Tag: Digital

Marissa Mayer Reveals the Future of Yahoo Advertising

Ellen

1/7/2014   Mashable

Yahoo on Tuesday answered the question about what the company intends to do with Tumblr.

CEO Marissa Mayer announced at the company’s CES event on Tuesday the introduction of Yahoo Advertising, a united platform for that will simplify the purchase of ads on Yahoo’s various properties including Tumblr.

“The new Yahoo Advertising includes a comprehensive suite of web, mobile, and video ad products across native, audience, and premium display, which are accessible through a new buying platform. These products are supported by Yahoo’s data and analytical tools, with insights into the daily digital habits of more than 800 million people worldwide,” Yahoo wrote in a blog post. Analytics had been a sore point for Tumblr. Until now, marketers haven’t had the ability to buy by gender or location. In addition, advertisers will only have to pay when their Tumblr ad is reblogged, liked or followed or if there’s a direct click to the ad.

David Karp, who founded Tumblr and is now working under Mayer, also made an appearance where he noted that Tumblr’s sponsored posts, which have shown early success since their introduction in 2012, will be under the umbrella of the new ad platform.

The move marks one of the most dramatic moves by Mayer since she took the lead job at Yahoo in summer of 2012. She has executed numerous acquisitions as part of a three-pronged plan to turn around the web portal.

Despite positive reactions to Mayer’s moves — Yahoo’s stock is up 160% since she became chief executive — advertising revenue has continued to decline.

 

http://mashable.com/2014/01/07/marissa-mayer-yahoo-advertising/?utm_cid=mash-com-fb-main-link

 

Netflix’s 50 Million Subscribers Face a Flood of New Shows

Ellen

7/21/2014   Businessweek

Netflix’s second-quarter results popped out Monday afternoon, and here are the highlights: The company posted revenue of $1.15 billion vs. $837 million in the same period last year. Its net income hit $71 million, up from $29 million, and it now has more than 50 million customers worldwide—50.05 million, to be precise. Investors gave Netflix (NFLX) a pat on the back for increasing its subscribers at a healthy clip, sending shares 1 percent higher in after-hours trading.

Let’s step away from the numbers, though, and head to the second section of Netflix’s letter to shareholders (pdf), where the company discussed what it lovingly refers to as “Content.” After going on for a bit about its 31 Emmy nominations and the debut of a new season of Hemlock Grove, Netflix listed its cavalcade of coming shows:

“In the coming weeks, we will premiere the all new 4th and final season of The Killing and a new adult animated comedy BoJack Horseman. Also in August, we will release Mission Blue from the Oscar winning director of The Cove, Fisher Stevens.
“Reflecting the increasingly global nature of the Netflix service, we now have original series in production around the world, involving some of the best storytellers working in television and film today. Marco Polo, a historical adventure from Executive Producer Harvey Weinstein, is shooting in Kazakhstan and Malaysia. In New York there is Marvel’s Daredevil, the first of our original series from Marvel Television, as well as the already eagerly anticipated third season of Orange is the New Black; while in Baltimore, production is underway on the third season of House of Cards. In the Florida Keys, the creators of Damages (Glenn Kessler, Daniel Zelman, and Todd Kessler) are shooting a dark family thriller with an ensemble cast led by Kyle Chandler, Sissy Spacek, Sam Shepard, Linda Cardellini, Ben Mendelsohn, and Norbert Leo Butz.
“Sense8, a mind-bending series from the Wachowskis (The Matrix trilogy, Cloud Atlas) and J. Michael Straczynski (Babylon 5), began production in San Francisco last month, is now in Chicago, and will shoot in many international locations this year. In August, production begins in Los Angeles on Grace and Frankie, a comedy led by Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Martin Sheen and Sam Waterston; and in Colombia, Brazilian director José Padilha (Elite Squad, Robocop) will begin filming Narcos with an all-star international cast led by Wagner Moura.
“During the quarter, we announced our first ever talk show, hosted by Chelsea Handler, the popular comedian and best-selling author.”

OK, no one in their right mind should brag about being associated even loosely with Cloud Atlas. Fair enough. But beyond that, you have to feel gobsmacked after digesting Netflix’s list of shows. Whatever Amazon.com (AMZN) and Hulu are working on can’t match this in quantity or quality of talent. (Netflix has transported Coach Taylor to the Florida Keys. Think about it.)

