Homemade success on the Web
February 15, 2007
If you watched the Super Bowl Feb. 4, you no doubt noticed the advertising industry�s sudden interest in "viewer-created" commercials.
Whether this proves to be a fad or not, the practice of letting viewers not just vote for their favorite content on the Internet, but create it as well, is here to stay. And believe it or not, Al Gore really had something to do with it thanks to a "viewer-created ad" contest for his Current TV channel.
A year and a half ago Tyson Ibele of Minneapolis took part, and his 24-second animated eye-popper called "Transformation" was snapped up by Sony. The revolution began.
Current TV is on digital cable, but the best way to access it is online at current.tv. There you�ll find an ongoing contest to rate the best amateur videos submitted by the public. So if you have something to say and enough fans on Current TV, you can bypass YouTube and go straight to the tube.
Now other networks are jumping in. The Independent Film Channel is holding a best short film competition at medialab.ifc.com. You have until Friday to vote for your favorite film, which will get a real live Independent Spirit Award and air live on IFC Feb. 24. And Steven Spielberg and "Survivor" guru Mark Burnett have launched onthelot.com for "On the Lot," their filmmaker reality contest, which will air later this year on Fox.
Source: Kansas City Star