SoundHound‘s Mark Vitelli is audio engineer by day, and writer, co-creator and animated character by night. Nite Fite to be exact. His foray into online web series development has been cemented with a corporate sponsorship and involvement with agency DIGITAS, not bad for a maiden voyage into the world of branded online entertainment. This new trend is bringing us some highly popular series, like Vitelli’s Nite Fite, a new venture from Next New Networks and Starburst, a client of DIGITAS.
Nite Fite began as an episode of animator Dan Meth’s series for Channel Frederator, ‘The Meth Minute,’ and has been reborn as a full-blown weekly series. Two dorky and combative radio hosts, Penalty and Lloyd (voiced by Meth, pictured left, and Mark Vitelli on the right), take calls on hot button topics such as politics and the Bermuda Triangle.
As the series kicks off with a discussion of selling out (triggered by Penalty’s dismay at The Who’s contribution to CSI: Miami), Lloyd reveals that he’s arranged for Nite Fite to be sponsored by Starburst. Penalty objects and debate ensues. So, it’s a fictional show within a real show, sponsored by the product that sponsors the real show. A clever solution to incorporate branding into the series, and have it work seamlessly.
Mark has been able to maximize his skills and the resources at SoundHound to create all the audio elements for the show. The launch of Nite Fite puts Mark and his team on the forefront of providing sponsored internet content for the expanding web series landscape, something SoundHound is poised to help grow.
About SoundHound:
SoundHound specializes in audio post, sound design, original music composition, radio production and video editorial (via new division, thePound) – in standard and high definition. Known for comfortable surroundings and state-of-the-art technology, SoundHound/thePound is made up of award-winning creative engineers, sound designers and editors who work closely with clients on a wide range of projects. Clients include AETN, Comedy Central, DIGITAS, Discovery, Element Productions, History Channel, Saatchi and Saatchi, Sci Fi Channel, Spike TV, Spotco, Sundance, TV Land and USA Network, to name a few. For further information visit: www.SoundHound.com.