Netflix has spent more and risked more to become a real competitor to HBO (TWX) and Showtime (CBS) in programming while maintaining a technology edge over everyone. When Netflix first set out on this strategy, it was easy to predict a bleak future in which the company would spend itself to death buying shows that no one watched. Netflix took a huge risk, although hindsight and the rising subscriber numbers are making it harder to remember just how gutsy the move was.

Neither Hulu nor Amazon seem as good at making or marketing their shows. Hulu’s shows tend to come off as amateurish, while Amazon’s are just hard to find and trapped in the company’s clunky interface. It’s unclear to me how either company will compete with Netflix over the long term unless they’re willing to go bigger and risk more.

 

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-07-21/netflixs-50-million-subscribers-get-tons-of-original-shows

 

Netflix Bolsters Offerings in Documentary Genre

Ellen

7/28/2014   The New York Times

Netflix is picking up exclusive rights to the documentary “Virunga” as part of a broader push by the company to include more cause-related documentaries in its growing original programming lineup.

The film, about the battle to protect a national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, will make its debut on Netflix this year. It follows a team of park rangers at Virunga National Park that includes a former child soldier, a caretaker for orphan gorillas and a Belgian conservationist. The group fights to save the Unesco world heritage site from armed militia, poachers and others as a rebellion breaks out across the country.

“Virunga” premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in April, where it was nominated for the Best Documentary Feature prize.

Netflix is pouring $3 billion into content this year and is steadily expanding its roster of original programing to lure subscribers. At the same time, Netflix is charting an international expansion as its streaming business in the United States matures.

While the company has received much attention for its scripted programs, including “House of Cards” and “Orange Is the New Black,” it has also picked up a series of documentaries. Those include “Mitt,” about Mitt Romney’s presidential aspirations, and “The Square,” about the Egyptian revolution.

The documentary push at Netflix comes as a range of outlets, including Time Warner’s CNN and Amazon, also increase their offerings in the category.

Netflix does not release specific audience figures, but executives said the documentaries generated “good sized” audiences, leading the company to seek out more of the genre.

Of particular interest are cause-related documentaries with messages that will resonate globally, said Lisa Nishimura, vice president of original documentary and comedy programming at Netflix.

In addition to “Virunga,” Netflix has picked up “E-Team,” about human rights workers, and “Mission Blue,” about the oceanographer Sylvia Earle. Terms of the deals were not disclosed.

“We are really free from the constraints that other platforms have,” Ms. Nishimura said. “How many people in the world really get to go to Sundance?”

Filmmakers say part of Netflix’s appeal is that it promotes the stories to its base of more than 50 million global members all at once. (Traditional distribution models generally require that filmmakers strike deals market by market and place huge emphasis on exclusive festivals and opening weekends.)

Instant global distribution is important to filmmakers with an urgent message, said Joanna Natasegara, the producer of “Virunga.” In addition, the titles will be available on the service in perpetuity, allowing audiences to grow over time.

“I can be talking about this film for the next couple of years, and boom, there it is,” said Fisher Stevens, director of “Mission Blue.” “It is just getting more and more subscribers and more and more eyes on it every day.”

 

“Resident Advisors” is a workplace comedy set in a college dorm

Ellen

6/30/2014   The Wrap

Elizabeth Banks will produce “Resident Advisors,” a comedy series for Paramount Digital starring “Veronica Mars” actor Ryan Hansen and “Hangover” actress Jamie Chung, the studio said Wednesday. Banks, who will make her directorial debut with next year’s “Pitch Perfect 2,” is working on the show with Max Handelman, her partner in Brownstone Productions.

The show is a workplace comedy set in a college dorm that chronicles the resident advisers who try to contain their students while having fun at the same time.

“We are thrilled to be collaborating with Paramount Digital Entertainment on this outrageously funny take on modern day dorm life in America,” Banks said in a statement, praising president of Paramount Digital Entertainment Amy Powell and her team for their “terrific track record for creating boldly entertaining content in this comedic medium and we look forward to a successful partnership.”

Paramount’s digital division has had its most success with short-form comedies like “Burning Love,” a spoof of “The Bachelor” in which Hansen also appeared. It is working on another reality spoof, “The Hotwives of Orlando,” for Hulu.

