Tag Archives: Mary Kay Hoal

Rising TV Game Show Star Jeff Sutphen Brings His Unique Brand of Loony Fun to Yoursphere.com

13 Jul

Now hosting shows on two TV networks, Sutphen teams with kids-only social media site Yoursphere to advocate for online safety and connect with ‘tween & teen fans via his new “Jeff’s Madness” sphere

DAVIS, CA – July 13, 2011 – Currently starring in ABC’s new summer hit, “101 Ways to Leave a Game Show,” Jeff Sutphen today announced his partnership with the acclaimed kids-only social media destination Yoursphere. Sutphen is known in the broadcast industry for creating energetic, highly rated family-oriented programming and he selected Yoursphere.com as the ideal place to establish his first online social presence because of the site’s pioneering focus on age-appropriate content, online safety, and rich interactive features.

Jeff Sutphen regularly pops into his new sphere ‘Jeff’s Madness’ on Yoursphere.com to answer fans’ questions, share clips and tips about his game shows on ABC and Nickelodeon!

Through his new “Jeff’s Madness” sphere, Sutphen brings his customary zaniness in interacting personally with his young fans in an environment where member safety and privacy come first as a result of Yoursphere’s compliance with the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). From this personal platform he offers exclusive clips, photos, trivia, games, contests and more.

Sutphen is the latest celebrity to align himself with Yoursphere, which recently debuted similarly engaging spheres for Sony country music recording breakout 17-year-old Jordyn Shellhart as well as TV’s Animal Planet stars Victoria Stilwell (“It’s Me Or the Dog”) and Donald Schultz (“Wild Recon”).

“I have worked in kids’ TV for many years and have gone to great lengths to create fun, safe programming for my audience,” Sutphen said. “It’s refreshing to see Yoursphere.com doing the same, which is why I jumped at the opportunity to get on board. I am not part of Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, FaceSpace, Twitterbook, MyFace or any of the other social networking sites out there where I felt like my information and personal content was up for grabs. But being a part of Yoursphere makes sense to me. I just wish I had thought of it first!”

Yoursphere Founder and President Mary Kay Hoal said that Sutphen’s sphere is already abuzz with activity and excitement, especially around the topic of his latest program, “101 Ways to Leave a Game Show,” which airs 9 p.m. Tuesdays on ABC.

“We are excited to have Jeff’s fun-packed sphere as the latest in our lineup of celebrity spheres. Jeff is an absolute fire hose of creative energy and he is bringing this exuberance to his new sphere. The kids love the opportunity to ask him about his career, his hit shows, where he gets ideas, and how they can get on TV too,” Hoal said.

Sutphen is also the host of the hit game show “BrainSurge” and has been seen on MTV, E!, VH1, CBS and other channels as well as Nickelodeon’s Annual Kids’ Choice Awards where he has hosted the LIVE Pre-Show for the past nine years, interviewing the hottest A-list celebrities for what is known as the network’s flagship event.

Sutphen’s comedic timing and energetic hosting has helped make “BrainSurge” a ratings juggernaut, ranking as the most-watched kids program on all TV in its time period, delivering an average of two million total viewers per episode. He is currently developing shows with his wife, Stacy, under their newly formed production company, Part Time Hero Productions.

About YOURSPHERE.com

Yoursphere is the social network for kids and teens that offers the best of the Internet while providing a vibrant and interactive experience that supports the talents and aspirations of its members. Kids share interests through Yoursphere’s innovative “spheres,” interact with other kids, benefit from a scholarship program, can create their own blog, play hundreds of games and explore a virtual world. Member safety and privacy come first through the application of commonsense safeguards and compliance with the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Yoursphere teaches kids to be “Internet safety smart” and rewards responsible online citizenship. Free and exclusively for children and teens through age 17, Yoursphere is approved by the Privacy Vaults Online Safe Harbor of the Federal Trade Commission. Founder and President Mary Kay Hoal is a nationally recognized Internet safety expert who also provides safety-focused practical technology tools and tips for parents at YoursphereForParents.com. For more information, visit Yoursphere.com.

