Janson Media in Distribution Deal for "Simple Living"

Janson Media announced today that it has entered into a distribution agreement with Simple Living, LLC, of Mount Airy, North Carolina to release its successful 'simplicity movement' series, Simple Living With Wanda Urbanska (39 x 30') to worldwide television, DVD, VOD, and New Media markets. The series, which originally debuted on public television in 2004, inspires viewers to replace time-starved, possession-cluttered, high carbon-footprint lives with a more meaningful approach. The show, hosted by the elegant, empathetic and congenial Wanda Urbanska, focuses on four interlinked themes -- environmental stewardship, thoughtful consumption, community involvement and financial responsibility. Each episode makes the case that change is not only possible but inevitable; it urges viewers to adopt the mindset that 'nothing's too small to make a difference.' 'The Simple Living organization is delighted to be working with Janson Media on the international distribution and DVD sales of our series. The uplifting, family-friendly values at Janson definitely resonate with the positive, community-oriented, earth-friendly messaging of Simple Living. We look forward to a long, working relationship,' said Wanda Urbanska. After completing its fourth successful season in April 2008, Simple Living offers a catalog of 39 half-hour programs with such notable guests as former President Jimmy Carter; California First Lady Maria Shriver; climate change activist Bill McKibben; actor and environmentalist Ed Begley Jr.; and small home advocate Sarah Susanka. Simple Living features non-celebrity guests as well and such diverse themes as tracing one"s roots; learning a foreign language; the link between art and simplicity; and ways to reduce one"s personal waste stream. Financial topics such as frugality, bartering and breaking the dependence on credit cards are covered. 'We think the timing is better than ever before for a relaunching of the Simple Livingbrand,' said Stephen Janson of Janson Media. 'The series is a handbook for how to live a sustainable existence, and in our new 'post-financial crisis' world, we will all need to relearn how to live simply.' Established in 1989, Janson Media is an independent content distribution company based in the United States, with a rights portfolio of over 1,500 hours of exclusive programming available for licensing to worldwide television, VOD, DVD/video, and emerging new media platforms. The company has licensed programming to virtually every country in the world, and its clients include nearly every major broadcaster or media company, as well as a wide range of DVD labels and distributors. Janson Media is also a publisher/ manufacturer of award-winning DVDs. The Simple Living project was established in April 2000. Based in Mount Airy, NC, the project was initially funded through a combination grassroots effort of individual contributions and the support of 20 area foundations. The first run of the series, consisting of eight half-hour programs, began broadcast on PBS stations nationally in July 2004, reaching 84% of US TV households — an outstanding number for a newly launched series. The series is produced by the Simple Living Company in partnership with American Public Television (APT) and University of North Carolina Public Television (UNCTV). Wanda Urbanska is a nationally recognized simplicity advocate, speaker and author or co-author of several books, including Simple Living (1992) and Nothing"s Too Small to Make a Difference (2004).