Suffolk News-Herald

QVC, America’s Host Search from Westchester, Pa., is coming to Chesapeake on Friday, Feb. 6, embarking on a national search for its next television host.

From 8 a.m.-5 p.m., the company will hold open call auditions at QVC’s call center at 1553 North River Birch Run, Chesapeake to find the channel’s next on-air talent and program host.

Jack Cornstock, vice president of television sales, said that in order to become a QVC program host, a candidate must possess qualifications unlike other live television hosts. He said it requires the perfect balance of charisma, sales knowledge and the ability to relate with QVC customers on a very personal level.

According to Bettie Crabel, Quality Communications Chair-man at the Chesapeake location, they are expecting people all across the state of Virginia to show up to display their on air talent.

&uot;Each person will have two minutes to do the audition in front of a camera. In those two minutes, each person must pitch his or her own product, market it and sell it,&uot; she said.

Brandon Hamm, QVC Spokesperson from West Chester said that the auditions will not end until at least 300 candidates

&uot;We will then take these candidates auditions back to QVC studios, review them and select 20 semi-finalist. From these candidates we will narrow them down to five finalist who will go on to compete on a live QVC broadcast on Friday, May 7. During that live program, QVC viewers will have the chance to vote for their favorite contestant for the spot of QVC program host. Once selected, the winner will spend six months in intensive training preparing for his or her first on-air appearance,&uot; said Hamm

Sharon Faetsch, a native of Wappingers Falls, N.Y., will serve as program host for the event. She presents product information, conducts demonstrations and interacts with on-air guests, celebrities and viewers. She also has been performing since she was in high school and has extensive theatrical and television experience.

Channels in this area that this program can be viewed on are Charter Communications Channel 16, Dish Network, Channel 226 and DirecTV Channel 317.

Candidates are also being asked to bring a resume and a head shot if available. Auditions will be done on a first-come first-served basis.

For the latest information candidates should call the audition hotline at 800-422-7805 or check online at www.QVChostsearch.com.

Other cities where auditions are being conducted are Port St. Lucy, Fla.; San Antonio, Texas; Cover City Calif., Providence, R.I. and Chicago, Ill.

QVC, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer, DrugFree/Smoke Free Work Environment. Pre-employment drug screening required and minorities are encouraged to apply. The company is also a $4.3 billion one and an e-commerce leader. Marketing a wide variety of brand name products.