Friday, October 19, 2007

Pepsi Joins the Minisode Network on Crackle

CULVER CITY, Calif. -- Pepsi is taking its global restyle initiative to The Minisode Network, which is launching a channel on
Crackle.com on October 22. In November, Pepsi's packaging will sport a "retro" look, featuring a variety of Pepsi logos from the past 100 years. Each Pepsi can will feature the Web site http://www.throwbackapepsi.com, which will direct consumers to The Minisode Network channel on Crackle.com, where they can enjoy classic TV programs in an all new way.

"The Pepsi retro can serves as a passport to destinations and
experiences our consumers enjoy," said Russell Weiner, VP of marketing,
Pepsi. "That's why The Minisode Network is a great partner for this design
-- the combination of our can with this site provides a full nostalgic
experience. When these shows originally aired, our consumers could enjoy
watching them while drinking a Pepsi. Today, they're able to do the same in a contemporary way."

"Together, The Minisode Network and Crackle provide advertisers with
well-known, branded content in a rich and exciting environment," said Amy
Carney, president, advertiser sales for Sony Pictures Television, whose
digital ad sales group brokered the deal. "We can offer advertisers an
opportunity for their ads that is both Internet-friendly and familiar."

The Network will also be adding new programming, including "Bewitched,"
"I Dream of Jeanie" and "The Jeffersons," for a total of 18 channels, with
more on the way.

Pepsi branding will appear on the homepage of The Minisode Network
channel on Crackle.com. Sony Pictures Television worked with Pepsi to
create custom ads that will also run on the site, in addition to rich media
banner ads.

The Minisode Network, which features bite-sized versions of classic
television shows, is increasing its distribution with the addition of three
new partners.

-- AOL will showcase 15 channels of The Minisode Network through its free AOL Video portal (http://video.aol.com).
-- Joost, which opened publicly on Oct. 1, will distribute The Minisode
Network via its free, full-screen, online TV service. Joost will
launch The Minisode Network with shows from 15 series, and will add
more episodes every week.
-- Verizon Wireless will be the first mobile partner for The Minisode
Network. The channel will be available on Verizon Wireless V CAST
Video service in the TV and Film section, allowing subscribers with V
CAST Video-enabled phones to watch their favorite shows on the Network
while on the go.

Pepsi's global restyle initiative launched in February. While
Pepsi-Cola's look had changed only ten times in the last 109 years, the
restyle initiative updates Pepsi packaging graphics every few weeks to
reflect themes close to the hearts of teens and young adults, such as
sports, music, fashion and cars. Each Pepsi design is accompanied by a Web
address that gives consumers access to exclusive online content, games,
contests and sweepstakes. In addition to Sony Pictures Television, other
Pepsi packaging and promotions have featured partners like Pharrell
Williams, Big & Rich, The All-American Rejects and MTV. adidas, the
National Football League, Major League Baseball and NASCAR driver Jeff
Gordon have partnered with Pepsi on sports-themed packaging and programs.

Crackle's streaming entertainment network is home to a variety of
programmed channels featuring original productions, licensed content, and
submissions from tomorrow's rising stars. Since launching in July, Crackle
offers advertisers sponsorships of channels and contests, full screen
skins, and media rich 300 x 250 video banners that can be instantaneously
distributed across their viral syndication network to get in front of the
most relevant audiences around the world.

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 starts of tomorrow.
Visit Crackle's new site at http://www.crackle.com.

Sony Pictures Television is one of the television industry's leading
content providers. It produces and distributes programming in every genre,
including series, telefilms, theatrical releases and family entertainment
for network and cable television, as well as first-run and off-network
series for syndication. With more than 25 programs on the air, SPT boasts a
program slate that includes the top-rated daytime dramas and game shows,
landmark off-network series, original animated series and critically
acclaimed primetime dramas, comedies and telefilms. SPT also owns one-half
of cable channel GSN and is a partner in FEARnet, the premier
horror/thriller website and VOD service. Sony Pictures Television oversees
all of Sony Pictures Entertainment's (SPE) domestic digital distribution
efforts across all electronically delivered platforms, including the
internet and mobile. Sony Pictures Television, advertiser sales, is one of
the premiere national advertising sales companies, handling the commercial
inventory in SPT syndicated series as well as in all of SPE's digital
businesses in the United States, for Sony BMG and for iN DEMAND's
high-definition channel Mojo, and is part owner of national media sales
company ITN Networks, Inc. SPT (http://www.sonypicturestelevision.com) is a
Sony Pictures Entertainment company.

About Pepsi-Cola North America
Purchase, N.Y.-based Pepsi-Cola North America (http://www.pepsi.com) is
the refreshment beverage unit of PepsiCo, Inc., in the United States and
Canada. Its U.S. brands include Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Aquafina, Sierra Mist,
IZZE, SoBe, Mug, Tropicana Twister Soda, Tropicana Juice Drinks, Dole and
Ocean Spray single-serve juices. The company also makes and markets North
America's best-selling ready-to-drink iced teas and coffees, respectively,
via joint ventures with Lipton and Starbucks.

SOURCE Sony Pictures Television

No comments: