October 19, 2009

Metacafe and Babelgum Partner to Deliver On-the-Go Video Entertainment

Filed under: Metacafe News, Metacafe Press, Metacafe Press Releases — The Metacafe Team @ 4:58 pm

Deal Provides Consumers Anytime, Anywhere Access to High-Quality Music, Film, Comedy and More

PALO ALTO, CA/ NEW YORK/ LONDON (October 19, 2009) – Web and mobile premium content platform Babelgum and Metacafe, the world’s leading independent video site, today announced a partnership that maximizes and aligns Babelgum’s high-quality content offerings and mobile technology with the large and growing Metacafe audience of more than 46 million unique monthly viewers[1].

Launching today is the Metacafe iPhone application, powered by Babelgum, which features a curated collection of Metacafe videos in categories including movies, sports, music, comedy, animation and “how-to” as well as a selection of Babelgum professionally produced programming. The free application is now available via the iTunes Store in the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, France and Spain.

Also a result of the new partnership is a recently launched Babelgum-branded channel on Metacafe, showcasing a selection of film, music, comedy, environmental and urban content from the extensive Babelgum catalog.  This content will also be promoted in Metacafe’s recently introduced premium entertainment hubs where relevant: TV Clips, Movie Trailers, Music Videos, Sports Highlights and Video Games.

“Packaging content in popular entertainment categories is a win-win for viewers and advertisers,” said Erick Hachenburg, CEO of Metacafe. “We make it easy for consumers to find content that suits their interests and preferences, and we make it efficient and effective for advertisers to reach those consumers when they’re engaged in the entertainment experience.”

“To us, this is an incredible and winning combination,” said Babelgum CEO Valerio Zingarelli. “We’re pleased to extend our mobile expertise, following the successful launch of our own US-based iPhone application earlier this year. With Metacafe’s reach and Babelgum’s professionally produced content and mobile technology both companies are ensured maximum visibility.” This initiative was developed by the Babelgum management team with the support of Massimo Armanini of Babelgum’s Board.

About Metacafe – Entertainment That Connects

Metacafe® is the leading independent online video site.  We connect consumers with the entertainment content they love and brand advertisers with the consumers they serve.  The company is teaming with content creators including top movie studios, music labels, professional sports leagues, television networks, video game publishers and best-of-the-web production firms to deliver an exceptional entertainment experience to its more than 46 million unique monthly viewers, more than 11 million of them in the U.S.1.  The privately held company is headquartered in Palo Alto, CA, and has offices in New York City, Los Angeles, London and Tel Aviv. For more information – and millions of entertaining videos – visit www.metacafe.com.

About Babelgum

An integrated mobile and Web content platform, Babelgum combines the full-screen video quality of traditional television with the interactive capabilities of the Internet and offers innovative professionally produced programming on-demand to a global audience. Babelgum recently launched an original mobile application in the United States, UK and Italy, that brings regionally tailored programming to smart phones – at present iPhone 3G, iPod Touch, Nokia (N96, N95 and 6210) – via 3G and WiFi. Babelgum’s editorial focus is on music, comedy, film, urban culture, nature and the environment. The company has set up two online contests to nurture independent film and music talent: the Babelgum Online Film Festival, chaired by Spike Lee (now in its second year) and the Babelgum Music Video Awards, judged by acclaimed director Michel Gondry. Babelgum also launched a Digital Studio initiative producing new, exclusive and original content. Two productions have already been completed, including Downstream, focusing on the controversy over the development of the oil sands of Alberta, Canada, and Extinction Sucks, a wildlife series on the subject of conservation and protection, with the active involvement of WWF. Babelgum’s content partners include, amongst others, EMI, Sony BMG, the Associated Press, PBS, BBC, VBS, Lonely Planet, National Geographic, T5M, Shine Limited, Cinetic Rights Management, Content Republic, Gong Anime, The Workbook Project, Cinelan, IMG, Power to the Pixel and Off the Fence, as well as the Encounters, Los Angeles, Rushes, From Here To Awesome and Renderyard Film festivals. Babelgum is an independent and privately held company with offices in the United States, UK, Ireland, France and Italy. www.babelgum.com

For further information contact:

Michelle Cox: michelle@metacafe.com / +1 415 823 7574

Andrea Giannotti: andrea.giannotti@babelgum.com / +44 7825 892 640

Ed James: ed@cornerstonepromotion.com / +1 212 652 9295


[1] comScore, August 2009

August 18, 2009

Metacafe Breaks Audience Record in July, Attracting More than 12 Million Unique Monthly Viewers

Filed under: Metacafe News, Metacafe Press, Metacafe Press Releases — The Metacafe Team @ 11:57 pm

Palo Alto, CA – August 19, 2009 – Metacafe enjoyed a record-breaking month in July, attracting more than 12 million unique U.S. viewers, as reported in the recently released comScore Media Metrix data.   This makes Metacafe the #2 video destination in the U.S.

