Throughout the day leading up to the President’s address about the BP oil spill, the White House social media team prepped The White House YouTube channel and Web site by integrating Google’s Google Moderator product to create a forum for the public to ask questions about the disaster, which would be answered by Gibbs. Wow!

Though I only found out about this historic Q&A a few minutes before the President’s address via the White House web site, I quickly logged into Google Moderator below the live stream window to add my questions before the Q&A with Gibbs began.  Viewers who logged into Moderator were able to submit and vote for questions they liked the most (popular ranking), which helped determine which questions would be answered by Gibbs.

Results
The metrics were impressive! The number of votes, questions submitted and people logged on mostly doubled from the time the live Q&A started to when it was finished. Video-based questions were also shown and answered as well. Within 30 minutes the vote count went from 67k to 172k, the number of questions moved up from 3,350 to 6,342 and the number of people logged in jumped from 7,385 to over 13k. (These metrics were publicly visible.) And though these are low numbers considering that there are over 300 million Americans, it demonstrates the American people’s interest in feeling a more direct connection with what is going on in Washington in an unprecedented way – beyond voting. I suspect that better promotion about this opportunity would have attracted a larger audience.

Lessons For Business
Though press conferences continue to be an important way for businesses to communicate their messages to a wide audience, the value of communicating directly with your customers/community members through a live stream presentation and Q&A is important as well. Give your community members access directly to your spokespeople and some of your executives. You can still screen the messages you want to answer, but you win valuable face-time with interested community members, regardless of whether or not you answer each person’s specific questions.

Placing media in between you and your audience is the old way of thinking about media. Embrace your community directly! Give them the same access and attention you would give to media – but in a more conversational and informal tone. Leverage live streaming and community engagement tools, from moderated forums to twitter live streams visible during the public session with a single hashtag to use whenever you do one of these events.

Adding a live stream communications strategy to your tool set may feel revolutionary at first, but I suspect it will be commonplace very soon. If the President of the Unites State’s spokesperson can do it, surely you can too, with far less at risk. Be a first mover among your competitors!

I Have a Web Series. Now What?
For many independent content creators, I’ve learned that the greatest challenge after securing funding (or self-financing), talent and a crew is to market the show for a successful launch and ongoing audience building.  Marketing is especially difficult with no budget, no friends with marketing skills, no prior successful Web series shows and show content that doesn’t fit neatly into a pre-existing entertainment genre (i.e., comedy, horror, gaming or tech geeks).  So how can independent show creators rise above these barricades to be discovered?

Compulsions Web Series
If you want to learn about Web series marketing challenges and how to surmount them, then you will enjoy this account of launching the Web series, Compulsions.  As the marketing lead for Compulsions, I can attest that they were formidable:

• No brand sponsors or advertising partners
• No Web TV Network Partner or distribution strategy
• No marketing budget
• No launch strategy
• No clear-cut genre
• Mediocre Web site
• No previous Web series credentials for the creator
• Eight episodes
• Needed to launch by December 2009 for Streamy Award qualification (Holiday Season)

Launch Strategy
It was October 2009, and we needed to address all of the above issues in tandem for a successful launch by December 31st. One advantage in Compulsions’ favor was creator Bernie Su’s natural gift as a promoter. He genuinely enjoys people and works in the world of online advertising to finance his artistic aspirations. So he had some knowledge of marketing and advertising. After a final push to find a sponsor or buyer, it was clear that we needed to move forward with the launch assuming no external marketing support. The clock was ticking.

Launch Checklist
Though we had a long checklist of marketing tasks, following are the core components that require the greatest amount of time and attention from content creators.

Web site: Compulsions’ site was missing key information about the show, cast, a blog, e-newsletter signup, and an overall consistent brand feel with creative that reflected the shows’ complex genre. We tackled all of these and also finalized messaging for the show to use consistently in all marketing outreach. We also finalized the show’s primary ad image for promotion and thumbnail use on Twitter, Facebook, etc.

Tip: Review Web series and TV/movie Web sites with marketing budgets for ideas. Observe how the site creative reflects the show’s vibe and target audience. Keep this in mind when creating yours.

Audience Building: Compulsions is described as a dramatic thriller, but also includes a sadism theme, violence, suspense, and mystery, among others. So how do we pro-actively piece together an audience leading up to the premiere and continue to build the audience during and after for an eight-part series? (After all, we know that the larger the audience, the better chance of a second season with funding and new opportunities for the Compulsions’ cast and crew.)  Being less knowledgeable about the show’s genre, I asked Bernie and his producers to create a list of movies, TV shows and current Web series that capture aspects of Compulsions’ themes for potential audience crossover interest. Once we had the list, we divided and conquered by going into these fan communities with complete transparency to let them know about a new Web series that’s premiering soon that we think they would like, based on their interest in that particular movie/TV show, and linked them to the new and improved Compulsions Web site to see the trailer and to sign up for a Premiere Alert that included dates, times, and link to view. This went on for a few weeks.