“No subject is off limits for the talented creators and cast of ‘Resident Advisors’ with its irreverent take on the absurdities of freshmen year at college,” Powell said in a statement. “Elizabeth, Max and the team at Brownstone have developed an ambitious and fun comedy that is perfectly suited for this format, and we are thrilled to have it mark our first collaboration with them.”

 

http://www.thewrap.com/elizabeth-banks-to-produce-comedy-series-for-paramount-digital/

The Six Companies Taking on YouTube

Ellen

6/25/2014   Video Ink

Everyone is building a YouTube competitor. Right?

Not exactly — though it’s easy to see why a well-resourced company would want to.

Why? Because, quite frankly, there is nothing else quite like YouTube. Sure, there are some competitors in the video space that are open platforms with video embed functionality like Dailymotion and Vimeo. But neither have the competitive scale.

But as we’ve learned repeatedly over the past year, YouTube is not exactly the best for building a profitable business if you rely solely on it for revenue. And where there’s weakness, there’s opportunity.

And there’s a handful of companies gunning to take a bite out of YouTube’s business.

While various companies are not building “direct” YouTube competitors, there are six companies starting to build syndication plays for subscriber-dominant YouTube creators looking for additional revenue ops.

In a way, it’s windowing in the YouTube economy, where the commodity is the creator and the relationship with his or her fans, instead of any particular piece of content he or she creates.

Six companies are strategically making moves to swoop in on YouTube’s business. Click below to read why and how each is doing so.

1. Yahoo

2. Comcast

3. Conde Nast Entertainment

4. Facebook

5. Complex Media

6. Fullscreen

 

http://www.thevideoink.com/features/six-companies-taking-youtube/#.U9mOt6gpEaK

Former Hulu boss’ new startup ‘Vessel’ is going after YouTube’s top talent

Ellen

NOTE: GrowthBeat — VentureBeat’s provocative new marketing-tech event — is a week away! We’ve gathered the best and brightest to explore the data, apps, and science of successful marketing. Get the full scoop here, and grab your tickets while they last.

7/29/2014   VB News

More details have emerged about the new video startup Vessel from founder and former Hulu CEO Jason Kilar — specifically, how the company’s business model might make YouTube sweat.

Vessel is apparently targeting top content partners currently uploading their work to premium YouTube channels, according to a new report today from The Information. The report indicates that current YouTube partners might be willing to ditch the streaming video giant if Vessel can promise them better contract terms offering a larger payout. (It’s also something I predicted might be Vessel’s business model when the company announced its massive $75 million round of funding last week.)

Vessel declined comment to VentureBeat about its plans for video creators.

In addition to better terms, the report also said Vessel is offering to pay for guarantees of temporary exclusivity (30-day exclusive window) on content produced by those YouTube partners. That’s definitely something YouTube hasn’t really done much of but may have to start doing if it wants to keep up.

In the past, YouTube has set aside upwards of $200 million to both finance and promote content from its premium channel partners. Additionally, YouTube set up studios in select locations to help those creators produce high-quality videos at a low cost, and it launched a crowdfunding button on channel pages. Also, Reuters reported that YouTube is offering some creators the chance to pitch new episodic series with the goal of getting picked up on another medium (television). But if those creators can’t maintain a lucrative business through YouTube’s ecosystem, it might not matter.

To top it off, Vessel isn’t even the only one going after YouTube top talent, either. Yahoo is also rumored to be offering YouTube channel partners its own set of lucrative terms for content that will be featured on a yet-to-be-announced Yahoo-branded video service.

But we still don’t know Vessel’s entire business strategy, although I think it would be a safe bet to say it isn’t trying to become just another multichannel video network like Maker, Machinima, or Fullscreen.

Ashley Kaplan VRP

Ellen

Ashley Kaplan is the head of content for Fullscreen (since December 2013).

Previously, Ashley was vice president of digital content and strategy for the Magical Elves production company. In this role, Ashley oversaw the development, production, and content partnerships for all media adjacent to the company’s television properties—most notably the Emmy-winning series Last Chance Kitchen, which ranked as the most viewed web series in Comcast history. Ashley was also responsible for the development and production of various original branded entertainment projects and spearheaded the launch of the Elves’ Latin programming division.

