Faith

Bible Company CEO Sets Out on $4.5 Million Mission to Bring His Message to the 2013 Super Bowl

Jim Fitzgerald Attempts to Get a WatchWord Bible Super Bowl CommercialJim Fitzgerald’s dream of craftily digitizing the Holy Bible for mass digital consumption has been realized. For nearly a decade, Fitzgerald, 65, worked to create a video-book version of the New Testament, complete with narration, music and gorgeous scenes that were shot both in Israel and Rome and more.

It was in 1994 that the visionary first launched his company, The WatchWord Bible, in Ambridge, Pennsylvania. While his critics initially said that his dreams were impossible, Fitzgerald has defied all of the odds. Already, 500,000 copies of the digitized New Testament have been sold through Christian vendors and a special infomercial that aired between 2004 and 2006 on the Christian Broadcasting Network.

And now, to further adapt to the visual age, Fitzgerald’s company has made the unique Bible available on the iPhone and iPad for only $12.99. This, his supporters maintain, is an effort that helps further spread the gospel to a younger generation.

Jim Fitzgerald Attempts to Get a WatchWord Bible Super Bowl Commercial

Jim Fitzgerald (Image Credit: Michael Henninger/Post-Gazette)

“I was told it would be impossible to do it,” Fitzgerald said in an interview with The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “They said even if we did it, people would never want to read the Bible on TV and we would never be able to raise enough money to produce and promote it.”

Now that he’s made his original goal to spread the Christian gospels a reality, Fitzgerald is prepared for his biggest challenge yet — raising enough money ($4.5 million to be exact) to pay for a 30-second commercial to advertise the WatchWord Bible during next year’s Super Bowl. The popular American athletics event is known for having crafty and entertaining commercials that people pay attention to. Fitzgerald is hoping that his company’s can be among them.

Jim Fitzgerald Attempts to Get a WatchWord Bible Super Bowl Commercial“The Super Bowl is the one time you can speak to most of the American audience gathered in one place,” the business owner told The Gazette. “Our goal is to get 300 sponsors at $15,000 each to reach our goal of $4.5 million to produce and air the Super Bowl commercial.

Even if Fitzgerald raises the money, there‘s a chance he won’t be able to convince the network and the NFL — two necessary parties — to allow the ad to air. Still, he’s determined. The Gazette has more:

Dick Roberts, president of Downtown-based Roberts Communications, the marketing firm for WatchWord productions, said he has been communicating with NFL officials concerning the commercial. He said both the network and the NFL will have to approve the ad.

Mr. Roberts said WatchWord will have to submit a storyboard and a description of the content of the commercial by the fall for the 2013 Super Bowl. The completed commercial needs to be submitted three weeks before the event. Although NFL officials did not discuss a deadline for the payment, the fee will be between $3.5 million and $4 million and must be paid in advance.

Former Pittsburgh Steelers player Justin Hartwig is one of 24 sponsors Mr. Fitzgerald has recruited so far.

“I was impressed by the amount of time and passion he has put into this,” Mr. Hartwig said. “I really believe in Jim. He really sold himself. He had this vision. He prayed about it and he knew God wanted him to do this.

You can read more about the struggles that Fitzgerald and his wife have faced as they’ve continued to create and market this unique product here.

(H/T: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Comments (42)

  • Ralpie
    Posted on May 27, 2012 at 11:27am

    I hope this commercial is to spread the vicious truth about the Bible. For far too long priests and preachers have completely ignored the vicious criminal acts that the Bible promotes. The so called “God” of the Bible makes Osama Bin Laden look like a Boy Scout. This God, according to the Bible, is directly responsible for many mass-murders, rapes, pillage, plunder, slavery, child abuse and killing, not to mention the killing of unborn children.

    God of the Bible also allows slavery, including selling your own daughter as a sex slave (Exodus 21:1-11), child abuse (Judges 11:29-40 and Isaiah 13:16), and bashing babies against rocks (Hosea 13:16 & Psalms 137:9).

    The Bible should be shown as the fiction it is…why have the mass killing of all the first born males that your God loves to do…better yet..the killing of all life in a mystical flood because your God was too stupid to figure out he created man and his evil…but he knows all..so kill them all even if I, God will know of this evil that I started.

    How about having Moses and the plagues of Egypt…there is cute story…and it has the killing of the first born also..Show what a loving God you worship…

    Maye the commercial should show Jesus doing some cheesy magic tricks like turning water into wine…or maybe Jesus should just stick to card tricks…

    What a great idea…show the Bible for the book of hate it really is…we need more atheists in this country!

    Report Post » Ralpie  
  • Chi-Fawn
    Posted on May 27, 2012 at 9:11am

    Is having a commercial for the Bible on a secular TV station cool or what? The ad being on the Superbowl first will not only get more people knowing about the roduct but lots of commercials that is on that show get picked up to run in other programs as well. Nobody should be bothered by the Watchword Bible, since it‘s a video with the text from the book it’ll make everything much more accesible and truthful in a whole new way. People who might think the Bible is worthless in today’s world would probably even like it this new way. Jim is truly doing God’s work.

