On the heels of its creation of intelesource.org (see separate story, p. 7), publicly traded, Minneapolis-headquartered iNTELEFILM has entered into a content provider relationship with Hitplay Media, Los Angeles, for the delivery of short-form video content and the production of Internet video commercials on the Hitplay Targeted Video Network. Per the arrangement, the roster of directors and animators within the iNTELEFILM family of companies (i.e. bicoastal Curious Pictures, bicoastal/international The End and Chelsea Pictures, New York-based Populuxe Pictures) will develop, produce and deliver original and archival entertainment video to Hitplay, and will produce spots for broadband Internet applications.
"This new partnership demonstrates the direct application of iNTELEFILM’s core competency—the production of short-form video—to new Internet video delivery platforms," said iNTELEFILM COO Jim Gilbertson.
Hitplay plans to launch its syndicated Internet video network first on Hitplay.com in early 2000. For its large-scale video clip library, Hitplay produces, acquires and distributes video content such as extreme sports, music, entertainment and fashion. Hitplay also has patent-pending technology for dynamic insertion of targeted video advertising.
Hitplay president/CEO Todd Harris claimed that his company’s on-demand content network and targeted ad insertion delivered across a range of Internet devices offers the rich media benefits of both direct response and brand-building advertising. He described iNTELEFILM as being a "commercial production leader. … Hitplay can tap iNTELEFILM’s impressive creative talents and content libraries for our on-demand channels. Together, we will offer advertisers and agencies new broadband commercial strategies for delivery over our Targeted Video Network."
Hitplay was formed last year by Harris, a former broadband strategist for NBC and general manager of NBC’s VideoSeeker.com Web site.
Endeavor Group Sells Professional Bull Riders, On Location and IMG To Parent of WWE and UFC
The parent company of WWE and UFC is buying Professional Bull Riders, On Location, and IMG from Endeavor Group in an all-stock deal valued at $3.25 billion.
The deal is part of Endeavor's efforts to shed some of its assets as it looks to be taken private in a proposed transaction with private equity firm Silver Lake, which was announced in April. Ariel Emanuel, who serves as CEO of Endeavor, is also executive chair and CEO of TKO.
Professional Bull Riders is a bull riding league that has more than 200 annual live events, approximately 1.25 million fans, and reaches more than 285 million households in more than 65 territories. On Location is live event company for more than 1,200 sporting events, such as the Super Bowl, Ryder Cup and NCAA Final Four. IMG is a distributor and producer of sports content, packages and sells media rights and brand partnerships, and provides consulting, digital services and event management to clients such as the National Football League and National Hockey League.
Parent company TKO Group said Thursday that the acquisition from Endeavor Group will complement its existing businesses as well as broaden its reach in the premium sports market.
"PBR, On Location, and IMG are industry-leading assets that meaningfully enhance TKO's portfolio and strengthen our position in premium sports globally," TKO Chief Operating Officer Mark Shapiro said in a statement. "Within TKO, they will help power the growth of our revenue streams and position us to capture even more upside from some of the most attractive parts of our sports ecosystem: media rights, live events, ticket sales, premium experiences, brand partnerships, and site fees."
As part of the deal, Endeavor will receive about 26.14 million common units of TKO... Read More