Before joining the Magical Elves, Ashley helped launch Logo’s digital content department, producing the first online original series for the channel. There she went on to create a vast library of content for the collection of Viacom websites. Previously, Ashley served as a producer at Current TV and as a development executive at Evolution.

Experience:
Multiplatform Producer LOGO/ MTV Networks
August 2006 – 2013
Manager of Development Evolution Film & Tape Inc.
June 2004 – June 2006 (2 years 1 month)
Manager of Development Evolution Film & Tape
2004 – 2006 (2 years)

Education:
Washington University in St. Louis
1999 – 2003

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=5553996&authType=name&authToken=TaT2&trk=prof-sb-browse_map-name

In the Media:

Ashley Kaplan spoke at Born to Stream: The Economics and Ideals of Internet-Originated Television on April 29th.

With online video consumption rising fast, a new breed of television channels is emerging directly from the broadband Internet firmament. Professionally produced, built around strong brands and attracting significant audiences, this new programming wellspring offers viewers exciting new choices and paves the way for partnerships with traditional television networks and distributors. Find out what’s driving a fresh new content category – and where cable fits into the picture.

Audio: http://2014.thecableshow.com/schedule/Session/1053 (start: 4’50’’)

Fullscreen Names Ashley Kaplan as Head of Content

Seasoned Media Veteran with a Proven Track Record for Pioneering Online Content for Traditional Media Joins the Company to Supercharge Video Storytelling for Creators and Brands

Fullscreen http://www.fullscreen.com/press/fullscreen-names-ashley-kaplan-head-content/

Fullscreen, Inc., the media company powering the creation and sharing of video with the connected generation, has selected television and digital media veteran Ashley Kaplan as the company’s new Head of Content. Kaplan brings her knowledge and expertise in content creation, development, production, and content partnerships for traditional and online media to the company’s leadership bench. At Fullscreen, Kaplan will be charged with overseeing the ongoing production and development of premium content with talent and brands.

After years of producing both award-winning television programming and digital, short-form content, Kaplan was sought out by CEO George Strompolos to head up and build out Fullscreen’s original content division and production capabilities. “The connected generation prefers streaming video to traditional programming,” said Strompolos. “We’re continuing to witness increased viewership across our network online and on across mobile devices—from 9% to more than 40% over the past two years—and Ashley is the perfect person to capitalize on this growing audience through the creation of stories that these new viewers can shape, influence, and personally engage with.”

Kaplan’s passion for short-form digital content began in 2005, when she served as a producer at Current TV. She later went on to create a vast library of content at Viacom websites. Notably, Kaplan helped launch the digital content department for Logo (a Viacom property), and produced the first online original series for the channel.

“The conventions of storytelling are changing,” said Kaplan. “The younger generation craves media that is drastically different from what traditional television programming offers. They want personalized content that is available across devices at a moment’s notice. Fullscreen embraces these new conventions and offered me the perfect environment to create premium content with and for this generation.”

Kaplan joins the company after serving as Vice President of Digital Content and Strategy for the Magical Elves production company, where she oversaw development, production, and content partnerships for all media adjacent to the company’s television properties. Her work included the Emmy award–winning series Last Chance Kitchen, which ranked as the most viewed web series in Comcast history. Kaplan was also responsible for the development and production of various original branded entertainment projects and spearheaded the launch of the Elves’ Latin programming division.

Fullscreen Names Ashley Kaplan Head of Content to Develop Premium Online Video (3/5/2014)
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/fullscreen-names-ashley-kaplan-head-686129

Fullscreen, with its software and analytics tools, has positioned itself as one of the most tech-focused of the YouTube networks. But the Culver City company is putting a greater emphasis on premium online video with the appointment of Ashley Kaplan as head of content.

Kaplan joined Fullscreen in December from Magical Elves, where she was vp digital content and strategy and oversaw such projects as Last Chance Kitchen, the web series companion to Bravo’s Top Chef.

In her new role, Kaplan will oversee ongoing production and development of premium content with Fullscreen talent and brands.

“I’m really starting almost from scratch and building a full-service, world-class production facility,” Kaplan tells THR. “Fullscreen has become one of the leading MCNs on YouTube — we have the opportunity to continue our evolution into a media company. The connected generation and content is a big part of that.”

