Sony Pictures Television Minisodes, four to six minute versions of classic TV shows, launched this summer on MySpace with advertising from Honda. On Monday, the Minisodes began playing on Crackle, a Sony website that started this summer that plays a variety of entertainment content, with advertising from Pepsi.
“Phase one launched this summer with an exclusive distribution partner and advertiser,” said Amy Carney, president of ad sales at Sony Pictures Television. “Phase two is a broader distribution with additional advertisers.” Pepsi is the exclusive sponsor on Crackle. Honda will continue to sponsor the programming on two other new distribution platforms, AOL and Joost, Carney said. The shows will also play without advertising on V Cast, Verizon Wireless’s mobile video service.
Pepsi is running a 15 second spot on Crackle that was created by Sony Pictures Television. The spot features a retro bottle cap and can that supports Pepsi’s campaign that will feature new retro packages in stores beginning Nov. 4. The retro can is the latest installment in an initiative that began in February that updates Pepsi’s packaging graphics. A unique URL found on the can links directly to the Minisode network on Crackle.
“It is meant to transport the consumer back in time,” said Michelle Naughton, a Pepsi spokesperson. “When these shows originally aired, our consumers could watch them while drinking a Pepsi. Today, they’re able to do the same. The Minisode Network is a great partner. The combination of our can with this site provides a full nostalgic experience.”
Crackle is the site that was formerly www.Grouper.com, which was purchased by Sony Pictures last year.
Josh Felser, president of Crackle, said the site is currently running Minisodes for six shows as one of the channels on the site, which is clickable on the home page. There are 18 shows in the Minisode network and he said more will be added on Crackle later.
The site plays ads after three videos have been viewed, so the Pepsi ad won’t play as a pre-roll, unless viewers have seen three other Crackle videos before playing a Minisode.
Crackle will promote the Minisodes on its home page and in newsletters to its regular viewers. The content will also play on syndicated partner sites, including Hi5.com and Piczo.com. It also plays on Sony BRAVIA TVs.
When asked how long the Minisodes will play, Felser said, “It depends how they do. It’s programming that needs to be profitable. We’ll run it as long as users are excited.” It was a big success on MySpace, with over three million views.
Viola Davis and Ted Danson Celebrated For Career Achievements At Golden Globes Event
Viola Davis' journey to becoming one of Hollywood's most revered actors was driven by a straightforward mantra: Embrace every role, using each as a paycheck and a chance to explore new characters while honing her skills.
Davis delivered a moving, 16-minute speech while accepting the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Gala: An Evening of Excellence on Friday night. She reflected on how her turbulent upbringing fueled her passion for acting as an escape and how financial necessity often influenced her choice of roles.
"If I waited for a role that was written for me, well crafted, then I wouldn't be standing up here," said Davis, who along with Ted Danson, recipient of the Carol Burnett Award, were celebrated for their career achievements in film and television during a star-studded, black-tie gala dinner in Beverly Hills, California, just two nights before the 82nd annual Golden Globes on Sunday.
Some of the popular names in attendance included Carol Burnett, Jane Fonda, Anthony Anderson, Steve Guttenberg and singer-songwriter Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. It's the first time the Globes hosted a separate event dedicated to both awards.
Davis said she couldn't afford to wait for the perfect role, especially as a "dark-skinned Black woman with a wide nose and big lips."
"So I took it for the money," said Davis, who won praise for a string of compelling characters in films such as "Fences,""The Woman King," "The Help" and "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" while captivating TV audiences through the legal thriller drama "How to Get Away with Murder."
"I don't believe that poverty is really the answer to craft," she said. "I don't think there's any nobility in poverty."
Meryl Streep presented the award to Davis, who... Read More