Tip: Get your Web site and marketing creative completed at least two months in advance so you have time to begin audience-building activities for the premiere.

The Trailer: No surprises that a fantastic trailer (not a teaser, which is shorter), is critical for building pre-launch buzz. The power of the trailer is critical and as we all know, a primary tool for audience-building before the premiere. It is also valuable for supporting media outreach efforts before the launch. Bernie created one trailer and one teaser. The trailer was successful at generating expectation, presenting a “feel” for the series and as a valuable tool for audience-building before the premiere. Next, a compelling teaser was created to generate excitement at the half-way point of the series for the final four episodes in order to keep the momentum alive and the audience intrigued. (This teaser was debuted at the private screening event – see below.) Of course, the more trailers or teasers the better, similar to the “scenes from next week’s show” strategy used on TV. Trailers and teasers require time and resources. If you only have resources for one, make a great trailer. Never treat it as an afterthought or a secondary piece of content.

Tip: Pretend that the trailer is your submission for an Emmy Award. Make it count. Make it fabulous.

Social Media – Blog, Facebook, Twitter: Accounts were set up for Compulsions using the final creative for brand consistency. A combination of premiere countdown tweets and proactively finding followers and fans, interwoven with the show’s Web site where Bernie was writing blogs about behind the scenes shooting, the genre, character profiles was just enough to whet the appetite of potential audience members. All were prompted to follow Compulsions on Facebook and Twitter as well. Combined, these touch points grew awareness, gave audience members a variety of options to engage and built a connection between them and the show before and after the premiere.

Tip: Consistently engage with fans, start conversations and monitor daily to answer any questions. Offer multiple social media channels.

Distribution Strategy: There are so many distribution options for content creators. As an untested content creator with a complex genre and no pre-existing sizeable fan base, I believed that it was important to premiere exclusively on an established Web TV network. And that’s what we were able to do with Dailymotion. We negotiated site-wide and e-newsletter promotion opportunities to reach their member base, as well as revenue sharing from any advertising.

Tip: Maximize all promotional opportunities available with the Web TV network you exclusively sign with. Networks are hungry for original quality programs, so you have leverage. Request a list of promotional options.

Windowing: Next we needed to decide, as it was almost December 1st, when to launch and when to run the episodes. After a number of brainstorms, and the holidays fast-approaching along with the Streamys qualification deadline, we decided to run all eight episodes over a two week period, Monday through Thursday.  Holiday distraction by the audience was a risk we opted not to take, and giving the audience a back-to-back experience for a suspense thriller Web series would be similar to a multi-part made for TV movie, so the concept was not unusual – just novel for a Web series. This strategy built audience numbers quickly.

Tip: Be aware of real world events, such as holidays, Super Bowl, etc. when picking your premiere date. Don’t risk getting drowned out or ignored by your core audience.

Media Strategy: A launch press release was written and distributed to key media with the show’s official messaging and a screenshot. The world of media that covers Web series is expanding, but not fast enough to the dismay of content creators and publicists. So also encourage new fans and friends to write up brief blog posts about the show and ask them to include a link to any media coverage you do receive. And be sure to add links to coverage on the News page on your Web site (or homepage). Unless you have a notable star, previous track record of success or a million fans, be realistic about media coverage. It’s most efficient to develop unique story angles for vertical outlets that tend to cover the show’s genre already.

Tip: Do not send a reporter an email that says, “Check out my show” with a link. That won’t work .Tell them what is special about your show and why they should watch it.

Preview Event (Optional): Bernie felt strongly about having a sneak-peak event for the LA-based Web TV community and was able to do it on a tight budget. So we created a program for the evening that previewed the first four episodes, immediately followed by a cast and crew panel interview by a Web TV industry reporter. We did this a week before the public premiere. This event successfully immersed the community into the show and emotionally connected them with the talent. It also left them hanging for the final four episodes. I’m certain that the event dramatically increased word-of-mouth marketing by attendees via Twitter and Facebook, which was invaluable for audience growth leading up to the public premiere.