CEO George Strompolos founded Fullscreen in 2011. Today the company, which is backed by The Chernin Group, Comcast Ventures and others, works with online talent including The Fine Brothers and violinist Lindsey Stirling. It was the No. 3 YouTube partner channel in January with 26.4 million total unique viewers behind Vevo and Zefr, according to comScore.

Kaplan says the company wants to continue to grow that audience, especially on mobile. Mobile was only 9 percent of Fullscreen’s traffic in 2011, she says, but had grown to more than 40 percent as of late 2013.

Fullscreen’s mobile focus is not surprising given its January acquisition of Supernova, the developer behind video sharing app Viddy.

Kaplan adds, “What’s really interesting is an intersection between technology, product and content. That’s what makes me really excited about the future of Fullscreen.”
Fullscreen Is Building An Off YouTube Subscription Video Site For Millennials (Exclusive) (5/22/2014)

No word yet on when Fullscreen’s subscription initiative is scheduled to launch, but we’re told the company’s new Head of Content, Ashley Kaplan and team are already working on securing premium comedy programming that will be distributed on the site.

http://www.tubefilter.com/2014/05/22/fullscreen-subscription-site-off-youtube/

New Form Digital Studios & Kathleen Grace VRP

Ellen

New Form Digital Studios
http://newformdigital.com/

NewForm-394x222

Twitter: @NewFormDigital https://twitter.com/NewFormDigital (no tweet)
Instagram: http://instagram.com/newformdigital (no photo)

Brian Grazer, Ron Howard Launch ‘New Form’ Digital Studio With Discovery
4/2/2014 THR
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/brian-grazer-ron-howard-launch-693189

howardgrazer_a

Discovery Communications is teaming with Imagine’s Brian Grazer and Ron Howard to launch digital studio New Form.

The new studio will be lead by chief creative officer Kathleen Grace, formerly head of creative development at YouTube Space LA, and will make scripted programming for Discovery’s online networks.

The studio will receive less than $5 million in funding a year, according to a report from the New York Times.

Discovery has built up a roster of digital properties. It acquired San Francisco network Revision3 in 2012 for $35 million and launched science-themed TestTube and humor site Animalist in 2013.

“We are excited and proud to have the most accomplished and creative minds in all of film and television investing with us in New Form,” said Discovery Communications president and CEO David Zaslav. “Brian and Ron are best-in-class storytellers, and we look forward to developing compelling programming for today’s digital viewers. This creative powerhouse, coupled with Discovery’s strong programming expertise and our ability to engage viewers across our global platforms, is an unparalleled combination.”

Grazer added, “Technology is rapidly changing the entertainment landscape for studios, producers and audiences, and Ron and I could not think of a better partner to invest with than Discovery to expand beyond film and television and enter into the digital frontier.”

Grazer and Howard noted in the Times report that their involvement in the studio would be limited. Others involved include attorney Craig Jacobson, former Tribune Broadcasting president Ed Wilson, former William Morris CEO Jim Wiatt, Imagine co-chairman Michael Rosenberg and CAA.

Noted Howard, “By investing with Discovery, New Form is poised to re-imagine storytelling and reach new audiences online and beyond.”

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, RON HOWARD AND BRIAN GRAZER FUND ‘NEW FORM’ DIGITAL STUDIO
4/3/2014 Discovery
http://press.discovery.com/us/discovery-digital-media/press-releases/2014/discovery-communications-ron-howard-and-brian-3022/

Based in Los Angeles and helmed by Kathleen Grace, who has been appointed Chief Creative Officer, New Form will focus on developing high-quality, scripted and unscripted programming for today’s digital viewers. Partnering with key distributors and brands, New Form’s series will be available through a series of partnerships, with the possibility of expanded distribution across Discovery and partner platforms globally in the future.

Discovery to Make Scripted Online Videos With Oscar Winners
4/3/2014 The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/04/business/media/discovery-to-make-scripted-online-videos-with-oscar-winners.html

LOS ANGELES — A cable giant that specializes in nonfiction programming is teaming up with two movie superpowers to make scripted online videos.

The new studio will seek to create three- to six-minute episodic video series and stand-alone videos à la Funny or Die, Will Ferrell’s comedy website.