 

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NOTE TO EDITORS & PRODUCERS: Jeff Sutphen and Mary Kay Hoal are available for interviews. Contact Jackie Flaten, 650-468-6252, Jackie@MediaOwls.com to arrange, or for more information / images.

Social networking site Yoursphere lets kids be kids

18 Oct

Do you have kids in your home clamoring to be on Facebook? Is it a good idea?

Kids are, in general, pretty savvy about the internet. They want to be online connecting with their friends, they see their adult role models glued helplessly to the site, they can figure out how to navigate the virtual world in a flash…. Trying to shield them from this alternate plane is not an option and besides, there are benefits to being able to navigate the web’s offerings.

The problem is, for one thing, Facebook is supposedly for 13 years of age and older. We’ve all seen younger kids on there who’ve fibbed about their age to open up a FB account, apparently with parental okay. But even if you’re 13, remember that Facebook was originally created for college age adults, contrives the loosest possible standards for privacy, and has never pretended to be suitable for kids. Its goal is to make money – and that’s by doing whatever they can to squeeze info out of people and appeal to advertisers.

And then there is the abundance of unsavory stuff on the site, along with the assorted weirdos and meanies.

What’s the alternative?

Check out Yoursphere.com – it’s a full-featured social networking site specially designed for and by kids and teens. Not only is Yoursphere packed with activity kids like, it’s specifically for young people up to age 18 (no adults allowed). The site fully complies with federal privacy laws for youth, and it is the only community that gives out terrific rewards just for being an active participant along with opportunities to win scholarship money, support favorite charities and much more.

We’ve just started working with the talented team at Yoursphere, and the more we learn the more we appreciate what this company is offering. Led by nationally known children’s online safety expert Mary Kay Hoal, Yoursphere has created a site that parents and kids can feel good about joining (I say this with personal experience).

We’ll post more about Yoursphere in the days to come — in fact a nine-year-old little lady who lives with us is also an enthusiastic advocate who wants to write about why kids should join Yoursphere.

One example of a creative outlet for her: this past year she discovered a “really, really old” series of books that none of her friends had heard about nor could she get them interested. (Animorphs, from the dusty olden days of the 1980s.) On Yoursphere, she was able to create her own “Sphere” specially dedicated to Animorph obsession, which has drawn other Animorphees, and has been a big thrill for her.

I’m totally paraphrasing here but Yoursphere founder Mary Kay said something along these lines which really stuck with me: ”When your kid wants to learn how to ride a bike, you don’t just shove them onto the freeway and shout encouragingly, ‘Figure it out but be careful!’ No, you help them learn the ropes, maybe bolt a couple training wheels onto their little bike, make sure they’re in a safe area where they can practice and explore without getting run down by an 18-wheeler.” Think of the wild woolly world of adult social networking. Maybe a little more age-appropriate, safe and fun platform is a good first step instead.

The following comes from Yoursphere’s FAQ page. If you have young people in your life who want to play in the social networking realm, this is a terrific site for them to learn the ropes, safely and while having fun. -jdf

From Yoursphere.com:

Why should I join Yoursphere?

For lots of good reasons:

  • The most dynamic online home for you and your friends to connect, play, and share videos and photos
  • Spheres full of people interested in the stuff you care about
  • A private virtual world where you can create your own avatar, roller blade, go to the beach, fly, and more
  • Amazing gifts you get for free
  • Opportunities to earn a scholarship, mentorship, or once in a lifetime experience
  • Hundreds of FREE games
  • Kid and teen-only community (that means no one over 18; no predators, sex offenders, or anonymous users)
  • Weekly contests with great prizes
  • Regular donations to youth philanthropies that help children and families, or to schools that need extra support
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