle trends; the desert’s vibrant social scene; and the ultimate guide for what to do, where to go and what to wear in the Palm Springs Desert Resorts communities.

Palm Springs Life is the essential lifestyle magazine for the Palm Springs Desert Resorts, which is comprised of nine dynamic cities. Enriching the lives of residents and visitors from around the world for more than 50 years, Palm Springs Life has achieved icon status during its successful history — which places it in rarefied company in the publishing world. Palm Springs Life is published by Desert Publications Inc., which produces lifestyle magazines throughout the West Coast.

For more information visit www.palmspringslife.com

and

Contact:

Lydia Kremer

Vortex Public Relations

760-322-2502

###

Click here to view the embedded video.

JENNIFER LOVE HEWITT (Executive Producer & “Susan Allison”)

Click here to view the embedded video.

MARYANN RIDINI SPENCER, Co-Writer/Producer

Talks about why she optioned the book to write/produce the Teleplay

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

ABOUT THE FILM:  MONSTERSANDCRITICS.com

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/smallscreen/news/article_1615749.php/Hallmark-film-delight-Tonight-Betty-White-s-The-Lost-Valentine-preview

The Lost Valentine, CBS-TV, January 30, 2011, 9PM ET/PT

HALLMARK HALL OF FAME’s “The Lost Valentine” starring Jennifer Love Hewitt and Betty White (co-written/produced by Ridini Entertainment’s Maryann Ridini Spencer) wins the night with the highest ratings for Hallmark movies in 4 years!

The film was a huge success which not only won its time period in viewers (14.53 million, beating out Fox’s second hour of coverage of the NFL Pro Bowl) but represented the most-watched Hallmark movie in four years (since the film Valley of Light aired in January 2007).  CBS, as the result, finished the night as the most-watched network (11.8 million). Fox was second (11.4 million), followed by ABC (7.5 million) and NBC (4.6 million)!

READ MORE:

http://www.cbspressexpress.com/div.php/cbs_entertainment/release?id=27411

FIND OUT WHY MARYANN OPTIONED THE BOOK TO PRODUCE & WRITE THE TELEPLAY:

Click here to view the embedded video.

PRESS CLIP SAMPLING FOR “THE LOST VALENTINE”

USA TODAY

“The Lost Valentine” seduced 14.5 million viewers Sunday…READ MORE click the link below!

http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2011-02-02-nielchatter02_ST_N.htm?sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4d49968979bc5631%2C0

USA TODAY’S CRITIC’S CORNER:

http://www.usatoday.com/life/columnist/criticscorner/2011-01-27-critics-corner_N.htm?sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4d448acc888e0684%2C0

TV GUIDE’S HOT LIST:

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Tonights-TV-Hot-1028482.aspx
MOVIE GUIDE REVIEW:

http://www.movieguide.org/articles/main/tv-review-the-lost-valentine.html?sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4d448c38352a217d%2C0

ASSOCIATED PRESS:

http://www.wcnc.com/entertainment/more/115041284.html

THE LOST VALENTINE:  Teleplay by Maryann Ridini Spencer and Barton Taney. Jennifer Love Hewitt and Brent Shields serve as Executive Producers. Barbara Gangi is producer.  It is produced by Andrew Gottlieb and co-produced by Ken Atchity, Chi-Li Wong and Maryann Ridini Spencer. Darnell Martin directs. The project is a Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, Inc. in Association with Paulist Productions, Atchity Entertainment International and Ridini Entertainment Corporation.

The Hallmark Hall of Fame World Premiere of “The Lost Valentine” starring Jennifer Love Hewitt and Betty White airs, Sunday, January 30, 2011, 9PM ET/PT on CBS-TV.

The project was co-written/produced by Ridini Entertainment’s Maryann Ridini Spencer.

Click here to view the embedded video.

VIEW CBS-TV interview with Maryann Ridini Spencer – CLICK ON IMAGE!

Maryann Ridini Spencer, Co-Writer/Producer "The Lost Valentine"

Also Visit:

http://www.hhof.tv/interviews/8

FROM:

http://www.cbspressexpress.com/div.php/cbs_entertainment/release?id=26934

JENNIFER LOVE HEWITT AND BETTY WHITE

STAR IN

THE HALLMARK HALL OF FAME PRESENTATION

“THE LOST VALENTINE”

SUNDAY, JAN. 30, 2011

9:00 PM ET/PT

ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK

Jennifer Love Hewitt and Betty White star in THE LOST VALENTINE, the 241^st Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation, to be broadcast Sunday, Jan. 30 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.  In the drama, a TV reporter’s (Hewitt) own love life is impacted by her Valentine’s Day-themed assignment to profile a woman (White) whose love for her husband remains as strong as when she last saw him several months before he was declared MIA while serving during WWII.