“We want to connect with a scalable amount of people and have an impact on the culture,” said Mr. Grazer, whose recent TV and movie projects have included “Rush,” “Arrested Development” and “Cowboys & Aliens.”

The financial commitment is small. New Form, which will be run by Kathleen Grace, a former YouTube executive, will receive less than $5 million annually in funding, according to a person briefed on the investment who spoke on the condition of anonymity in order to discuss private information.

Lots of production companies have experimented in this arena, but few have had Oscar winners involved: Mr. Howard and Mr. Grazer won multiple Academy Awards for “A Beautiful Mind” in 2002. In an interview, the two men at first said their involvement in New Form would be relatively limited, but in a follow-up call they emphasized deeper creative involvement.

“We’re super excited about exploring this new world,” Mr. Grazer said. “We intend to participate to the extent that we can.”

Mr. Howard noted that he had directed Funny or Die videos. “This is now going to be the place to go and do that,” he said, calling the partnership “creatively exciting.”

Discovery Teams With Ron Howard And Brian Grazer To Create Digital Studio
4/3/2014 Deadline.com
http://www.deadline.com/2014/04/discovery-teams-with-ron-howard-and-brian-grazer-to-create-digital-studio/

Kathleen Grace will be chief creative officer of the LA-based operation. Her mission, the companies say, is to develop “high-quality, scripted and unscripted programming for today’s digital viewers” — and to create alliances with “key distribution partners and brands.” Digital productions typically have low budgets, and generate low revenues on the Internet, but the ones from New Form have a “possibility of expanded distribution across Discovery and partner platforms globally.” The announcement comes ahead of Discovery’s upfront presentation today in NYC, where Ron Howard will appear to introduce the digital JV. “By investing with Discovery, New Form is poised to re-imagine storytelling and reach new audiences online and beyond,” he says.

Ron Howard, Brian Grazer to Launch Digital Studio with Discovery Communications
4/2/2014 Variety
http://variety.com/2014/digital/news/ron-howard-brian-grazer-to-launch-digital-studio-with-discovery-communications-1201151019/

New Form, which will also produce unscripted content, expects to license content to a wide range of digital distributors and will not operate a standalone website. Discovery may take some projects for itself but will be counted on more for its expertise in ad sales, marketing and distribution.
……
New Form isn’t the first time at the digital rodeo for Howard and Grazer. Way back in 1999, they were part of a dream team of Hollywood players including Steven Spielberg, David Geffen and Paul Allen who attempted to launch Pop.com, a digital studio in the pre-broadband era that quickly fizzled. “We were a decade or two early,” joked Howard. “It was fascinating then and entirely exploratory, but it’s even more fascinating now.”

YouTuber Tony Valenzuela on his pitch to Ron Howard venture, New Form
7/9/2014 Stream Daily
http://streamdaily.tv/2014/07/09/tony-valenzuela-on-his-pitch-to-ron-howard-venture-new-form/

New Form Digital announced on Tuesday that it has launched the New Form Incubator to help develop and fund 14 short films produced by top YouTube talent this summer.

Those chosen for the incubator’s inaugural round of projects include 5SecondFilms, Anna Akana, Craig Benzine (WheezyWaiter), Joe Penna (MysteryGuitarMan), Joey Graceffa, Meghan Camarena (Strawburry17), P J Liguori (KickThePJ), POYKPAC, Sawyer Hartman and Tony Valenzuela (BlackBoxTV).

Valenzuela pitched New Form chief creative officer Kathleen Grace a horror mystery titled The Fourth Door that will use YouTube’s clickable annotations to an interactive storytelling experience.

The New Form Incubator shorts will initially be distributed through each creator’s YouTube channel, with the possibility of extending the deals to include additional content and expanded distribution across global platforms.

Ron Howard and Brian Grazer’s New Form Digital to Fund 14 Short Films from YouTube Creators
7/8/2014
http://entertainment.msn.com/news/article.aspx?news=876566

New Form Digital, the studio formed by Discovery, Ron Howard and Brian Grazer, announced on Tuesday that it has launched its first creative venture, New Form Incubator, through which they will develop and fund 14 short films with popular YouTube content creators.

