SAUSALITO, Calif., Nov. 16 / -- Crackle, a Sony Pictures Entertainment Company, today announced the first major round of advertising partnerships developed and signed since its mid-July launch. By combining its unique player, global reach and focus on premium content, Crackle has attracted such major brands as Pepsi, Honda, Epson, Sony Electronics, Vodafone and others to the site.

In addition to its unique programmed content and global syndication network, Crackle also offers advertisers sponsorships of channels and contests, full screen skins, and media rich 300 x 250 video banners that can be instantaneously distributed across the network to get in front of the most relevant audiences around the world.

"We started by bringing the best available content to Crackle and now some of the biggest and best advertisers are lining up," said Mike Sitrin, Vice President of Partnerships at Crackle. "And by continuing to combine global advertising opportunities with the assurance that advertisers' brands will be showcased alongside editorially chosen video content, we're confident the big names will keep on coming."

Global Ad Network

With the best vetted online content as the main draw, Crackle is expanding advertisers' global reach, and providing the opportunity to pair video content originating in the U.S. with relevant and attractive advertising for international audiences.

    --  Crackle has created a global ad network to monetize international
        impressions, and enable international advertisers to reach their
        viewers, in their language, with relevant, localized advertising.
        --  The capability to easily deploy ads across the global viral
            syndication network is the result of Crackle's
            custom-built player -- a player that provides an easy user
            experience and delivers media rich ads to millions of viewers in
            targeted markets within short time frames, making it attractive to
            a variety of advertisers.
    --  Crackle is working with agencies and advertising networks such as 24/7
        Real Media, Adconion and Ozone Media, who sell across international
        markets including Europe, Australia, India and Canada.
    --  With growing video penetration and the demand for U.S. content in
        populated territories like India and Mexico, Crackle is well
        established to be among the first to market with local advertising.

"There is demand in international markets for U.S. video content; however, with current video penetration levels abroad, there are limited opportunities for local advertisers to be cutting edge with online video advertising," said Travis Howe, Senior Vice President, Digital Sales at Sony Pictures Television. "At Sony, we are constantly looking for new audiences and new opportunities for our advertisers. Crackle offers opportunities to uniquely integrate international brands with content -- all thru Crackle's new global syndication."

"We are delighted to have been appointed by Crackle in the European and Australian markets," said Mike James, MD of Adconion UK Ltd. "Video is currently undergoing huge growth and we are proud to represent what is tipped to become a key player in this space."

US Advertisers

A slew of major national advertisers have joined Crackle's entertainment network, finding unique opportunities to join their brand with videos and channels that are germane to target consumers.

    --  Pepsi -- Taking its global restyle initiative to the new Minisode
        Network channel on Crackle, Pepsi branding appears on the channel's
        homepage along with custom video ads and rich media banner ads that
        run across the site.  In addition, over the next few weeks, Pepsi's
        packaging is sporting a "retro" look, featuring a variety of Pepsi
        logos from the past 100 years.  Each Pepsi can features the Web site
        http://www.throwbackapepsi.com, which directs consumers to Crackle's
        Minisode Network channel, where they can enjoy classic TV programs in
        an all new way.
    --  Honda Fit -- As the lead sponsor of the Shorts Channel, which airs
        cutting edge short films, Honda Fit will be integrated into the look
        and feel of the channel through a full screen skin, and throughout
        video play lists from top new filmmakers. This relationship signifies
        the marriage of appropriate content with the appropriate brand
        combining Honda Fit's compact humorous attitude with Shorts' compact
        whimsical films.
    --  Sony Electronics/HDNA -- Proving that they can target and link
        advertising opportunities to content, Crackle is enabling Sony
        Electronics and its HDNA marketing campaign to put branded
        'watermarks' on selected Crackle HD content. This fully integrated
        marketing campaign, which already includes Blu-Ray, Sony Handycam
        camcorders and BRAVIA TVs, will now stretch across Crackle's highest
        quality videos.  The hugely popular Mr. Deity series, which has
        garnered over 6 million views, is one example of the type of video
        shot and encoded in higher quality and viewed in higher bit content
        that will bear the HDNA stamp.  Additionally, HDNA will have a landing
        page on Crackle that will serve as the central portal for all things
        HD.
    --  Epson will be running a campaign across Crackle on various channels.
        The campaign includes both video and banner ads that live next to
        Crackle's cutting edge content.

"To set Honda apart from the competition, all advertising for the Fit embodies the vehicle's personality-city-smart, quirky and vibrant. The high- impact Crackle.com Shorts Channel is the perfect opportunity for the Fit to engage eclectic individuals," said Jenny Howell, Manager of Interactive Marketing, American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

Crackle, Inc.

Crackle, Inc., a Sony Pictures Entertainment Company, is a multi-platform video entertainment network and studio that distributes work from the hottest emerging talent on the web and beyond. Crackle's addictive channels and shows reach a global audience across the Internet, in the living room, and on devices including a broad range of Sony electronics. Crackle, in on-going collaboration with Sony Pictures Entertainment and other leading partners, discovers and promotes the stars of tomorrow. Visit Crackle's site at http://www.crackle.com


SOURCE Crackle, Inc.

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