Summary
There is so much more creative marketing, advertising and promotion than can be done to market a Web series when you have a budget.  This is by no means is a complete list. But if you’re broke, start with these building blocks. If you’re not getting traction, don’t give up.  Ask for advice from friends who have been through a successful Web series launch. Also remember, marketing must continue after the premiere, as there are millions of Web users who are waiting to discover your show. Marketing never ends – at least not for a Web series!

I selected both CNET and ReadWriteWeb for live blogging coverage and had them running side-by-side on my laptop. (Background: As a news and political junkie, I’m accustomed to using multiple sources of information at once  to track the latest live election night exit polls and vote counts across political Web sites, local and national news sites, radio live stream (NPR and local news stations via iTunes), and broadcast/cable on my TV. I turn my home into a virtual election night HQ.)

So now I was ready and excited to “watch” Facebook’s live “text only” news event via two quality tech news outlets, and I’m very happy that I did. What a difference in coverage style, information sharing, audience engagement and blogging platform! Both outlets provided a valuable service for their audiences, but approached it very differently.

Read Write Web
Reporter Frederic Lardinois offered a traditional straight forward, no commentary account of what was being said at the conference, from Facebook executive presentations to the media Q&A session afterwards. There was no interjection of personal opinion or insights on the privacy topic – simply an account of what was happening. It was a very clean reporting style focused on the event only. However, there was one humorous moment during the Q&A when a CBS reporter was tapped to ask a question via phone, resulting in the following post: “Q (CBS): (Dude doesn’t realize he is on the phone and talks to a colleague.)” Embarrassing for the CBS reporter, but still, I knew what was going on!

Additionally, RWW used GoogleWave as a live blogging platform experiment, something I hadn’t seen before. I liked the clean interface, but there was no audience engagement experience. In a post-event tweet exchange with Frederic, I asked about the interactive capabilities of GoogleWave during a live blogging session. He replied, “not this time. The wave is public, but we didn’t open it up for commenting to keep things organized. Next time we will have 2 waves.” So this first experiment didn’t include the interactive piece, but I look forward to what that experience will be like. The lack of community interaction detracted from RWW’s live blog coverage, but the style was clear and concise without interruptions and distractions by audience comments in the live blog stream.

CNET
Reporters Declan McCullagh and Caroline McCarthy collaborated from different geographic locations for CNET’s live blog coverage. The style was part commentary and opinion, part straight reporting plus curated audience engagement  during live blogging.  Both offered valuable context and background to the press conference, similar in style to what election night analysts would offer to help the audience make sense of the information being reported.

However, the tradeoff to that approach was some missed reporting of Zuckerberg’s statements during the press conference and no coverage of the media Q&A portion of the event, during which NY Times tech reporter Nick Bilton asked Zuckerberg: “Q (Nick Bilton, New York Times): What are your plans for the upcoming location service? Will this create another backlash? A (Zuckerberg): We will try not to create another backlash. The new privacy controls will affect the location sharing. (Zuckerberg is not ready to make any announcements regarding location.)” Well, that perked me up! (I made a mental note to stay tuned for a future Facebook live blog press conference.)  Other reporters from GigaOm, Wired, Mashable and Robert Scoble asked questions as well. I liked knowing what these tech outlets asked and how Zuckerberg responded.

CNET used a live blogging platform with a robust curation backend called Cover It Live. It offers a lot of bells and whistles, and has a free version (no ads), free ad-sponsored version, and an enterprise version with some revenue sharing opportunties. But the moderation process was a bit mysterious. It delayed showing audience comments (no real time) or prohibited them completely. For example, Declan posted that after Zuckerberg completed his statement that he received a flood of press releases from privacy advocacy groups, including the Progress & Freedom Foundation. I submitted a comment logged in with my twitter handle and shared that it was recently reported that Facebook made a contribution to this public policy organization, which is against regulating online privacy. I wanted to share this with my fellow audience members as an interesting factoid in real time, a la Ustream.tv (minus the video). Not only did my comment not show up (which made me realize it was being moderated), but when I went back to review for writing this article, the archived version of the live blog omitted this post. Thanks to Cover It Live’s editing features, editors can fix typos and even delete posts before submitting as a final archive. So now live blog coverage can offer a revisionist experience post-event. Not sure I like that approach for a news organization that I trust to stick by what it posts on the public record, but there are benefits for companies live blogging events for a clean final version.

Additionally, audience comments that were let through by the moderator appeared in the live blog stream (not in a separate window) and made the experience visually busy (they were in italics and different font colors), especially when both reporters began to engage the commenters while also reporting what was being said at the press conference.  This dialogue resulted in some news  information gaps.