The first 14 shorts will be produced by Youtube personalities 5SecondFilms, Anna Akana, Bertie Gilbert, Chris Riedell and Nick Riedell (The Brothers Riedell), Craig Benzine (WheezyWaiter), Joe Penna (MysteryGuitarMan), Joey Graceffa, Meghan Camarena (Strawburry17), PJ Liguori (KickThePJ), POYKPAC, Sawyer Hartman, Tim Hautekiet, Tony Valenzuela (BlackBoxTV) and Yulin Kuang.

The short films created under New Form Incubator will be distributed through each partner’s YouTube channel, with the possibility of extended content deals and expanded distribution across global platforms if successful.

“The New Form team is excited to be working with some of our favorite online content creators to make films that, while short in nature, are truly unique in today’s multiplatform landscape,” said Kathleen Grace, chief creative officer of New Form Digital. “Our New Form Incubator partners represent not only some of the most successful channels on YouTube, but also a new breed of filmmaker for a new generation.”

Kathleen Grace, Chief Creative Officer at New Form

Personal Website: http://kmgrace.com/ (Her works and reels are on it.)

From the website:

I am a writer / director / producer based in Los Angeles. (Yes, that is a lot of slashes) I am the Chief Creative Officer of New Form Digital.

Prior to New Form Digital I was the head of creative development for the YouTube Space LA, a 41,000 square foot facility where YouTubers make videos for their channels, collaborate with other creators, share their experiences, and learn how to build a YouTube channel.  In my life before YouTube I was the Vice President of Production and Programming at Next New Networks (acquired by YouTube in 2011) where I produced original series and worked with emerging YouTube creators through the Next New Creators program. I created the critically acclaimed web series The Burg that got the attention of mainstream media (NY Times, Wired, LA Times, SF Chronicle, Reuters), hipsters, and  media moguls alike. I created, produced and directed  Michael Eisner’s new media studio Vuguru’s mockumentary The All for Nots. It premiered on HDNet and the Internet.

Email: kathleen.grace@gmail.com
Phone: (424) 259-3463

As a keynote speaker on Cynopsis Digital’s Big Monetization Summit, Kathleen Grace gave a speech “It’s All about the Fans”. Here’s the slides:
http://www.cyndigitalmonetization.com/files/2014/06/cynopsis_monetization_kathleenPDF.pdf
(It Gets Better was mentioned.)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleengrace

Twitter: @kmgrace https://twitter.com/kmgrace (707 followers)
“A writer, director, producer who makes stories for the Internet, TV, and film. I am the manager of creative development for the YouTube Space LA.”

Instagram: http://instagram.com/catillya/
Tumblr: http://kmgrace.tumblr.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/catillya
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2348849/

Anthony Kaan/Relativity Digital – VRP

Ellen

Anthony Kaan
Vice President, Original and Branded Content at Relativity Digital Studios

XsVOsqt4_400x400

Projects:
The Biggest Loser (NBC) – Season 14 – BRITA 2012
Parenthood (NBC) – Season 3 – CLOROX 2011 – 2012
The Possibility Shop (DISNEY) – Seasons 1-3 – CLOROX 2 2010 – 2012
Supermoms (YOUTUBE & FACEBOOK) – GLAD, CLOROX, FRESH STEP 2011 – 2012
Kitchen Central (YAHOO) – CLOROX 2011 – 2012
Worldwide Day of Play (NICKELODEON) – CLOROX 2 2010 – 2011
American Idol (FOX) – Seasons 5-7 – COCA-COLA 2007 – 2010
Transformers (PARAMOUNT, DREAMWORKS) – HASBRO 2005 – 2007
Vans Warped Tour – Season 12 – HASBRO 2005 – 2007
Lounge 22 Music Series – ABERCROMBIE & FITCH 2004 – 2006

Languages: French, Spanish

Twitter: @Anthony_Kaan  4,525 followers
https://twitter.com/Anthony_Kaan
Bio: Branded Entertainment…Pop Culture…and Pumpkin Pie…

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonykaan
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/anthonykaan
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+AnthonyKaan/posts
IMDB Pro: https://pro-labs.imdb.com/name/nm6559473/?ref_=sch_int
Tumblr: http://anthony-kaan.tumblr.com/
Bookvibe: http://www.bookvibe.com/people/Anthony_Kaan

-This should be the same person:
Anthony Kaan, Marketer
Creative Artists Agency, LLC
9830 Wilshire Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Company Phone: 310-288-4545
Email: akaan@caa.com
Job Category: Executive
Job Level: Other

-He might be one of the two actors in this (not so good) short: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHICReTxsis&feature=share

-Anthony Kaan donated $35 to a Democrat candidate in Wisconsin.
(http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/contributor.phtml?d=2659022650)

Relativity Digital Studios
http://www.relativitymedia.com/Digital.aspx

Relativity Digital, the digital division of Relativity Media, recognizes that online video is a viable distribution alternative to TV and seeks to develop, produce, market, and distribute fresh and original content.

