Spike TV's True Dads: Because Real Men are True Dads

What the heck is True Dads? If you listen to the media, a Soccer Mom is a multi-tasking superwoman who is one minivan trip away from sainthood. And a Soccer Dad? He's some loud mouth brute that cold cocked a ref at the peewee playoffs. Guys know this isn't the case; fathers today are out there at the game and the recital, in the sand box and the doctor's office, over the changing table and the kitchen sink, supporting their kids whenever, wherever they can. They are blazing a trail with few role models and little support. But now, Spike TV's True Dads is there with them, backing them up with an unprecedented initiative to encourage responsible fathering.

The program is simple: celebrate real dads who are stepping up to the plate each day and support those guys who might need a little help with their swing. Or their swing set. With a few easy-to-use, accessible resources, dads can grow to be the best fathers they can be and have a blast doing it.

Give Me the Stats. 71% of dads agree with the statement: "I feel I have to figure out on my own how to be a good dad today"

Why Spike? As the go-to network for men, Spike is where actions speak louder than words. And taking action is what True Dads is all about. With no guilt-tripping do's and don'ts or chat-show sob stories in sight, guys can trust Spike to cut to the chase and give them practical ways to spend more time with their kids and swap tales from the trenches.

Add to the mix that Spike has the multi-platform resources to get the message out and do the job right. On-air, online, wireless, and grassroots channels are all being marshaled into service for the True Dads initiative. And just look at the history: from MTV's Rock the Vote to VH1's Save the Music, the MTV Networks have a powerful track record of connecting to their diverse audiences and changing lives through meaningful pro-social campaigns. Now True Dads is building on that strong foundation and ready to make a real difference in our families and our future.

Give Me the Stats. 71% of today's dads feel that society does not appreciate the importance of fathers.

So, go on, prove it. Sure, we could show you the impressive study of fatherhood we commissioned or the research behind our five-point plan for dads (play, talk, teach, express affection, and support emotionally), but, like we said, True Dads is all about taking action. So here's what we've been out there doing since launching in 2006:

• Website: The centerpiece of the initiative is our enhanced digital media site, spiketruedads.com, with all the links to local events, practical advice, and useful organizations that today's web-surfing dad could need. Best of all, it's also got a forum where dads can share their fatherhood "war stories" with each other.
• PSAs: We hit the national airwaves with a series of TV spots that thank dads for their hard work while sending a simple "Take Action" message.
• Strategic Partnerships: True Dads know they can't do it alone and so do we. We joined up with advertising partners, third party web support (GoCityKids.com and Parentsconnect.com), as well as not-for-profits (The National Fatherhood Initiative and The Family Violence Protection Fund) to reach wider and go deeper with our message. And it doesn't hurt to have celebrities like the Rock, Jonathan Davis from Korn, and Jerry Seinfeld on our side as well.
• Father's Day 2007: Spike teamed up with the New York City Department of Social Services for a celebratory picnic at Cyclone's Ballpark on Coney Island. Bringing together fathers of all socio-economic backgrounds, this event proved that every dad can be a True Dad.
• "Catch On": Enough talking, let's play ball! Our first big summer promotion encouraged dads to go out and have a catch--baseball, football, Frisbee--with their son or daughter, then post photos on the website. We brought on board New York Yankee legend Don Mattingly for a series of PSA's and enlisted minor league baseball clubs around the country to host evenings that invited families to catch a game and come out onto the field to play catch. Toss in a national sweepstakes for season tickets to your favorite local team and we had an event that covered all the bases.

Give Me the Stats: 88% of today's dads feel emotionally connected to their children; the same was true of only 35% of their fathers.

Now What? We're just getting started here. The next year promises even more "no-b.s." ways to engage dads with their kids, including:

• "Take Your Kids to School": In September 2007, it's back to school time for everyone, including dads, so dust off that wicked super hero lunch box. We're calling all True Dads to take a morning to share the walk to school or stop by and meet a favorite teacher, then blog about the experience on our website. You might not get an A+, but you'll learn a lot about your kids (and maybe win a prize.)
• "New Year's Resolution: Be a True Dad": So you didn't see that gym again after MLK day and you're now smoking and addicted to nicotine gum; we've got a resolution you can keep. True Dads will commit to scheduling regular dates with their child and making memories that will last a lifetime.
• "Catch On 2008": Following this year's successful season, we plan to expand our efforts to more areas of the country and knock it out of the ballpark by including a Major League Soccer "kick off" component.

So Now it's Your Turn
Join Spike TV's True Dads as they Take Action in their Children's Lives