Live Blogging Planning Tips
Whether you’re a news organization or a company having an event that you want your PR team to live blog, take time to think through the style of reporting and voice you want to use with your audience, the platform tools you want to have on the backend for content management, editing and archiving, and how much openess you want to offer your audience in terms of asking questions and sharing comments during the actual live blog coverage. If you’re going to curate comments in real time, indicate this clearly on the page to your viewers with a link to a section that explains your company’s parameters for what gets posted and what doesn’t. Don’t risk alienating your audience. If is is a pre-planned event (i.e., not a live news conference) review the event’s agenda in advance to pre-determine coverage emphasis or style shifts, such as straight reporting to lighter commentary. Treat it like a live TV broadcast. be sure to prepare ahead of time so you’re ready with background information and topic factoids to add color to the narrative and to answer any questions from the audience that you can anticipate. The audience expects you to be their trusted expert.

And if you’re a news and information power user, like I am, follow more than one outlet when watching a live blogging event so you don’t miss out on information and have a variety of participation options.

(Disclosure: I didn’t pre-plan this article. The dramatically different experiences I had inspired me to share this.)

Metranome Inc., a leading mobile media solutions company, and Bumper 2 Bumper Media and Peace Point Entertainment Group, top Canadian entertainment production companies, have announced the availability of Bump! TV’s first gay and lesbian mobile Travel Guides for BlackBerry and iPhone users. Bump!, a popular global TV series now in its fourth season, explores exciting gay-friendly travel destinations. The 12 Travel Guides available now include: Montreal, Miami, Berlin, Paris, Antwerp, Barcelona, Mykonos, Puerto Vallarta, Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro and Sydney, with more to come.

“Our mobile strategy is an important brand extension for Bump! that strategically leverages our TV content, creates a new revenue stream, and further showcases our unique travel expertise,” said Les Tomlin, President, Bumper 2 Bumper Media Inc. “Offering a variety of mobile Travel Guides is the smartest way for us to stay connected and interact with our audience. Now Bump! can conveniently be with them everywhere they go.”

“Entertainment production companies are quickly seeing the additional monetization potential that mobile apps can offer to their successful franchises,” said David Kruis, president & CEO, Metranome. “Mobile apps developed on Metranome’s platform offer extensive brand customization and a cost-effective way for independent production companies to enter the mobile marketplace, and even expand their show’s discovery, by having an app store presence.”

Bump! Travel Guide App Highlights
The Travel Guide apps include the latest listings, reviews, photographs and video clips of the most popular hotels, restaurants, attractions, clubs and more to help travelers quickly and effectively enjoy their holiday or business trip. Many listings feature photos and video clips as seen on Bump! Price: $2.99 (USD). Features include:

* GPS-enabled directory listings to easily get where you want to go
* One-click phone numbers and email addresses to instantly contact establishments
* Video clips from Bump! episodes
* Community comments and ratings
* Average temperatures and current exchange rates
* Once installed, network access isn’t necessary (except for updates)
* Free content updates included

About Metranome Inc.
Metranome, an award-winning mobile media solutions company, develops creative and engaging mobile experiences across all mobile platforms, including Android, BlackBerry, iPhone, and iPad. The company offers clients a variety of mobile application features, including video-on-demand, live streaming, subscriptions, and advertising supported services. Hollywood studios, global brands, nonprofits, political organizations and religious organizations have selected Metranome to create innovative applications. Metranome’s mobile app solutions include an easy-to-use Web-based Content Management system for ongoing content updates, built-in performance analytics, and efficient data delivery technology that reduces data download costs. Clients include The New Yorker, Dilbert, Gong, Peace Point Entertainment, Tricon Films, Streamy Awards and Tubefilter. For more information, visit www.metranome.net and follow us on Twitter: @metranome.

About Bumper 2 Bumper Media
Bumper 2 Bumper Media is an exclusive partnership between Pink Triangle Press (pinktrianglepress.com), a Toronto-based not-for-profit organization that has become one of the largest gay media companies in the world, and award-winning producer Peace Point Entertainment Group (peacepoint.tv). Bump! is Canada’s first gay and lesbian travel show and is now completing its fourth season in Canada on OUTtv (the world’s first gay television network) and in the United States on Logo. The series is hosted by OUT 100 honouree Charlie David and comedic actor and writer Shannon McDonough. For more information on the television series, log on to bumptv.com.

