蜜芽传媒

David Willis takes a look at the creative packaging that can make it or break it, in America. He talks to author David Remnick about his new biography, The Bridge: The Life and Rise of Barack Obama. The book illuminates the ways that the 44th American President crafted his image and landed in the spotlight of the political stage.

As British leaders prepare to step into their first televised debates there is much that can be learned from America about what to avoid in order to come out on top while under the bright television lights.

Award-winning film producer Jerry Weintraub talks about how to spot a winner among a sea of possibilities. From Karate Kid, to Ocean's Eleven, Ocean's Twelve, and Ocean's Thirteen, the successful film producer knows what works and what doesn't in this nation of dreamers.

And Americana takes a trip up the northeast coast to Maine. The last remaining US sardine factory will package its last fish despite efforts to keep the factory running after all these decades.

Email: americana@bbc.co.uk
Twitter: @bbcamericana
Podcast: http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/americana