The movie begins during WWII when Caroline (Meghann Fahy), a pregnant young woman, goes to Union Station to see her navy pilot husband, Neil Thomas (Billy Magnussen), off as he departs for active duty.  It’s Valentine’s Day and happens to also be their one-year wedding anniversary.  Before their son is born, Neil’s plane goes down in the Pacific and he’s declared missing in action and never located.  But every year on their anniversary-up to present day-a now older Caroline (White), who never remarried, returns to Union Station to salute the memory of her lost husband.

Sixty-five years later, Susan (Hewitt), a TV reporter, is assigned to do a human interest story on how Caroline has kept her love alive all these years.  Caroline is reluctant to be profiled; however, Susan is persistent and, to the frustration of Caroline’s protective grandson, Lucas (Sean Faris), Caroline eventually concedes.  When Susan decides to try to help Caroline get some much-needed closure by secretly attempting to discover what happened to Neil 65 years earlier, Lucas eventually starts to see a different and appealing side of Susan.  Susan, meanwhile, is torn about her long-time boyfriend’s marriage proposal and finds herself wanting to spend more and more time with Lucas.

Recently, Jennifer Love Hewitt completed a five-year run in the lead role of Melinda Gordon on CBS’s drama series, “Ghost Whisperer.”  Her additional television credits include the lead role in the cable movie, “The Client List,” which she also produced; the title role in the movie, “The Audrey Hepburn Story,” and a recurring role as Sarah Reeves on the drama series, “Party of Five.”  Among her feature film credits are “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” “I Still Know What You Did Last Summer,” “Heartbreakers,” “The Tuxedo,” “Garfield,” “Garfield 2: A Tale of Two Kitties” and the independent features “If Only,” which she produced via her production company, and “The Truth about Love.”  Her first book, The Day I Shot Cupid, was a New York Times best-seller.

Seven-time Emmy Award winner Betty White’s acting credits span over 60 years.  She is currently starring in the second season of the cable series, “Hot In Cleveland.”  Last season, she hosted one of the highest-rated “Saturday Night Live” episodes, for which she won an Emmy Award for “Guest Actress in a Comedy Series.”  Her memorable portrayal of Sue Ann Nivens on CBS’s “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” earned her two Emmy Awards and she garnered an additional Emmy win for her popular character, Rose Nylund, on “The Golden Girls.”   For the title role in her first comedy series, “Life with Elizabeth,” which she also produced and wrote, she won another Emmy Award, and she earned a Daytime Emmy Award for “Best Daytime Game Show Host” for “Just Men.”  White had a regular role on the series, “Mama’s Family,” and has had recurring roles on series such as “Boston Legal,” “That ’70s Show” and CBS’s daytime drama, “The Bold and the Beautiful.”  In addition, she guest-starred on “The John Laroquette Show” (which earned her another Emmy Award), “The Middle,” “Community,” “30 Rock,” “Ugly Betty,” “Ally McBeal” and “Suddenly Susan,” to name a few.  Some of White’s feature credits include “The Proposal,” “Lake Placid” and “Bringing Down the House.”  Earlier this year, the Screen Actor’s Guild honored her with the SAG Life Achievement Award.  White was also recently awarded the Charlie Chaplain Britannia Award for Excellence in Comedy from BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts).  She will also be inducted into the California Hall of Fame.  White is the author of six books, two of which she’s currently writing.
Jennifer Love Hewitt and Brent Shields (“When Love Is Not Enough: The Lois Wilson Story,” “The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler”) serve as executive producers of “The Lost Valentine;” Barbara Gangi (“I Think I’m Alone Now”) is producer.  It is produced by Andrew Gottlieb (“A Dog Named Christmas,” “Front of the Class”) and is from Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, Inc. and Paulist Productions.  Darnell Martin (“Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” “Her Eyes Were Watching God”) directed from a script by Maryann Ridini Spencer and Barton Taney.  It is based on the book by James Michael Pratt.

For more information, also visit: www.hhof.tv and http://www.cbspressexpress.com/div.php/cbs_entertainment/release?id=26934