CBC stars help entrepreneurs across the country in six new episodes of THE BIG DECISION premiering Tuesday, October 16 at 9 p.m. on CBC-TV
On the heels of its successful debut season, entrepreneurial icons Jim Treliving and Arlene Dickinson return to rescue floundering businesses across Canada in all-new episodes of THE BIG DECISION beginning Tuesday, October 16 at 9 p.m. on CBC-TV.
Faced with a volatile economy, mounting competition and strapped for cash, each one-hour episode features two Canadian businesses desperate for a lifeline. Jim Treliving and Arlene Dickinson could be their last hope. Grueling deadlines, pressure cooker challenges and family clashes come to a head as business owners try to prove that they have what it takes to turn things around. In the end, Jim and Arlene must decide whether they’ll invest in one, both or neither of the companies vying for their cash. On the Big Decision, the stakes are high. No hand-outs. No charity.
When you’re somebody’s last hope, it’s never just business.
Best-known as the chairman and owner of Boston Pizza, Jim Treliving is one of Canada’s most respected businessmen. The Franchise giant’s billion dollar empire includes investments in real estate, sports and Canadian oil change retailer Mr. Lube. Jim is also a Dragon on Canada’s favourite unscripted program CBC’s DRAGONS’ DEN. Jim speaks candidly about his new book and business success on GEORGE STROUMBOULOPOULOS TONIGHT airing October 16 at 7 p.m. ET (7:30 NT).
One of Canada’s most-renowned marketing communications entrepreneurs, Arlene Dickinson, is CEO and owner of Venture Communications. She continues to be known as one of the country’s most powerful business leaders. Arlene is also a Dragon on Canada’s favourite unscripted program CBC’s DRAGONS’ DEN.
This Season on THE BIG DECISION:
Tuesday, October 16 at 9 p.m. ET (9:30 NT)
In the season premiere, Jim visits a family-owned business in Mississauga, ON selling a unique brand of concrete, being buried by a mountain of demand and unfilled orders. Later, in Belle River, ON Jim stops by a family-owned and operated building store suffering from the recession and its undesirable location.
Tuesday, October 23 at 9 p.m. ET (9:30 NT)
Arlene heads to St-Laurent, QC to meet a family-owned corrugated box and display manufacturer struggling to compete with increasing competition. Meanwhile, a formerly successful whitewater rafting business in Ottawa, ON struggles to get back on its feet after a series of unfortunate events.
Tuesday, November 6 at 9 p.m. ET (9:30 NT)
A ravaged business, specializing in custom solutions for advanced technologies of “The Big Three” automakers, based in Belle River, ON looks to Jim for help as it transitions to a product-driven business for global manufacturers. Later, he visits St. Thomas, ON where a piglet-birthing centre and nursery needs funds to rebuild after a devastating fire.
Tuesday, November 13 at 9 p.m. ET (9:30 NT)
An “100% Canadian made” clothing manufacturer in Scarborough, ON wants Arlene’s marketing advice to help overcome the influx of stiff competition. Meanwhile across the country in Victoria, BC, a footwear company attempts to get a grip on their evolving product line.
Tuesday, November 20 at 9 p.m. ET (9:30 NT)
A chartered seaplane business in Prince Rupert, BC, hopes Jim will invest and buy out its sole competitor, in hopes of taking control of its niche market. Plus, Jim checks in on an Edmonton-based sporting retailer, who has been in over his head since taking over the business five years ago.
Tuesday, November 27 at 9 p.m. ET (9:30 NT) Arlene travels to Vancouver, BC to stop by a restaurant/butcher that embodies salvation for many residents, but is challenged by its ineffective internal infrastructure and buried in debt. While in town, Arlene visits a retail and custom flag manufacturer that went downhill after its original owner left. Now she’s returned and wants to once again make the company successful, not just in Canada, but across North America.
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For more information including series synopses, biographies and high-resolution images, please visit the CBC Media Centre at https://mediacentre.cbc.ca.
About CBC/Radio-Canada
CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. The Corporation is a leader in reaching Canadians on new platforms and delivers a comprehensive range of radio, television, Internet, and satellite-based services. Deeply rooted in the regions, CBC/Radio-Canada is the only domestic broadcaster to offer diverse regional and cultural perspectives in English, French and eight Aboriginal languages, plus five languages for international audiences. In 2011, CBC/Radio-Canada celebrated 75 years of serving Canadians and being at the centre of the democratic, social and cultural life of Canada.
For more information, please contact:
Cathleen Saville, Publicist, CBC
Cathleen.Saville@cbc.ca 416.205.7976 (Office)/416.986.9355 (Mobile)
