Mumbai: MySpace in collaboration with Warner Music Entertainment (WME) have launched MySpace Comedy UK (www.myspace.com/comedyuk), a new entertainment channel that empowers users to discover and connect with the best in established and new comedic talent.
The MySpace Comedy channel will host Comedybox.tv, an online comedy platform developed by WME. MySpace will host the overall site and retain advertising control, with WME overseeing the channel’s dedicated video content and managing the site’s direct-to-consumer store via uk.myspace.com/comedybox.
MySpace UK has also collaborated with Trident to launch the ‘MySpace Trident Comedy Awards’. From now until the end of September, comedians are invited to submit short video clips, which best demonstrate their skills. An expert panel will select 15 semi-finalists from which the MySpace community will vote for their top six. These finalists will then perform live at a national awards ceremony on 27th November, before the ultimate winner is announced.
MySpace UK marketing and content director Dom Cook said, "MySpace Comedy is another example of how MySpace continues to innovate and break new ground on the social web.
"Thousands of comedians are already using MySpace to connect with fans and now, for the first time through the incredible Comedybox.tv portfolio, users will be able to discover all this talent from one place. With the MySpace Trident Comedy Awards we also enable an incredible platform for new acts to breakthrough and established acts to build their fan base by harnessing the power of the MySpace community."
Warner Music Entertainment president Conrad Withey said, "This partnership provides MySpace UK with a first-class comedy channel, whilst connecting the site’s community of comedians with millions of potential fans and building a powerful A&R tool for WME to spot and sign new talent. Working hand in hand with MySpace UK, we aim to take Comedybox to new heights of creative and commercial success."
Comedybox will continue to sign comedians discovered through their video postings on the online channel. The imprint currently encompasses audiovisual comedy releases, TV production, live tours, and a mobile version of the Comedybox site.
Trident’s Tony Bilsborough said, "Since its launch last year, the Trident brand has been all about pleasure which is why we’re delighted to be linking up with an award that will deliver just that."
Other features on MySpace Comedy include a directory of the top 100 comedians, featured comedian, daily blogs and ‘videos off the telly’, which showcases the funniest television clips from MySpaceTV.
The deal between MySpace and Trident was brokered by Starcom Mediavest Group.
