REDMOND, Wash. — Oct. 12, 2005 — The irreverent minds behind JibJab Media Inc., whose animated short films parodying the U.S. political scene and current events have grown wildly popular among millions of viewers on the Web, are launching their latest release Oct. 13, 2005, at 9 p.m. PDT on MSN® Video and JibJab.com, following a world premiere on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” As part of an exclusive content relationship between MSN and JibJab, JibJab’s next five new animated shorts will air on both MSN Video and JibJab.com.
In addition to the distribution relationship, MSN and JibJab are collaborating to provide additional opportunities for MSN advertisers to integrate their brands and products directly into future JibJab shorts. As an online advertising industry first, MSN and JibJab will work together to identify product placement opportunities in future JibJab short films, offering a unique branding opportunity for advertisers to reach JibJab fans in an entertaining and relevant way. MSN will sell traditional TV advertising units next to the JibJab films on both MSN and JibJab in the first such ad relationship where MSN will sell advertising on a site outside the MSN network.
Viewers in the United States can enjoy JibJab’s new film “Big Box Mart,” which pokes fun at the traits of megasized retail store chains, on demand from http://msnvideo.com and http://www.jibjab.com. JibJab’s films’ runaway popularity among Internet audiences has largely been fueled by viewers sharing Web links to JibJab video clips with others via e-mail in a viral manner.
“JibJab is rightly recognized as the leader of viral animation videos; its hip irreverence and equal-opportunity parody is a great match for MSN Video, which provides people with 41 channels of the video news, music and entertainment they want to watch, when they want to watch it,” said Todd Herman, director of advertising and business strategy for video, movies and TV at MSN. “We are excited to make history with JibJab as we offer brand marketers the first-ever product integration opportunity in a viral video.”
MSN also has secured the rights to show past films from the JibJab archives, including the classic 2004 shorts “This Land” and “Second Term,” which parodied the presidential race between George W. Bush and John Kerry. “This Land” features photo collages of Bush and Kerry hyping their campaigns and trading insults to the tune of Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land,” with the refrain of “This land will surely vote for me!” In “Second Term,” JibJab founders Gregg and Evan Spiridellis turn the folk tune “She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Mountain” into a celebratory ditty for the cartoon Bush to croon about his re-election.
“MSN has proven technology infrastructure, outstanding advertiser relationships and a track record of producing innovative online entertainment like ‘Rock Star: INXS,’” said Gregg Spiridellis, co-founder of JibJab. “Their broad reach will help JibJab reach new audiences, and we’re thrilled to be in business with them.”
About JibJab Media
JibJab Media is a creative studio founded by brothers Gregg and Evan Spiridellis in Brooklyn, NY in 1999. Since then they have built a worldwide following for their quirky and irreverent brand of humor. The studio’s political parodies “This Land” and “Good to be in DC!” were seen over 80 million times during the past election, turning JibJab into an overnight household brand. Peter Jennings named Gregg and Evan “People of the Year” in 2004. They still can’t believe it.
About MSN
MSN attracts more than 420 million unique users worldwide per month. With localized versions available globally in 41 markets and 21 languages, MSN is a world leader in delivering Web services to consumers and online advertising opportunities to businesses worldwide. The most useful and innovative online service today, MSN brings consumers everything they need from the Web to make the most of their time online. MSN is located on the Web at http://www.msn.com. MSN worldwide sites are located at http://www.msn.com/worldwide.ashx.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
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