About Peace Point Entertainment Group Inc.
Peace Point is a Gemini award-winning media company that produces content for worldwide markets. Founded in Toronto, Canada in 2001 by President and CEO Les Tomlin, the company has grown to become one of Canada’s leading media companies. Since its inception, Peace Point has produced over 400 hours of content for major North American broadcasters including CTV, Canwest Global, Rogers Media, Discovery Communications and Viacom. The company’s can-do attitude, enthusiasm, creativity and professionalism coupled with its commitment to quality content and process has helped it build trusting and collaborative relationships with those in need of entertaining content. Well beyond its roots as a television producer, Peace Point’s content can now be viewed in over 50 countries worldwide on hundreds of broadcast and specialty television stations, websites, mobile devices and through various apps available on iTunes and BlackBerry App World. Peace Point also maintains a USA division, DIDtv (www.didtv.tv), in partnership with Toronto based Tricon Films and Television. For more information, visit www.peacepoint.tv.

Metranome Inc., a leading mobile media solutions company, and The Centre for International Governance (CIGI), an independent, nonpartisan think tank that addresses international governance challenges, has announced the availability of its first mobile application. Available as a free download for BlackBerry and iPhone users, the CIGI video app broadens access to CIGI’s extensive library of notable international discussions on pressing policy issues concerning international economic governance, health and social governance, global and human security, health and social governance, and international law, institutions and diplomacy.

“CIGI’s new mobile video app is a valuable way for us to communicate our international policy expertise and insight with a growing global audience of mobile device users,” said Joseph Fung, Director of IT & Collaboration Strategies.  “This new app is an important part of our ongoing efforts to provide timely and relevant insight to our audience and to maintain and program our content effectively.”

“Nonprofits with an international focus, such as CIGI, are recognizing that one of the most cost-effective ways of reaching a broader audience, and being discovered, is through a mobile application and an app store presence” said David Kruis, president & CEO, Metranome. “CIGI’s mobile video app communicates its international policy expertise in a visually compelling, fun and convenient way for all their global users.”

About Metranome Inc.
Metranome, an award-winning mobile media solutions company, develops creative and engaging mobile experiences across all mobile platforms, including Android, BlackBerry, iPhone, and iPad. The company offers clients a variety of mobile application features, including video-on-demand, live streaming, subscriptions, and advertising supported services. Hollywood studios, global brands, nonprofits, political organizations and religious organizations have selected Metranome to create innovative applications. Metranome’s mobile app solutions include an easy-to-use Web-based Content Management system for ongoing content updates, built-in performance analytics, and efficient data delivery technology that reduces data download costs. Clients include The New Yorker, Dilbert, Gong, Peace Point Entertainment, Tricon Films, Streamy Awards and Tubefilter. For more information, visit www.metranome.net and follow us on Twitter.

About CIGI
The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) is an independent, nonpartisan think tank that addresses international governance challenges. Led by a group of experienced practitioners and distinguished academics, CIGI supports research, forms networks, advances policy debate, builds capacity, and generates ideas for multilateral governance improvements. Conducting an active agenda of research, events and publications, CIGI’s interdisciplinary work includes collaboration with policy, business and academic communities around the world. CIGI was founded in 2002 by Jim Balsillie, co-CEO of RIM (Research In Motion), and collaborates with and gratefully acknowledges support from a number of strategic partners, in particular the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario. For more information, please visit www.cigionline.org.

Developed by Metranome, a Leading Mobile Media Partner to the Entertainment Industry, the Streamy Awards iPhone App Offers Free Video Clips of Nominated Web TV Shows and Live Streaming Capability to Watch the Ceremony on Sunday, April 11, 2010 at 5:30pm (Pacific)

The Streamy Awards, the first and most prestigious live awards show dedicated to honoring the actors, directors, editors, producers, writers, and production talent behind some of the best original programming on the Web, is excited to announce the availability of the first Streamy Awards iPhone App, developed by Metranome, the Official Mobile Apps Partner of the 2^nd Annual Streamy Awards. The free Streamy Awards App is now available for downloading from the iPhone App Store.

Features of the Streamy Award iPhone App, available for download in North America and internationally, include:

• Live Streaming Capability: On the go? Watch the awards show live from wherever you are
• Nominee Clips-on-the-Go: Can’t get enough of your favorite shows? Watch some selected clips
• Streamy Award Sponsors: Learn which companies support the Web TV community
• About: History of the Streamy Awards
• Winners: After the show is over you can see who the winners of the 2nd Annual Streamy Awards were

“We are excited to offer Web TV fans around the globe the ability to watch this year’s Streamy Awards Ceremony live on their iPhone,” said Jamison Tilsner, executive producer, Streamy Awards. “We partnered with Metranome based on their proven experience in developing creative, complex mobile applications for digital entertainment properties. We were also impressed with their easy-to-use Web-based content management system, which lets us update and control the content whenever we want.”

