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Read the PBS FAQ you posted.  Wow, if that doesn't wake up people about Vision Media, nothing will.    Thanks for that reference.

I hope we hear from Mr. Lee Levenson Esq, again.  His polemics are nothing short of breathtaking.  I'm sure the threatened law suit against 800notes for allowing others to post opinions re Vision Media (his reputable client)  will be filled almost entirely with similar bombast.    And by the way, why does the PBS website explicitly go out of its way to publicly disavow any relationship with VM  if they're so reputable? Please enlighten us, Mr. Levenson.

I guess it must be PBS' life ambition also right?

http://www.pbs.org/aboutpbs/aboutpbs_faqanswers.html

Q. Does PBS have any affiliation with programs produced by Vision Media Television (or VM Television)?
Q. I've been contacted by a TV producer who claims that he will feature my company in a national public television program in exchange for a fee. Is PBS aware of this?
A. A number of businesses have contacted PBS to ask us about our relationship with the producers of various television programs carrying titles such as Giving Back, Learning About, and The National Report Series. According to representatives of these businesses, the producers have offered to feature the representatives' businesses in a television program and indicated that the program will be made available on national public television. Based upon representations made to them by the producers, the businesses were led to believe that the producers were associated with PBS and that PBS intended to distribute or otherwise endorsed their programming.


PBS wishes to clarify that it is not associated with and does not endorse, distribute programming for, review underwriting for or otherwise have any business relationship with the following production companies: VM Television, Vision Media Television, Paradigm Media Group, PMG, PMGTV, Infinity Media Group, Roadshow Productions, Family Television Studios, United Media Communications Group, American Review TV, Business Break TV, Event Media TV, or Global Television Studios. PBS does not oversee the production or distribution of any programs associated with any of these companies.

If you are solicited by a production company that claims or implies an association with PBS, please notify PBS.

Lee and the rest of Vision Media damage control,

It is very simple.  Produce (since you are producers?!) for me a list of ANY of your programs BEFORE they air.  PAST affidavits do not count.    Consider this; if Vision Media represents these numerous iterations of your company (National Health Report, Eco, etc., etc.) and EACH has successful clients producing possibly between 20-30 new 'programs' every month who EACH are promised 40(!), 2 minute spots on CNN, CNBC, Lifetime, ETC., then WHY HAVE I NEVER SEEN EVEN ONE OF YOUR PROGRAMS??  Being a physician I watch PBS and health related programs daily for decades.  Never saw one.  I must keep missing them!! So please POST HERE in ADVANCE the dates and times... or at least the 4 hour prime time window so that you don't claim I am 'locking you down'.  Look Lee, how can you and your client ON ONE HAND guarantee that the program will air on commercial stations (not even bringing up Public TV in this) while at the SAME TIME claim that you have no idea when the show will air because you only DISTRIBUTE the program.  Who is accountable if it does NOT show, as 'advertised', 40 times during the Glen Beck Program within 1 month?
BTW, I asked the above from one of your agents and he retorted that he would send me such an advanced list IF I SIGNED THE CONTRACT AND SENT IT TO HIM FIRST!!!!  And yes I have this entire conversation on tape.

Got a call from these clowns the other day.

Their new angle is "HEROES OF HOPE"

I hope no one falls for this scam -- or actually pays these people.

Almost forgot:

The "Producer's" name was Janette Morrison.

Her name should be on here as well.

I got a call from Alex Berry of Business Trends telling me that they wanted to do a segment on my company.  Of course I needed to pay approx $25,000 for production.  He made it seem like it was a sure thing as my company had to get selected from 60 other companies.  Big surprise, I got selected!

I've worked for television stations in top-ten U.S. markets for 30 years and have consistently heard these complaints about production companies soliciting "production expenses" upfront.  It definitely isn't how an actual network or a licensed station does business.  But there are many companies operating in the syndication market, and they're of course free to operate on any business model that works for them.  
Is it worth it, for the targeted subject getting these solicitations?  I wouldn't presume to say.  But like any other investment, you have to ask yourself if you can afford to get nothing in return if it doesn't unfold as promised.
And look out -- the threat to sue can be real.  
http://consumerist.com/5041813/so+called-pbs- ... -for-20-million

More info to be aware of. Received a call from Linda GIBBS of "Business Trends" on my voice mail wanted me to call back at 754-367-1196. Same story as all the rest here. Message told me to go look at businesstrendstv.com. Took a look and it is an obvious shell site serving only one purpose - to send the URL to potential victims to get them to think the company is legitimate.
Funny thing is, the call came from 954-427-1802 and the caller ID said Ken Galligan. Just for fun, I googled Linda GALLIGAN and her name was associated with the company VT Media, which led me to vtmedia.tv Interesting that vtmedia.tv and businesstrendstv.com are the EXACT same site, but with a different business name as the title. Obviously these scammers have to keep changing their business name and last name to cover their wicked trails.

well- what happened?

If you ever get a call from a TV production company from the 561 or 954 area codes, immediately be skeptical.

In my previous marketing position with a highly visible fitness equipment company, these guys called at least every quarter for seven years.  Looking for "experts" and companies with a story that they might consider for the show.  Just got my first call from them at my new company.

What it takes to get on these shows -- which no one watches -- is a $25K - $30K payment to "cover production costs."  They also prey on CEO's, getting them all fired up and forcing the PR and marketing folks to participate.  It's just an outbound call center with telemarketers posing as producers, with an end result that you pay big for little play.

My company actually used these guys and had a very positive experience. I did not find that they lied about anything, and we thought the production quality was excellent. Certainly there are lots of scammers out there, but these guys are legit. We also spoke with ad agencies, and duplicating the exposure would have cost a fortune.

Left a message on our business voice mail after hours. Was told they wanted to bring me on the Oxygen channel to talk about "fake skin care." Was told that Hugh Downs would be interviewing me. The director was Christian Rothschild. Was told to call back Karen Watts at 561-860-0562, his secretary.

Before I googled the number and found this, I did call back and it went right to voicemail twice.

Glad I found this...

VT Media contacted our organziation and a past staff person paid 26K for the service.  After 15 months we still do not have a quality product and cannot get information from VT Media.

If you want a video, contact a local provider and you can cut the cost and headache.

I GUARANTEE you that this is absolutely 150% A SCAM, roping you into a $25,000 fee for 'production' expenses which costs them a mere fraction of that - this is where they make their money. Take it from me (someone who's been on the inside of this company & been privy to their unethical practices), I don't think there's an honest soul among them...  and they will say anything to get you to sign on that dotted line committing you to that $25,000 fee they want to hurry and collect from you (they get paid their commission upon first receipt of funds from you).

So i'm curious now that time has passed... how was your experience in total with them? Do you consider them upright and honest or scammers like everyone said?

Interesting – I never heard of Vision Media until I came to this site and saw the link “Vision Media sues 800notes”.  Now I’m prepared for their call.  This suit is nothing more than negative press for Vision Media.  Not very smart of them.

This is their new website.

http://www.vision-media.tv/

Everything I've heard of this company is scandalous.

IF THIS MANY PEOPLE THINK YOU'RE SCUM THEY CANT ALL BE WRONG. THREATS DON'T WORK EITHER, IT JUST EMBOLDENS HONEST HARDWORKING PEOPLE!

SOUNDS LIKE SOMEONE FROM THE INSIDE?????