“Our continued momentum underscores that consumers are reacting positively to our new home page and premium entertainment hubs,” said Jack Rotherham, senior vice president of strategic sales and partnerships for Metacafe.  “People are increasingly turning to online video for their entertainment, and our focus on key categories such as TV clips, movie trailers, music videos and sports highlights is bringing them to Metacafe.  We are thrilled with our month-over-month growth and are especially pleased that we can share this momentum with our advertising partners.”

During the month of July, Metacafe advertising partners included leading companies across industry verticals:  consumer packaged goods, food and beverage, quick-serve restaurants, entertainment, technology and government.

The expansion of the Metacafe U.S. audience during the month of July represents 67% year-over-year growth and a 10% increase over the month of June.


About Metacafe® – Entertainment That Connects

Metacafe® is the leading independent online video site.  We connect consumers with the entertainment content they love and brand advertisers with the consumers they serve.  The company is teaming with content creators including top movie studios, music labels, professional sports leagues, television networks, video game publishers and best-of-the-web production firms to deliver an exceptional entertainment experience to its more than 48  million unique monthly viewers, 12 million of them in the U.S. .  The privately held company is headquartered in Palo Alto, CA, and has offices in New York City, Los Angeles, London and Tel Aviv.  For more information – and millions of entertaining videos – visit www.metacafe.com.

Media Contact
Michelle Cox:  michelle@metacafe.com  / 415-823-7574

August 6, 2009

Metacafe Grows UK Content Partnerships, Teaming With Leaders in Film, Celebrity, Lifestyle and Sports

Filed under: Metacafe News, Metacafe Press, Metacafe Press Releases — The Metacafe Team @ 5:20 pm

Chello Zone, ITN On and Preview Networks Now Distributing Content on World’s Leading Independent Online Video Entertainment Site

London, UK – August 7, 2009 – Metacafe®, the world’s leading independent online video site, today announced three new content partnerships with leading premium providers in the UK:  Chello Zone, ITN On and Preview Networks.  This growing roster of content partners builds on Metacafe’s momentum in making online video a compelling entertainment alternative for viewers and brand advertisers alike, following the recent introduction of a new Metacafe home page and the company’s first three premium entertainment hubs.

“Today’s consumers expect choice in and control over their entertainment experiences,” said Tim Rottach, head of UK content for Metacafe.  “Metacafe delivers on this imperative better than any other video site out there, which is fueling our continued audience growth as well as our developing relationships with marquee content partners and brand advertisers.  It’s all about making it easy for people to find and discover great videos that suit their tastes, preferences and mood of the moment.”

To this end, Metacafe is actively teaming with premium content providers in key entertainment verticals, including:
•    Chello Zone – Metacafe is integrating short clips from Chello Zone’s Extreme Sports Channel, featuring skate, surf, snow and bike action, all complete with a whole lot of attitude. Additionally, horror content will be included to create a Zone Horror channel.
•    ITN On – Including entertainment and lifestyle content such as celebrity, film, video gaming and sports videos.
•    Preview Networks, owners of Filmtrailer.com – Providing local-language movie trailers on 10 channels (UK, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, France, Spain, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden and Finland) for all upcoming movies, including independent and major releases as well as clips, interviews, press footage and much more.

“Our business is built on partnering with strong brands who can distribute our content to new audiences globally,” said Nicholas Wheeler, managing director of ITN On.  “Metacafe has established itself as the leading independent outlet for entertainment video, and we believe our wealth of celebrity, film, sports and video gaming content will sit well with their users.”

