By Kevin McCauley
Grayling's Dutko Worldwide unit has picked up government relations and communications strategies duties for The Inspiration Network, which began its existence as the PTL Satellite Network founded by born-again Christians Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker.
Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker |
Following the Bakkers' exit in the 1990, San Diego-televangelist Morris Cerullo acquired the bankrupt cable TV network and ultimately rebranded the Indian Land, S.C.-operation as INSP.
According to its website, the network's mission is "using the medium of television to equip, empower and entertain." It is "compelled to bring a new voice to TV, one that celebrates the joys of father, family and the freedoms that are uniquely ours."
INSP runs a mix of religious programming ("In Search of the Lord's Way," "Always Good News with Billy Graham," "The Jewish Jesus with Rabbi Kirt Schneider" and family entertainment ("The Waltons," "Brady Bunch," "Happy Days" "Little House on the Prairie").
It reaches more than 70M households and targets more than 79M Baby Boomers, of which 35M self-identify themselves as "socially conservative."
Dutko's team includes Kim Bayliss (former staffer to the late Congressman Mike Synar and VP-government relations at United Video Satellite Group), Steve Perry (Dutko's ex-CEO) and David Murray (National Telecommunications & Information Administration veteran).
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