Sir Richard Branson Begins His Search For America's Most Adventuresome Risk-Takers - 17th May 2004

THE BILLIONAIRE: BRANSON'S QUEST FOR THE BEST (working title) Executive-Produced by Award-Winning Bunim-Murray Productions.

Sir Richard Branson, billionaire, global adventurer, world record-setter, entrepreneur and Founder/Chairman of the Virgin Group of Companies, is searching for an extraordinary individual who has the right stuff to follow in his footsteps. In THE BILLIONAIRE: BRANSON'S QUEST FOR THE BEST (working title), an unscripted drama series airing next season on FOX, Branson will take a group of young would-be billionaires on a whirlwind tour of the world to test their mettle by reliving some of his colorful adventures. Participants will be tested on the same sorts of life experiences and personal dilemmas that Branson faced on his own path to becoming one of the world's most successful businesspeople.

Male and female adventurers and entrepreneurs of all backgrounds, education levels and experience (21 years of age and older) who are ready for the opportunity of a lifetime are encouraged to bring a recent photo of themselves to an open casting call near them.

The first round of casting calls will be at the following locations:

Boston – Saturday, May 15 – 10am-5pm
The Rack
24 Clinton Street
Boston, MA 02109

Salt Lake City – Saturday, May 15 – 10am-5pm
Vortex
404 S. West Temple
Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Seattle – Tuesday, May 18– 11am-6pm
Fado Irish Pub
801 1st Ave.
Seattle, WA 98104

New York City – Thursday, May 20 – 10am-6pm
Virgin Megastore
1540 Broadway
Level 2
New York, NY 10036

San Francisco – Saturday, May 22 - 10am-5pm
Virgin Megastore
25 Stockton St.
San Francisco, CA 94108

A full list of dates, cities and venues will be updated at fox.com.

A self-made billionaire known for risk-taking, both personally and professionally, Branson combines his enthusiasm for running the Virgin Group of Companies with his love for high-adventure, world record-breaking attempts.

Branson is the only person in the world to have created five individual billion-dollar global enterprises from scratch in five different sectors – transportation (planes, trains and automobiles), leisure, telecommunications, venture capital and entertainment – all accomplished without any outside financial backing.

Branson formed Virgin Atlantic Airways in 1984 and in the last two decades has grown the airline into Britain's second-largest carrier. To promote the Virgin Atlantic name, Branson became involved in a number of high-publicity, record-breaking attempts throughout the 1980s and '90s. In 1986, his boat Virgin Atlantic Challenger II crossed the Atlantic Ocean in the fastest-ever recorded time, winning the Blue Riband back for Great Britain. A year later he flew the Virgin Atlantic Flyer balloon – the largest ever built – across the Atlantic.

In 1991 Branson's balloon crossed the Pacific from Japan to Canada, breaking all existing records, and he followed that with a number of attempts to circumnavigate the globe. Currently, Branson and Steve Fossett have partnered to attempt another great aviation first: a solo, non-stop flight around the world in less than 80 hours.

BILLIONAIRE: BRANSON'S QUEST FOR THE BEST (working title) was created by Lori Levin-Hyams, Laura Fuest and Tod Dahlke. Richard Branson, Jon Murray, Kevin Lee, Lori Levin-Hyams, Laura Fuest and Tod Dahlke are Executive Producers.

*Apply at http://www.fox.com/billionaire

Links:

Official websites

The Billionaire: Branson's Quest For The Best

Virgin

Articles

The Virgin Files

Profiles

Sir Richard Branson