“Metranome is happy to be the Official Mobile Apps Partner for the 2^nd Annual Streamy Awards,” said David Kruis, president & CEO, Metranome. “Our experience supporting innovative apps for entertainment brands across all popular mobile platforms – including the iPhone, BlackBerry, Android and now the iPad – made the Streamy Awards the perfect partner for us.”

Watch Live Online!
Streamy Awards excitement kicks off with a live online Red Carpet Pre-Show starting at 4:00 p.m. (Pacific), broadcast exclusively on Ustream.tv and streamys.org.  The live online broadcast of the Streamy Awards Ceremony, hosted by actor, comedian Paul Scheer, begins at 5:30 p.m. (Pacific) on streamys.org, or download the Streamys iPhone App and watch for free.

About Metranome Inc.
Metranome, an award-winning mobile media company, helps global brands and content owners create and deliver engaging mobile experiences for their consumers. Metranome offers clients a variety of mobile application features, including downloadable and streaming media, content-on-demand, subscriptions, and advertising supported services. Individual content producers and Hollywood studios have selected Metranome to create innovative consumer applications that complement television programming, enable for digital distribution on mobile, and generate market awareness for new and existing content brands. Clients include The New Yorker, Dilbert, Gong, PeacePoint Entertainment, Tricon Films, Streamy Awards and Tubefilter. For more information, visit www.metranome.net and follow us on Twitter: @metranome.

About The Streamy Awards
The Streamy Awards, co-hosted by new media companies Tubefilter (www.tubefilter.tv) and NewTeeVee (www.newteevee.com), the Streamy Awards recognize excellence in global web television programming for broadband distribution across 35 creative categories, from acting and directing, to editing and special effects. Members of the International Academy of Web Television review shows submitted through a free, public submissions process and vote on the final nominees and winners for each category. The Audience Choice Award for Best Web Television Series is selected by members of the public. Winners of the 2nd Annual Streamy Awards will be announced at the Streamy Awards Ceremony on April 11, 2010 at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles. The Streamy Craft Award winners will be announced at a separate ceremony on April 7, 2010 at the Barnsdall Art Center in Hollywood. Founded in 2009, the Streamy Awards are produced by Tubefilter, Inc. (www.tubefilterinc.com). For more information, visit www.streamys.org, follow @streamyawards on Twitter and become a Fan at www.facebook.com/streamys.

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All trademarks and copyrights herein are the property of their respective owners.

Today, the International Academy of Web Television, an independent organization of digital entertainment leaders created to recognize excellence in original episodic Web television programming, announced that Chad Hurley, Co-Founder and CEO of YouTube, the world’s largest video destination, will be the inaugural recipient of the Streamy Visionary Award. The Streamy Visionary Award honors leaders and innovators who have made a significant contribution to the digital entertainment community.

“We are thrilled to recognize Chad Hurley, a true visionary in the worlds of online entertainment and technology, as the first recipient of the prestigious Streamy Visionary Award,” said Brady Brim-DeForest, executive producer of the Streamy Awards. “Chad’s contributions to online entertainment have paved the way for the birth of an entire industry. His vision has revolutionized the Web as an open video entertainment platform that continues to grow and inspire creative expression on a global scale.”

“I’m honored to be recognized with the Visionary Award,” said Chad Hurley, co-founder and CEO of YouTube. “Thanks to the YouTube community, the media platform we created has grown into a destination where billions of people connect and shape the world through video each day. Witnessing YouTube’s evolution has been inspiring and humbling.”

About Chad Hurley
In 2005, YouTube was pushed quickly from a simple idea to cultural phenomenon and, within 18 months from launch, was sold to Google for $1.76 billion. YouTube serves over a billion videos daily and has created a new market for discovering, sharing and distributing videos around the globe.

YouTube was awarded “Best Invention of the Year” by Time Magazine and was the first Web site to receive “Entertainer of the Year” by Entertainment Weekly. From heads of state and major Hollywood studios to local politicians and independent artists, YouTube is an open, democratic platform where anyone can come, connect and share entertainment and experiences. Hurley has received several prestigious honors and acknowledgements from the business and entertainment communities including: World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leader, Webby “Person of the Year,” Business 2.0’s 50 Most Influential People, GQ’s “Men of the Year,” Fortune’s “Most Powerful People in Business,” and Member of the MIT Media Lab/Media Arts and Sciences Visiting Committee.