    Report Post »  
  • Bronco II
    Posted on May 27, 2012 at 8:35am

    I pray it is GODS WORD and not like so many bibles that have been reinterpreted by man and if it is truely GODS WORD GOD WILL MAKE IT HAPPEN IF NOT IT WON’T to many are being mislead by people who just throw out bible verses like the Bummer which are not in my bible and they never give the references for people to do their own fact checking from GODS WORD. I stick with the original King James and the Companion Bible I like the Thee and Thous and Ye not hard to understand if you have half a brain and read the whole chapter to know the WHO,WHAT,WHEN,WHERE,WHY.It’s that simple.

    Report Post » Bronco II  
  • k8ti
    Posted on May 26, 2012 at 2:52pm

    He could get even more money for the add (to allow it to run longer) if he set up an account of some type so regular people could donate money for it. I would DEFINITELY donate money to get this add played at Superbowl!!! I know a TON of other people that would too! This is an awesome idea, I hope God continues to bless this man! Let‘s get God’s word out there for the whole world to hear! :)

    “Three things will last forever–faith, hope, and love–and the greatest of these is love.” – 1 Corinthians 13:13
    “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
    ” And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God.” – Micah 6:8
    “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16

    Report Post »  
    • Jim Fitzgerald
      Posted on May 27, 2012 at 5:00pm

      It is possible for people to send smaller amounts. Anyone who wants to help with the commercial for the 2013 Super Bowl may make donations of any amount to Watchword Worldwide which is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit. The address can be found at http://www.WatchwordBible.com. When we receive enough smaller donations, they are bundled together to provide for one more full sponsorship. The goal is enlisting a small “Gideon’s army” of 300 sponsorships total. Lord willing, the commercial is successful, a significant portion of the proceeds will help Watchword Worldwide with its mission to produce other world language versions, beyond Arabic and Japanese produced so far. Thank you!

      Report Post »  
  • mindovermuscle
    Posted on May 26, 2012 at 2:16pm

    Biblos.com has many bible translations and in many different languages. It also has many different commentaries. You can also look up passages by chapter and verse. And more.

    Report Post » mindovermuscle  
  • blair152
    Posted on May 26, 2012 at 1:20pm

    2013 could be a reference to a Bible verse. 20:13. Chapter 20, verse 13, of whatever book of the Bible you’re reading. I hope so.

    Report Post »  
  • Glenn in Virginia
    Posted on May 26, 2012 at 1:04pm

    Like many of the classic books, including Shakespeare, you can actually read it online or search for whatever Bible passage, plays of Shakespeare, or selective quotes from either through Google or any other good search engine.

    Report Post »  
  • Aloha Kaleiohi
    Posted on May 26, 2012 at 8:13am

    Fitzgerald has already proved he is diligent and faithful ….his motive is most certainly spreading the gospel to the utter most parts of the world….

    Report Post »  
  • dontbotherme
    Posted on May 25, 2012 at 1:49pm

    God’s command with the “Great Commission” is being realized. God bless this man and his endeavors.

    Report Post »  
  • danmezack
    Posted on May 25, 2012 at 1:47pm

    It’s such a blessing to have this new tool to spread the word of God in this geat country still holding on to our christian values. I would love to help Mr. Fitzgerald with a proyect the Lord reveled to me as need to be done also,and is to create a translation of this boof in “spanish”,for the billions of spanish speaking who love the Lord Jesus, and need also a great instrument in spreading the word such as this product. God bless. My email:danmezack@yahoo.com

    Report Post »  
  • DarthMims
    Posted on May 25, 2012 at 12:32pm

    Why would anybody think this thing wouldn’t make money. The Bible is the number 1 selling book in the world, and has been for years. I hope he gets his commercial.

    Report Post » DarthMims  
  • Spaceman61
    Posted on May 25, 2012 at 11:51am

    If they raise the money, and the ‘network and the NFL’ refuse the ad – I will not watch. The SuperBowl is currently the only sporting event I still look forward to, but if they show an anti-Christian bias, I am done with that, too.

    Report Post »  
  • Amos37
    Posted on May 25, 2012 at 10:41am

    Why doesn’t he just pay for it?

    Report Post »  
    • Jim Fitzgerald
      Posted on May 25, 2012 at 1:12pm

      The sponsorship campaign is a way of raising the necessary resources. It may not be their primary motive, but up to 300 sponsors are being featured in an interactive sponsor grid on our website at http://www.WatchwordVideoBible.com that will promote them with a link if they desire. The benefit is they could see a relatively large response from curious Super Bowl visitors for the size of their sponsorship.

      Report Post »  
  • jlperry84
    Posted on May 25, 2012 at 12:09am

    Skillet for halftime 2013!!!!

    Report Post »  
  • kiwi1
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 11:40pm

    Downloading to my ipad right now.