About Metacafe® – Entertainment That Connects
Metacafe® is the world’s leading independent online video site.  We connect consumers with the entertainment content they love and brand advertisers with the consumers they serve.  The company is teaming with content creators including top movie studios, music labels, professional sports leagues, television networks and best-of-the-web production firms to deliver an exceptional entertainment experience to its more than 53 million unique monthly viewers, nearly 2.5 million of them in the UK.  The privately held company is headquartered in Palo Alto, CA, and has offices in New York City, Los Angeles, London and Tel Aviv.  For more information – and millions of entertaining videos – visit www.metacafe.com.

Media Contact
Michelle Cox:  michelle@metacafe.com  / +1 415-823-7574

August 5, 2009

Metacafe Accelerates Momentum With New Premium Entertainment Hubs, Driving the Evolution of Online Video Entertainment

Filed under: Metacafe News, Metacafe Press, Metacafe Press Releases — The Metacafe Team @ 5:12 am


Palo Alto, CA – August 5, 2009 –
Metacafe continues to solidify its position as the independent leader in online video entertainment, posting growth in both audience and revenue following the introduction of four new premium entertainment hubs, which are featured prominently on a recently designed home page.

“Our growth underscores the fact that online video entertainment is fast-becoming an important part of the marketing mix for brand advertisers tasked with reaching today’s multitasking, media-snacking consumers,” said Erick Hachenburg, CEO of Metacafe.  “This is a burgeoning medium distinct from both video-sharing and online TV.  The key in online video entertainment is to provide consumers the choice and control they demand and to connect marketers with the right people via the right content.”

Metacafe is working with some of the world’s most respected content providers and brand advertisers to drive the continued evolution of online video entertainment.  A key Q2 initiative was the introduction of four premium entertainment hubs:
•    TV Clips hub – featuring short videos from leading television networks and cable channels, which was sponsored at launch by Syfy
•    Movie Trailers hub, featuring HD – showcasing theatrical and Blu-ray/DVD releases from every major Hollywood studio, which was sponsored at launch by Universal Pictures
•    Music Videos hub – featuring top artists and up-and-coming acts in Pop, Rock, R&B, Hip Hop, Country and Latin
•    Sports Highlights hub – featuring non-stop action from the NBA, Fox Sports and Fuel TV

Additionally, Metacafe has recently launched several branded entertainment channels and video-based microsites for advertisers, including:
•    Big Block Thursday, promoting three new shows from Speed TV
•    Funny People, featuring a comedy video contest in which one winner will receive a weekend for two in Los Angeles, promoting the Universal Pictures movie now in theaters
•    Metaspace, featuring a collection of science and technology content, sponsored by the U.S. Air Force
•    Warehouse 13, promoting this new Syfy series

“Tightly integrating brands into the entertainment experience is proving very effective – for advertisers and viewers alike,” said Jack Rotherham, SVP of strategic sales and partnerships for Metacafe.  “Our audience grew 10 percent in June, and our quarterly brand advertising revenue was up 25 percent.  This positive reaction to our new home page and premium entertainment hubs has solidified Metacafe’s leadership position, and we will accelerate the momentum over the second half of the year.”

About Metacafe® – Entertainment That Connects
Metacafe® is the leading independent online video site.  We connect consumers with the entertainment content they love and brand advertisers with the consumers they serve.  The company is teaming with content creators including top movie studios, music labels, professional sports leagues, television networks, video game publishers and best-of-the-web production firms to deliver an exceptional entertainment experience to its more than 48 million unique monthly viewers, nearly 11 million of them in the U.S. .  The privately held company is headquartered in Palo Alto, CA, and has offices in New York City, Los Angeles, London and Tel Aviv.  For more information – and millions of entertaining videos – visit www.metacafe.com.

Media Contact
Michelle Cox:  michelle@metacafe.com  / 415-823-7574

July 7, 2009

Short Professional Online Video Clips Rival Television For Entertainment Value

Filed under: Metacafe News, Metacafe Press, Metacafe Press Releases — The Metacafe Team @ 4:03 am

Frank N. Magid Associates Study, Sponsored By Metacafe, Reveals That Short-Form Content Dominates The Most Popular Forms Of Online Video

Palo Alto, CA – July 7, 2009 – Frank N. Magid Associates, the world leader in research-based consultation, and Metacafe®, the leading independent online video site, today released survey results revealing consumer behavior and preferences in online video viewing.

