The promo community was represented on prime-time last week when Dustin Downing, chief product officer of Dallas-based business service provider OrderMyGear, appeared on Wheel of Fortune.

  • Downing is a member of PPAI's Technology Committee.
  • Over 9 million people each night watch Wheel of Fortune.
  • Since 1983, the game show has aired 41 seasons and its hosts, Pat Sajak and Vanna White, have become household names.

“As I look back on my ‘15 minutes of fame’ on Wheel of Fortune, it will always be about the people and the hours that I spent with them outside of the 20 minutes when the camera was rolling,” Downing says. “The casting directors, producers, hair and make-up and even Pat and Vanna were all so warm, personable and positive.”

Carol Kaelson/Wheel of Fortune®/© 2024 Califon Productions, Inc. ARR.

15 Years In The Making

Downing’s appearance on one of America’s longest running television shows was a goal he set over a decade ago, and when the network started accepting video applications last summer, he got his chance.

“There aren't many shows on TV that provide a safe, positive family experience like Wheel of Fortune does, and about 15 years ago I decided that I wanted to be a part of something that had become a part of the American culture,” Downing says.

Downing flew to Los Angeles to film the episode on December 1.

Although he did not come away with first place, Downing did come home with a highlight that he’ll always cherish.

“My favorite part was getting the opportunity to shout out my grandma and her assisted living community Golden Oaks in Stillwater, Oklahoma, when Pat Sajak did the contestant intros,” Downing says. “She’s been a longtime fan of Wheel of Fortune.”

He also shared a few insider nuggets with PPAI Media:

  • The 30-minute show requires an 11-hour tape day that includes numerous episodes being filmed.
  • Twenty-one contestants are brought to the studio, and only 18 are cast for the episodes filmed that day.
  • The wheel weighs 2,400 pounds.

In classic game show fashion, Downing did not leave empty-handed. He won a trip for him and his family to the Bahamas.

A Watch Party At OMG HQ

The OrderMyGear team was not about to treat Downing’s TV appearance like any old day. The company held a watch party in its headquarters in Dallas with his colleagues cheering him on.

“[Dustin] actively seeks out new experiences and is all in with everything he does, which is a huge asset for our team and for the promo industry in general,” says Mykayla Goodwin, OMG’s VP of strategy. “If there's a problem or puzzle to solve, you want Dustin on your team.”

PPAI Media’s associate editor, Rachel Zoch, was a contestant on Jeopardy! and says that the first thrill is filming the show, and the second is when the episode airs, so she’s not surprised at OMG’s support.

“Sharing it with your friends is the best part,” Zoch says. “And promo people are always up for a celebration.”

Matt Kaplan, OMG’s president, hinted that Downing has another television show on his bucket list, so he wouldn’t be surprised if the company is planning another watch party someday down the line.

PPAI’s Own Game Show

It turns out that the promo community doesn’t shy away from the spotlight.

Last month at The PPAI Expo, the association hosted its annual edition of The Pitch, promo’s cross between Shark Tank and The Voice in which even supplier participants had three minutes to win over a panel of veteran distributor judges as well as the audience, a packed Mandalay Bay Convention Center ballroom.

It was once again one of the most talked about parts of the entire week at The PPAI Expo, with Sweeter Cards taking home first place with its flagship product, a fully customizable greeting card and chocolate bar, all in one.

  • For those who weren’t able to attend in person, stay tuned because PPAI will soon upload a version of The Pitch for members to watch.