Watch Live Online!
Streamy Awards excitement kicks off with a live online Red Carpet Pre-Show starting at 4:00 p.m. (Pacific), broadcast exclusively on Ustream.tv and streamys.org. The live online broadcast of the Streamy Awards Ceremony, hosted by actor, comedian Paul Scheer, begins at 5:30 p.m. (Pacific) on streamys.org.

About The Streamy Awards
The Streamy Awards, co-hosted by new media companies Tubefilter (www.tubefilter.tv) and NewTeeVee, the Streamy Awards recognize excellence in global web television programming for broadband distribution across 35 creative categories, from acting and directing, to editing and special effects. Members of the International Academy of Web Television review shows submitted through a free, public submissions process and vote on the final nominees and winners for each category. The Audience Choice Award for Best Web Television Series is selected by members of the public. Winners of the 2nd Annual Streamy Awards will be announced at the Streamy Awards Ceremony on April 11, 2010 at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles. The Streamy Craft Award winners will be announced at a separate ceremony on April 7, 2010 at the Barnsdall Art Center in Hollywood. Founded in 2009, the Streamy Awards are produced by Tubefilter, Inc. (www.tubefilterinc.com). For more information, visit www.streamys.org, follow @streamyawards on Twitter and become a Fan at www.facebook.com/streamys.

Check out the selection of schmoozy events, from Digital LA to New Media Vault, and don’t forget to watch the Streamy Awards LIVE online on Sunday, April 11 at www.streamys.org, starting with the Red Carpet Pre-Show at 4:00 p.m. (Pacific), and the awards ceremony at 5:30 p.m., being hosted by comedian and co-star of FX’s The League, Paul Scheer.

LOS ANGELES – April 1, 2010 — The Streamy Awards, presented by the International Academy of Web Television (www.iawtv.org) and co-hosted by Tubefilter (www.tubefilter.tv) and NewTeeVee (www.newteevee.com), has announced that actor and comedian Paul Scheer, star of MTV’s popular Human Giant comedy sketch series, co-star on FX’s The League and the mini-miniseries Designated Driver on HBO’s Funny or Die Presents, will host the 2^nd Annual Streamy Awards at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, April 11 starting at 5:30pm (Pacific). The Streamy Awards recognize excellence in global web television programming for broadband distribution across 35 creative categories, from acting and directing, to editing and special effects. This is an invitation-only event.

“The Streamy Awards’ global audience is going to enjoy tuning in to watch Paul Scheer make history as the first host of the ceremony,” said Brady Brim-DeForest, executive producer of the Streamy Awards. “Paul’s natural stand-up talent and personal success in Web TV make him a natural fit for the show and appealing to Web series fans who will tune in to see their favorite Web series stars.”

“Ever since I was a child I dreamed of hosting the Streamy Awards,” said Paul Sheer. “Oh, and by the way, when I was a child I had a time machine that let me see into the future.”

The Latest on Paul Scheer

Paul Scheer is best known for his work on the MTV sketch comedy series Human Giant, which he co-created and starred in with Aziz Ansari, Rob Huebel and director Jason Woliner.  He also stars in FX’s newest hit comedy, The League, which will return this Fall for its second season. This summer Paul can be seen in Dimension Films’ Piranha 3D opposite Elisabeth Shue and Jerry O’Connell and in Adult Swim’s newest live action comedy show, Children’s Hospital.  Currently his mini-miniseries, Designated Driver, with Rob Riggle, airs on HBO’s Funny or Die Presents.  This month, Paul will appear on Starz’s Party Down.  He also had memorable roles in TV and Film in such projects as 30 Rock, Bride Wars, Parks and Recreation, Reno 911, Year One, The Sarah Silverman Program, Yo Gabba Gabba and VH1’s Best Week Ever.  He performs weekly at the Upright Citizens Brigade in Los Angeles.  To learn more, visit the Official Paul Scheer Web site at http://paulscheer.com.

Watch Live Online!

Streamy Awards excitement kicks off with a live Red Carpet Pre-Show starting at 4 p.m. (Pacific), broadcast online exclusively on Ustream.tv and streamys.org.  The live online broadcast of the Streamy Awards Ceremony, hosted by Paul Scheer, begins at 5:30 p.m. (Pacific) exclusively on streamys.org.

Red Carpet Media Credentials

To cover the Red Carpet, please fill out and submit the Media Credentials Request Form via the Streamy Awards’ Web site at http://www.streamys.org/press/media-application/. (Please note: There is a limited amount of space available on the carpet. We will be unable to accommodate all requests.)

