The Growing Bolder Media Group received the prestigious Senior Vison Media Award for 2008, presented by the Florida Council on Aging. In just it’s first year online, GrowingBolder.com has presented a vision of the 50+ population unseen anywhere else.
In less than a year, GrowingBolder.com has taken the lead in smashing the stereotypes of aging. They do it by documenting the new reality: a vibrant, active and dynamic segment of the population. It’s an important message because it is paving the way for a brand new future for all of us who follow.
Log on to GrowingBolder.com and you will find over 200 video stories and 600 audio interviews with people overcoming odds, reinventing themselves, facing challenges, changing careers, living their dreams and proving it’s never too late. Each story is professionally created, sure to touch an emotion, and strike a chord of relevance in anyone’s life.
GrowingBolder.com is comprised of former TV news journalists who believe in the value of storytelling. “This change in how we age, this age revolution, is the most important story of our lifetime,” said President and CEO Marc Middleton. He saw it coming years ago and was dismayed that the traditional media was not responsive.
The long-time central Florida news broadcaster said it’s a story he couldn’t resist. “It’s the kind of story journalists should be salivating over,” said Middleton. “This age wave is coming towards us like a silver tsunami. I was immediately intrigued and created the Growing Bolder concept.”
He had no problem recruiting an all-star staff of TV news veterans to join him in his venture.
With little money, little business experience and a whole lot of passion, Marc and his staff began writing newspaper columns, started a radio show and began doing what they do best, creating professional video stories on everything from a 93 year old barefoot water-skier to a 50 year old battling breast cancer.
“Growing Bolder is for anyone over the age of 50, or anyone who plans to one day be over 50,” said vice president Bill Shafer. “It shows the second half of your life doesn’t have to be a downhill slide. That’s a powerful message for anyone to hear.” And when you can see it, in video form the message becomes downright life changing.
The multi media format isn’t the only innovation at Growing Bolder. It is also a full-scale social networking site. Think of it as a myspace for adults. But where myspace is all about individuals, Growing Bolder members come to both gain and give inspiration under the Growing Bolder philosophy. Social networking with a purpose. Imagine that!
Still, Growing Bolder faces an uphill battle. Advertisers seem to be the last to grasp the economic power of the 50+ demographic. Middleton seems undaunted, “Just a few years ago I had to convince people the age wave was coming. Now, everyone acknowledges that it’s here. It’s only a matter of time until everyone realizes the strength, power and wealth of this demographic. And there’s no better way to reach them than by Growing Bolder!”
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