Notably, the survey found that short professional videos are among those most regularly watched online, and well over one-third of consumers (37%) who watch these clips online find them equally or more entertaining than full-length TV shows on their television set.

“There’s no doubt that online video viewership has reached critical mass, and its growing popularity indicates that online video is fast becoming an entertainment genre in its own right,” said Mike Vorhaus, president of Magid Advisors.  “Short professionally created videos dominate online viewing, especially among younger consumers, which underscores the need for brand advertisers to expand their marketing efforts beyond both traditional television and online TV.”

“Today’s consumers expect choice in and demand control over their entertainment experiences,” said Erick Hachenburg, CEO of Metacafe.  “The answer is not video sharing.  Nor is it online TV.  The answer is a choice of quality content that consumers find appealing.  Many consumers clearly find short high-quality online video equal or superior to TV programming.  Metacafe is delivering on these imperatives better than anyone else, and meeting the needs of consumers, content creators and brand advertisers alike.”

The nationally representative study conducted by Frank N. Magid Associates surveyed nearly 2,000 people between the ages of 12 and 64, with gender, age and ethnicity matching that of the U.S. Census.

Key findings include:
•    Eight of the top-ten most watched types of online video are short-form, including:
1.    Videos shot and uploaded by consumers, with 43% of respondents watching regularly
2.    News stories (32%)
3.    Music videos (31%)
4.    Movie previews (29%)
5.    Comedy/jokes/bloopers (26%)
For the full list, please download the complete summary of survey findings at www.magid.com/metacafe.pdf.
•    Many people of all ages and both genders are watching short professional videos online – ranging from males 25-34, where 64% of this group is watching such content, to females 55-64, where this content is least popular.  Nonetheless, 39% of the older female group is also watching short professional video online.
•    37% of consumers who watch short professional videos online find them equally or more entertaining than full-length TV shows on a television set.
•    43% of all Internet users watch online videos weekly.
­    70% of males 18-24 watch weekly, including the 25% who watch daily.
­    56% of females 12-17 watch weekly, including the 13% who watch daily.
­    30% of all 55-64 year olds watch online videos weekly.
•    Weekly online video viewers are heavy traditional and new media consumers.
­    70% of weekly online video viewers play video games regularly, compared to 47% of non-online video viewers.
­    41% of weekly online video viewers own a personal digital media player for music and video, compared to 23% of non-online video viewers.
­    28% of weekly online video viewers rent DVDs weekly, compared to 17% of non-online video viewers.
­    11% of weekly online video viewers own a smartphone, compared to 7% of non-online video viewers.
•    34% of TV viewers also use their computer at least half the time while watching TV.
•    20% of all online videos viewers report that they watch less TV as a direct result of using online video

This research is part of the Magid Media FuturesTM Practice, which surveys consumers annually to identify trends and help clients implement product and marketing strategies that address them.  The online video portion of the 2009 study was sponsored by Metacafe.    A complete summary of the online video portion of the Magid Media Futures™ 2009 is available for download at www.magid.com/metacafe.pdf.  The study was conducted the last week in April, 2009.

About Metacafe® – Entertainment That Connects
Metacafe® is the leading independent online video site.  We connect consumers with the entertainment content they love and brand advertisers with the consumers they serve.  The company is teaming with content creators including top movie studios, music labels, professional sports leagues, television networks, video game publishers and best-of-the-web production firms to deliver an exceptional entertainment experience to its more than 53 million unique monthly viewers, more than 11 million of them in the U.S. .  The privately held company is headquartered in Palo Alto, CA, and has offices in New York City, Los Angeles, London and Tel Aviv.  For more information – and millions of entertaining videos – visit www.metacafe.com.

About Frank N. Magid Associates
Frank N. Magid Associates, the world leader in research-based consultation, applies the most rigorous research methods available to study behaviors, attitudes and intentions of your audience. Our knowledge base is substantive, encompassing thousands of research studies and consultation engagements. Founded in 1957, Frank N. Magid Associates has provided strategic insight and direction for clients in 37 countries around the world. We have developed an international reputation for excellence that spans multiple industries.  Our 350 experienced professionals and operations staff serve clients around the world from offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, and Marion, Iowa. More information is available at www.magid.com.

Media Contact
Michelle Cox:  michelle@metacafe.com  / 415-823-7574

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