About The Streamy Awards

Presented by the International Academy of Web Television and co-hosted by new media companies Tubefilter (www.tubefilter.tv) and NewTeeVee (www.newteevee.com), Streamy Awards recognize excellence in global web television programming for broadband distribution across 35 creative categories, from acting and directing, to editing and special effects. Members of the International Academy of Web Television review shows submitted through a free, public submissions process and vote on the final nominees and winners for each category. The Audience Choice Award for Best Web Television Series is selected by members of the public. Winners of the 2nd Annual Streamy Awards will be announced at the Streamy Awards Ceremony on April 11, 2010 at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles. The Streamy Craft Award winners will be announced at a separate ceremony on April 7, 2010 at the Barnsdall Art Center in Hollywood. Founded in 2009, the Streamy Awards is produced by Tubefilter, Inc. (www.tubefilterinc.com). For more information, visit www.streamys.org, follow @streamyawards on Twitter and become a Fan at www.facebook.com/streamys.

About The International Academy of Web Television

The International Academy of Web Television, an independent member-run organization comprised of digital entertainment leaders was founded in 2009 to promote and recognize artistic excellence and technological innovation in online entertainment. Members of the Academy are invited to join based on achievement in their respective fields, and include actors, agents, composers, content developers, directors, journalists, producers, technologists, and writers who actively participate in and support the web television and digital entertainment industries. The Academy oversees the annual Streamy Awards, which honor and recognize excellence in original episodic web television programming. For more information, visit www.iawtv.org, follow @iawtv on Twitter and become a Fan at www.facebook.com/iawtv.

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All trademarks and copyrights herein are the property of their respective owners.

Starting today, Web television fans worldwide can go online to www.streamys.org to vote for their favorite series once a day up until moments before the winner is announced on the live online broadcast of the Streamy Awards Ceremony, being held at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, April 11 starting at 5:30 p.m. (Pacific). The show will be proceeded by a live Red Carpet pre-show starting at 4:00 p.m. (Pacific), broadcast exclusively on Ustream.

Will Star-ving starring David Faustino starve out the competition, or will The Guild outplay them all? Make your vote count and spread the word. Retweet @streamyawards on Twitter and become a fan at www.facebook.com/streamys.

Audience Choice Awards Finalists

The Streamy Awards Audience Choice Finalists for Best Web Television Series are:

• Agents of Cracked – http://www.cracked.com/video_18099_the-end-beginning.html

• Anyone But Me – http://www.anyonebutmeseries.com/

• Dorm Life: Semester 2  – http://www.dorm-life.com

• Elevator – http://www.youtube.com/user/ElevatorShow

• Noob – http://www.noob-tv.com

• Star-ving -http://crackle.com/c/Star-ving

• The Guild – http://www.watchtheguild.com

• Legend of Neil – http://effinfunny.com/legend-of-neil

• The Totally Rad Show  – http://revision3.com/trs

• The Young Turks – http://www.theyoungturks.com/

About The Streamy Awards

Presented by the International Academy of Web Television, the Streamy Awards recognize excellence in global web television programming for broadband distribution across 35 creative categories, from acting and directing, to editing and special effects. Members of the International Academy of Web Television review shows submitted through a free, public submissions process and vote on the final nominees and winners for each category. The Audience Choice Award for Best Web Television Series is selected by members of the public. Winners of the 2nd Annual Streamy Awards will be announced at the Streamy Awards Ceremony on April 11, 2010 at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles. The Streamy Craft Award winners will be announced at a separate ceremony on April 7, 2010 at the Barnsdall Art Center in Hollywood. Founded in 2009, the Streamy Awards are co-hosted by a consortium of new media companies including Tubefilter News (www.tubefilter.tv) and NewTeeVee (www.newteevee.com), and are produced by Tubefilter, Inc. (www.tubefilterinc.com). For more information, visit www.streamys.org, follow @streamyawards on Twitter and become a Fan at www.facebook.com/streamys.

About The International Academy of Web Television

The International Academy of Web Television, an independent member-run organization comprised of digital entertainment leaders was founded in 2009 to promote and recognize artistic excellence and technological innovation in online entertainment. Members of the Academy are invited to join based on achievement in their respective fields, and include actors, agents, composers, content developers, directors, journalists, producers, technologists, and writers who actively participate in and support the web television and digital entertainment industries. The Academy oversees the annual Streamy Awards, which honor and recognize excellence in original episodic web television programming. For more information, visit www.iawtv.org, follow @iawtv on Twitter and become a Fan at www.facebook.com/iawtv.

*All trademarks and copyrights herein are the property of their respective owners.