Today at 10:30 a.m., embattled Colorado Springs evangelist Ted Haggard will make what's said to be a big announcement regarding his career.
What's in store?
Judging by the background of Amy Prenner, head of the Prenner Group, a Los Angeles-based publicity firm handling PR for the event, it could have something to do with reality TV.
Check out Prenner's online bio for some intriguing clues:
The Prenner Group: Amy PrennerPrenner is publicity, sales and marketing dynamo who brings her insider knowledge of Hollywood and valuable network of contacts to her role as principal of her company, The Prenner Group. With her 15-year career working in the entertainment industry, Prenner has overseen some of the biggest and brightest stars in film and television. Personable and approachable, Prenner has developed an exclusive network of high-level media contacts, along with an extraordinary eye for strategy and an awareness of entertainment journalists.
A graduate of Boston University, Prenner developed a love of media and journalism during her time writing for student media and local free presses before making a move to Los Angeles and entering the entertainment business. A role as an agent's assistant led to publicity work in syndicated television for shows including "Extra," and "Hot Ticket" (a spin-off of "Entertainment Tonight"), and eventually a position as Head of Publicity for "Wheel of Fortune." Next, Prenner served as Head of Publicity for "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," where she spearheaded instrumental moments including "Ellen's Big Meltdown over her Dog," which raised awareness on pet adoption, the Writer's Strike, as well as the Presidential Candidates for the 2008 election. She has also directed the launch of the hit show "The Singing Bee," for NBC and TLC's "Big Medicine."
At The Prenner Group, some of the most influential entertainment websites including reelpreviews.com and ilive.com were launched at the new millennium and production companies including Gravity Entertainment, Mess Media Television, The Idea Factory, Stephen David Entertainment and Prometheus Entertainment. Prenner has worked to secure placements and awareness at major film festivals for a variety of clients with presence at the Television Critics Tour, Sundance, Cannes Film Festival and the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival; and has also produced creative Hollywood events at these venues along with the national charities Heal The Bay and Celebrity Catwalk. She has also served as a unit publicist on several independent feature films including "Auggie Rose," starring Anne Heche and "Speedway Junky," starring Darryl Hannah.
Prenner, who is bilingual, was instrumental in creating publicity campaigns for Prometheus Entertainment, the producers and creators of the E! hit reality series, "The Girls Next Door," "Kendra," and "Bridget's Sexiest Beaches." In the last several years alone, Prenner launched the series "Food Paradise I and II," for The Travel Channel, along with the specials "Indiana Jones & The Ultimate Quest," for The History Channel, the highly anticipated, "Batman Unmasked" and "Batman Tech," the acclaimed documentary "The Valkyrie Legacy: The Plot to Kill Hitler,' for History to accompany the Tom Cruise feature "Valkyrie," and the "Vegas Revolution" series for the Travel Channel. (Twenty new episodes of "The Girls Next Door" premiered in October 2008 and the series finished the fifth season in February 2009, with the highest rated episode of the show since its inception.)
2009 was a banner year for Prenner. In January 2009, Prenner launched "Ladies or Gentleman," a documentary about celebrity cross-dressing for Starz Network and began production for "Kendra" (a spin-off of "The Girls Next Door") co-star, Kendra Wilkinson, that aired to top-notch ratings and received a full-episode order. In March 2009, Prenner launched the History Channel special "Ancient Aliens," to top ratings, which resulted in a pilot order, as well as the Travel Channel series, "Bridget's Sexiest Beaches," hosted by "Girls Next Door," co-star Bridget Marquardt. In the summer of 2009, Prenner was instrumental in the launch of Season 6 of "Girls Next Door," where Hugh Hefner introduced the world to his next generation of girlfriends.
In addition to her work with Prometheus Entertainment, Prenner has remained active in feature film publicity, serving as unit publicist on "Big Money Rustlas," starring underground rap sensation Insane Clown Posse, along with personal publicity for reality star Paul Murad, a favorite on Bravo's "Millionaire Matchmaker," and the launch of U*tique Shop, the world's first fully automated luxury vending machine. She has also helped secure a variety of press for Cuba Gooding, Sr., who performed at the 2009 Chicago Inauragural Ball in honor of President Barack Obama. Additional work includes publicity activity for Casa Dorada Los Cabos Resort & Spa, where top-notch celebrities like Mena Suvari, Audrina Patridge and Jordin Sparks enjoy the sights and sounds of Mendano Beach and consider the resort their "home away from home."
Last but not least, Prenner has worked with ABC Family Cable Network where she oversaw unit publicity on the series "Make It or Break It," helping to bring the show top critical acclaim and superb ratings. She oversaw publicity for the upcoming Hillary Duff original film, "Beauty and The Briefcase," which premiered in April, 2010. In 2010, Prenner produced two successful high-profile charity events "Milk + Bookies," a child literacy event that helps promote literacy in young children and The Luxe Life Pink Carpet Luxury Lounge, with profits benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
When she is not promoting the projects and clients she believes in, Prenner can be seen at her home away from home: the tennis court.
To put it mildly, Prenner's credits are varied: Not many folks can go from Ellen DeGeneris to the Insane Clown Posse, a band in the news locally due to a double-stabbing that took place prior to its concert at the Fillmore Auditorium earlier this week. Moreover, her experience with The Girls Next Door suggests that she knows how to sell programming with a salacious subtext -- and any show based on Haggard, whose encounters with male escort Mike Jones led to his ouster from New Life Church, certainly qualifies on that score.
Regarding the focus of such a program, it could well involve Haggard's efforts to launch a new church, dubbed St. James. He's been teasing its launch over the past few weeks. But in a couple of hours, he may have something additional to promote.
Update, 11:25 a.m.: This Sunday, according to Channel 9, Haggard will host a launch party for his new church at his home. Attendees will be able to swim and jump on the Haggard family trampoline.
During the news conference, Haggard was asked about a reality TV show. He said a documentary of the sort previously shot by HBO was a possibility, but nothing had been firmed up. Still, the presence of Prenner, who was in Colorado Springs for the announcement, suggests that the concept is being actively floated -- hence, the show-bizzy press conference to provide information about what's essentially a house party.
