Vampire Diaries: New Vamps on the Block

If you are the kid of a "True Blood" fan you will no doubt be interested in the new CW series "The Vampire Diaries. It is same niche, different age group. The TV series is based on the young adult book written by L. J. Smith. The CW is hoping that followers of Buffy, Angel, and Supernatural will be smitten and bitten by this series.

Additionally there are other vampire productions that compliment the new CW vampire series. The next installment of the "Twilight" series, "New Moon" is also slated for release in November of 2009 also shares the spotlight with its television counterpart. Both of these shows are geared to a PG-13 audience and a few other fang lovers. I have to admit that I have a real fascination with the whole vampire phenomena and I am not a young adult... my secret shame is out

The series premieres on September 10^th and your can check local listings to find air times on you local CW affiliate. But wait... there is more. The CW is rolling out a very interesting campaign to promote the series. CW is teaming up with the Red Cross to promote a national blood drive which will include more than 230 High Schools and Colleges across the country.

This information is verified by Stephanie Millian, director of biomedical communications from the Washington chapter of the Red Cross. Channel One - High School TV (owned by Alloy Inc.) will be releasing a series of public service announcements that will feature cast members appealing to young audiences, ages 16-22 years of age. This is rather ingenious since this age group represents about 25% of the national average of blood donors.

The blood drive will be promoted with posters and images of the cast members. The tongue in cheek slogan "Starve a vampire, donate blood" will be the caption. The CW is also offering their own creative campaign for the series which includes "FangFloss" to keep your pearly whites healthy, and "Sunscream 1000", and online games complete with prizes."Sunscream 1000" is sunscreen with VPF (vampire protection factor) of 1000 that provides protection from the sun because "sun damage is the No. 1 killer of the undead".

"Race Against Dawn" is also a new vamp online game which will be available on Mochi Media's website. Additionally there will also be a widget/application offered from the "Twilight" camp called "Vamp Yourself". That allows individuals to take a picture of themselves and vamp them out with a Photoshop tutorial. Then they can use the photo for their website.

Strategic programming places the "Vampire Diaries" at the end of the second season of "True Blood". The executive vice president for marketing Rick Haskins, at the CW doesn't feel that they are necessarily competing with the other high profile vampire offerings. "True Blood", and HBO production, is quite different in that it appeals to an older age group.

While vampires may become passé in time, they seem to appeal to a very specific demographic that is in a steady upswing. That being said, break out the popcorn and get ready for another Vamp series. Can't wait, and I mean that.