WDIV-TV Weatherman Chuck Gaidica Launches Cuddlealert.com

WDIV-TV Weatherman Chuck Gaidica Launches Cuddlealert.com

- A Full Line of Cuddle Products Including "Cuddles" the Bear

DETROIT, Nov. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Chuck Gaidica, Detroit's well-loved weatherman, is taking his famous Cuddle Alert fun weather warning to new levels by launching a retail and wholesale product line and website. The line will include clothing, hats, blankets and baby items plus Cuddles, the bear which is depicted with a Cuddle Alert logoed shirt.

(Photo:

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071119/CLM075 )

A Cuddle Alert is Gaidica's unique way of having fun with cold weather any time of the year. When the weather forecast calls for unusually cold weather, he issues a Cuddle Alert encouraging viewers to cuddle with someone or something. "Cuddling has medicinal value," says Gaidica. "Research has shown that everyone benefits from contact. Everyday folks, seniors, puppies, babies..."

Why cuddle? Hugs and cuddling increase hormones that can decrease the risk of heart disease according to University of North Carolina research. Cuddling is a known stress reliever too. Various polls over the years, from Ann Landers to polls online, overwhelmingly show women want to cuddle with their partners... over almost anything else! Many people talk about cuddling; recently Katherine McPhee of American Idol fame was quoted in Stuff Magazine. McPhee talking about male-female relationships said: "they don't get that all we want is, for a few seconds, for you to be all about the girl -- to snuggle her..."

As with television Cuddle Alerts, Gaidica hopes to send a message with his product line that cuddling is beneficial to everyone and can be done by anyone. His hopes are that this will become more than just products and news flashes, he hopes that the message will flourish about the benefits of cuddling. "We are building a web site where not only can people purchase items, but they can interact with each other. We would love to have people submit their photos of families, friends and even strangers cuddling." Gaidica is also in the process of writing a book on cuddling.

Gaidica envisions spreading the cuddle alert message over the airwaves nationwide. He is working on getting the product line to other news affiliates and is talking to retailers. Currently the products are only available online at www.cuddlealert.com.

Gaidica invented Cuddle Alert 27 years ago as a weatherman in Little Rock, Arkansas. "I wanted to find a way to make cold weather fun. You don't have to live in a cold climate to cuddle." Instead of talking about an official warning, Gaidica came up with the idea of creating the Cuddle Alert. He has even issued these alerts in July and August. "An alert could go for one night or even a week." Gaidica received positive feedback from Little Rock viewers and so in 1982 he brought Cuddle Alert with him to Detroit.

Gaidica has always maintained the service mark on Cuddle Alert and has rights to the trade mark and the domain name. "In the back of my mind, I thought that someday I would have fun with it and extend its reach." Gaidica feels that this is a potential opportunity to raise funds for a worthy charity or provide a way to donate products to those in need. He is investigating organizations to be the beneficiary of the Cuddle Alert concept.

Cuddle Alert merchandise is available to re-sellers and qualified fundraising groups at wholesale prices. The merchandise is also available for those who would like to earn a commission through our affiliate link program.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Photo: NewsCom:

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071119/CLM075
AP Archive:

http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Media Connections Advertising

CONTACT: Michael Tucker of Media Connections Advertising,
+1-313-277-0960 ext. 10

Web site:

http://www.cuddlealert.com/

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