Relativity Digital provides marketing and production resources to support Relativity Media’s films, television shows and brand partners. Having created numerous video advertising campaigns for Relativity Media, Relativity Digital enlists some of the biggest YouTube tastemakers to produce highly successful branded videos that have garnered millions of views and hit their target audiences.

Relativity Digital is compromised of a number of online properties including:
IamRogue.com, ARTISTdirect.com, YouTube.com/IamROGUE, and The Rogue Movie Network.

IMDB Pro: https://pro-labs.imdb.com/company/co0485605/?ref_=sch_int

Projects:
Interns (TV mini-series) – Production Company (unknown episodes)
Girl’s Guide with Michelle Phan (TV mini-series) – Production Company (1 episode, 2014)

Relativity Launches Digital Studio Division (EXCLUSIVE)
2/5/2014 | Variety
http://variety.com/2014/digital/news/relativity-launches-digital-studio-division-exclusive-1201088355/

Relativity CEO Ryan Kavanaugh — calling traditional TV advertising a dead-end — is expanding the studio’s digital push with a new unit focused on developing original content for digital platforms on behalf of big brands.

Kavanaugh has recruited Roger Mincheff (pictured, above), former president of Myspace Entertainment and head of branded entertainment at Fox Filmed Entertainment, to run Relativity Digital Studios.

Relativity Digital Studios will create original digital content for major brands. As part of its launch, RDS is working with Relativity partner Major League Gaming in an exclusive arrangement on the company’s first slate of non-gaming programming, and the division also is commencing production on workplace comedy series “Interns,” with an unidentified brand partner.

“Relativity Digital Studios will work across all of our company’s platforms to deliver consumers compelling content whenever and however they want it,” Kavanaugh said in announcing the initiative. “Old television advertising is a dying model. Relativity is not a traditional studio, but a content engine that has the capability to deliver consumers engaging programming and give brands a powerful way to reach consumers.”

At Variety’s Entertainment Summit at the 2014 International CES, Kavanaugh advocated for the entertainment biz to shift more quickly to tech developments and changing consumer behavior.

In addition to developing original productions, Mincheff and the rest of the RDS team will work with Relativity’s film, television, sports and fashion divisions to identify digital opportunities for their projects and clients. Mincheff reports to Relativity Digital president Randall Cox, who oversees production of web originals and digital marketing for the studio.

“Ryan has built a company with such an entrepreneurial spirit,” said Mincheff, who is based out of Relativity’s Beverly Hills headquarters. “We’re the group that will make content for digital, to really understand the medium.”

RDS also will look to create non-branded original series, pegged for distribution on Internet-video services like Netflix and Hulu, and also will produce content to support theatrical releases. “We have a very TV-like content model — make compelling content and find the best home for it,” Mincheff said.

Mincheff previously was head of Myspace Entertainment, which was the internal production and entertainment division for original programming and content for the website, which was once a huge social media platform but is now a shadow of its former self. Prior to joining Myspace in 2012, he was at Fox Filmed Entertainment where he led production of branded digital content across the company’s film and television production entities, and was CEO of digital marketing agency Spacedog Media.

Relativity’s other divisions include Relativity Television, which has more than 20 series currently in production; Relativity Sports, which currently represents more than 300 professional athletes; and M3/Relativity, which represents clients across fashion, beauty, style and creative design.
Relativity Media Launching Digital Division for Brands, Hires Chief Marketing Officer
7/2/2014  Chicago Tribune
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2014-07-02/entertainment/sns-201407021448reedbusivarietyn1201256547-20140702_1_head-creative-advertising-relativity-media-dana-precious

Ryan Kavanaugh’s Relativity Media has hired as its first chief marketing officer Angela Courtin, who will launch a digital division focused on content creation for brands.