Blip Launches Production Banner Blip Studios, Signs Exclusive Web Video Talent to Network, Promotes Steve Woolf to President of Blip Studios

NEW YORK, June 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Blip, one of the Internet's largest independently owned and operated video networks, today announced the launch of Blip Studios whereby the Company will work directly with brands, talent and independent producers of web video to develop and produce high quality, original web series which Blip will monetize and distribute across their distribution platforms. Steve Woolf, former Vice President of Content for Blip, has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Content and President of Blip Studios, effective immediately.

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Since 2005, Blip has worked closely with the world's top web series producers, advertisers and distribution platforms with the mission of making original series scalable and profitable.  With the introduction of Blip Studios, the Company will enhance their offerings to advertisers, producers and talent to create original series in key genres including comedy, sci-fi, sports and drama. Blip Studios will build and manage networks of shows in these genres, and has made Blip a one-stop shop for brands and their agencies that want to invest in original web video content and deliver their messages to targeted audiences.

"The creation of Blip Studios as a multiplatform digital studio producing engaging and innovative content for the Blip network and its partners is a huge value-add for our business and a very natural growth progression for the company," said Kelly Day, CEO of Blip. "We are excited about our initial talent slate and expect to announce many more original series with major partners and other great talent in the near future."

"We are incredibly proud to launch Blip Studios to develop a wide range of original web series, and just as important, series that will also push the boundaries of audience interactivity," said Steve Woolf, President of Blip Studios. "Our ultimate goal is to create the best innovative content that leads storytelling into the next decade."

Also announced today, Blip Studios has signed exclusive talent and distribution agreements with some of the most successful independent production companies and shows on their network, representing hundreds of millions of views.  These shows understand how to engage their audience, and will work with Blip Studios to take their efforts to wider audiences, more platforms, and increased production value.  These agreements include increased revenue from advertising, brand integration sales, marketing, audience development, distribution, and production resources.  Three of the signed shows include:

• Nostalgia Critic: With a massive, dedicated audience, Nostalgic Critic, starring Doug Walker, is the long-running hit from production company Channel Awesome. The series features Walker as he critiques and pokes fun at all things nostalgic, especially television and video games from the 80's and 90's.
• Nostalgia Chick: Originally a counterpart to the hugely popular series Nostalgia Critic, Nostalgic Chick, produced by Lindsey Ellis, Antonella Inserra, and Elisabeth Hansen and starring Ellis and a roster of guest stars, was focused on nostalgic television and movies targeted for women.  With an engaged audience of millions of monthly viewers, the show has quickly evolved into a critique of popular culture with recurring characters that form a fun, collaborative variety review.
• Todd in the Shadows: Known as "A Guide to Terrible Pop Songs of the Present and Past," Todd in the Shadows stars Todd Nathanson and has garnered millions of views around the world. Todd is enshrouded in shadow as he takes us through the context of a mainstream pop song, breaking down the minutia of the awesomeness and the awfulness, and establishing a great connection with his audience.

In his new role as President of Blip Studios, Woolf is responsible for all content development, production and strategic relationships with media partners, management companies and independent content creators that develop original video for the web.  Woolf has held the position of Vice President of Content for Blip since 2011, during which time Blip views have tripled.

With over ten years of experience in web video, Woolf has served as an executive, producer, director, technologist and entrepreneur, co-founding a company that produced several successful original and branded web series. Woolf is a two-time Webby Award and two-time Streamy Award winner for the pioneering web series Epic Fu which has been viewed over 80 million times.

About Blip Networks

Blip is the place to discover the best in original web series from both professional and up-and-coming producers. It gives viewers access to a wide variety of dramas and comedies, series about sports, videogames, food, fashion and more, and makes it easy to find what you want when you want it wherever you want it. The company currently syndicates series to iTunes, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Roku, Verizon FiOS, TiVo, Sony TVs and elsewhere. Blip series attract hundreds of millions of video views per month. Please visit http://blip.com for more information. Follow Blip on Twitter: twitter.com/blip or on Facebook at http://facebook.com/blip.

SOURCE Blip Networks