    Report Post »  
  • nighttrainno9
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 10:55pm

    I think this is GREAT. The Lord wanted us to reach as many
    people as possible with the word. I’ll donate, where do I sign up?

    Report Post »  
  • thecrazypastor
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 9:49pm

    It’s a little unfair that the guy can work 10 years on producing something, and then people criticize him for wanting to get a return on his investment of time and money. Having said that… since he’s taking donations to put an ad on the Super Bowl… he should realize people give for the “cause.” They donate to get the Bible out there, but not so one guy can get rich. That would be like a politician taking donations and paying himself a huge salary. If he sold it first and made enough money to put it in on the Super Bowl himself, that would be different, but since other people are “donating” to the Super Bowl ad, then those profits should be used appropriately, not for personal gain..

    Report Post »  
    • JarJamVan80
      Posted on May 25, 2012 at 7:58am

      Really? I guess it’s all come to if the Lord is telling people to give or not. I wouldn’t be bothered if he makes a billion off of it. Means this guy would be able to do more for the Kingdom!

      Report Post »  
    • Jim Fitzgerald
      Posted on May 25, 2012 at 9:02am

      This was not covered in the story, but Lord willing it is successful, we plan to deal with this by putting about half our share of any proceeds into our non-profit, Watchword Worldwide, to help complete versions in other major world languages. We’ve already produced the NT Arabic and a co-production in Japanese. In terms of the Gospel, these two languages address two of the largest “unreached people groups” in the world. We are also in discussions with two other non-profits who greatly influenced our work to share much of the rest with them. The purpose is to avoid the very issues you are raising in terms of perception. We currently live on our two social securities and have no savings or pension so will need to receive something for the future, but the goal is to make as much of an impact for the kingdom with these resources as well can while we can. We’ve demonstrated for two decades how we live. May God grant a spiritual awakening in this nation while there is yet an opportunity! Our campaign website is http://www.WatchwordVideoBible.com.

      Report Post »  
  • Mutiny
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 9:22pm

    I think this is a great idea. Not sure the network will allow it. Also, if they do allow it expect other religions to do the same.

    Report Post » Mutiny  
    • Jim Fitzgerald
      Posted on May 25, 2012 at 10:05am

      Networks have turned down evangelistic messages for “proselytizing”. But this is different in that a genuine product is being offered…the Bible as the first ever videobook now available as an app. We trust it will be harder to reject a product ad.

      Report Post »  
  • Netsurfer2
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 9:18pm

    Wouldn’t it do better to give the money to the suffering around the world? Jesus did not care about money! God took care of him in every way! I’m not sure churches were to profit in this world? There is already to much greed to begin with!

    Report Post » Netsurfer2  
  • whatthecrazy
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 9:05pm

    These are the type of people we should stand behind.People who are sacraficing all to make things right are all we have. We have no government to rely on, they are traitors………………

    Report Post »  
  • The-Monk
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 8:33pm

    I think it’s all going to hinge on what station (network) the Super Bowl will be aired on.

    Report Post » The-Monk  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 11:29pm

      Hey Monk, CBS has it this year and I believe it is set to be in New Orleans.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
  • kickagrandma
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 8:28pm

    We’re in.

    GOD BLESS you and your wife, Jim Fitzgerald, your company and your employees. GOD IS BLESSING your project and HE WILL MAKE A WAY.

    Report Post »  
  • Individualism
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 8:19pm

    Religion is a business like any other.

    Report Post » Individualism  
    • randy
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 8:33pm

      You’re an idiot!

      Report Post » randy  
    • kickagrandma
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 8:33pm

      CHRISTIANITY IS A LIFESTYLE. Big difference.

      Report Post »  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 8:38pm

      @Idiotvidualism

      You do know that your Hero Ron Paul is a Christian? Don’t you?

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • copatriots
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 8:52pm

      Do you people never get tired of coming here specifically to bash Christianity? Is that the best form of entertainment you can conceive?

      Report Post »  
    • GodHatesFigs
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 9:03pm

      And this advertisement/fund raising drive is disguised as news.

      Report Post » GodHatesFigs  
    • Individualism
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 9:06pm

      have fun in your fairy tale land

      Report Post » Individualism  
    • Zoe
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 9:18pm

      A business like any other……… In fairy tale land…..

      You didn’t watch too many Tom Petty Videos? Did you?

      Report Post » Zoe  
    • dontbotherme
      Posted on May 25, 2012 at 1:53pm

      Individualism: In the name of Jesus Christ, I ask you to go elsewhere. You have been given the truth & you refuse to hear or see it. You do not insult us who have faith in God. You mock God Himself. You are treading dangerous waters.

      Report Post »  
  • edmundburk
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 8:11pm

    I think this is really good, maybe after reading the E-bible posters such as monice and ecinom will drop their alter ego, become one with the blaze crowd, and quit trashing christainity.

    Report Post » edmundburk  

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