Photo by: Jay Nolan
Photo caption: Kevin Harrington, in his Clearwater office, is known as 'King of the Infomercial' and has written a book titled "Act Now!".
By GAYLE GUYARDO | News Channel 8
Published: July 10, 2009
Tampa Bay venture capitalist and entrepreneur Kevin Harrington is sinking his teeth into the new ABC series "Shark Tank" debuting in early August.
Harrington is the president and CEO of TVGoods.com and co-founder of OmniReliant Holdings based in Clearwater. This year marks the 25th anniversary since Harrington produced the industry's first infomercial. With hits like the Flowbee and the Ginsu Knife, Harrington is a pioneer in what's become a multi billion dollar industry.
As one of the "sharks," Harrington says he's ready to make deals with inventors, business people and entrepreneurs with cameras rolling. "We have a pile of money right there on the desk -- and I will ink a deal on the spot," he said.
Shark Tank leaves contestants with the nail biting, take-it-or-leave-it decision of whether to accept whatever offer a shark might put on the table.
"The set cost a half million dollars and is amazing," Harrington said. Harrington described how contestants come up an elevator and walk through a tube like tunnel with animated sharks swimming all around.
Harrington who has spent his career behind the camera says big lights and 16 HD cameras pointed his direction doesn't throw him off course. "I'm so busy listening to the deals, my mind is spinning and I'm trying to compete with the other sharks on the panel to get the best deal." Harrington said.
Harrington smells blood when it comes to hot products. "I've hit milestones of over 500 product launches, resulting in sales of over $4 billion worldwide, and $100 million in individual sales," Harrington explained. "And, that adds up to the creation of dozens of millionaires," he said.
Harrington's company has been chronicled with a case study at Harvard/MIT, where students have been taught for more than 12 years what it means to be grassroots entrepreneurs in a fiercely competitive industry.
Harrington is also the founder of global networking association "the entrepreneur's organization".
LINK TO THE ARTICLE:
Clearwater capitalist ready to deal on new ABC show
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