Jonathan Shambroom Assumes Leadership of Crackle

    SAUSALITO, Calif., Feb. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Crackle, a Sony Pictures
 Entertainment company, announced today that Jonathan Shambroom will take
 over leadership as senior vice president and General Manager of the video
 entertainment company and will lead the company's continued growth as it
 debuts new and original online short-form videos from Sony Pictures
 Television (SPT).
 
     "Dave Samuel and I conceived of what was then called Grouper as an
 innovative peer-to-peer personal media sharing site back in 2004," said
 Josh Felser, co-founder of Grouper. "It's been a pleasure to nurture and
 develop Crackle into a leading video network showcasing the best in
 emerging talent. And now, with Jonathan at the helm, we are confident that
 audiences are in for even more of the best mind-blowing entertainment."
 
     "Crackle is locked and loaded to be the trailblazer of the online
 entertainment space. Thanks to Josh and Dave we have a solid foundation. I
 have total confidence in our talented team to bring Crackle to every living
 room, desktop, and back pocket," said Shambroom. "Working closely with Sony
 and the up-and-coming creators we develop, Crackle will continue to offer
 the best digital entertainment available anywhere."
 
     As a result of its current business model and hot new properties like
 Penn Says, from Penn Jillette of comedy magic team Penn & Teller, Mr. Deity
 and The Minisode Network, the site has seen traffic numbers double in
 recent months. Ad revenue has also increased significantly since the site's
 relaunch in July, with major brands like Honda, Ford, Pepsi, Adobe, and
 Sony Electronics sponsoring both content and channels.
 
     "Jonathan has proven his leadership since joining the Crackle team, and
 his understanding of new media has dramatically driven the site's audience
 and revenue growth," said Sean Carey, senior executive vice president of
 Sony Pictures. "Sony Pictures' confidence in Crackle is stronger than ever
 and we are continuing to increase our investment in Crackle so that it
 becomes the Web's go-to destination for video entertainment."
 
     Crackle has also announced they will have the exclusive debut window
 for new Sony Pictures Television distributed original short-form
 programming for new media, such as the new series. In addition to
 exhibiting content from outside producers, including the new upcoming SPT
 original short form program The Roadents, a flash-animated improvisational
 comedy described as "The Odd Couple" meets "Easy Rider," Crackle will
 continue to develop programming in house from Crackle Studios. Crackle
 Studios incubates cutting edge and original talent from the Web to the
 living room.
 
     Shambroom has overseen product development and marketing for the
 company since September, 2005. A proven product innovator, he has built
 category-defining products in the consumer entertainment space for 15
 years. Previously, he was EVP, Products for Jumpstart, which launched
 Tagged.com and incubated Hi5.com. Prior successes include Evite.com,
 When.com and PF Magic, which were acquired by IAC, AOL, and Mattel,
 respectively.
 
     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.