Stars Align For The Launch Of Chideo

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Chideo (charity + video), an interactive online platform founded by entrepreneur and philanthropist Todd Wagner, launches today. Designed to mobilize the way consumers give to charity, Chideo connects fans to the celebrities they love through exclusive video content that can only be accessed on the platform. Inviting users to watch things change, Wagner's latest venture leverages what's possible when technology, entertainment and social media join forces in the spirit of doing good – it's one-of-a-kind video content with a conscience.

Chideo empowers fans by giving them a voice in content creation as celebrity participants generate videos largely drawn from the suggestions made by fans on Chideo. Fans are encouraged to vote on each other's ideas and share them with their friends and family. The more votes an idea receives, the more likely it is to be brought to life by their favorite personalities. With nearly 60 celebrities and more than 50 charities involved in its platform's launch, Chideo will continue adding more names in the coming weeks. Confirmed notable participants include:

"Chideo is about tapping into the potential of social connection and digital content to complement traditional charity funding models," said Chideo founder Todd Wagner. "Video is primarily a one-way engagement, and our platform empowers fans who can now play a significant role in content creation. We want to provide fans with exclusive entertainment and celebrity access, while fostering an opportunity for charities to reach a wider audience and engage with supporters year-round."

Chideo offers personality-driven videos (or "chideos") created by top entertainers and influencers from more than a dozen categories including film, television, sports, music, fashion, food and literature. Chideo's sleek design and user-friendly features further optimize the fan experience – making it easy, fun and convenient to discover one-of-a-kind video content. With the option to donate-and-watch, users can "unlock" content while simultaneously supporting the charities their favorite public figures care about. Chideo enables users to: search unique video content (by personality, charity, what's trending or most recent); vote on topics for future chideos; and suggest creative ideas of their own that can also be shared across social networks.

Chideo is available for users at www.chideo.com. Users can simply join Chideo by logging in through their email, Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo! or Google+ account.

For up-to-the-minute news and announcements from Chideo personalities, please follow Chideo on Facebook at Facebook.com/chideodotcom or on Twitter @chideo.

The confirmed personalities and charities participating in Chideo are as follows:

Personalities: Blake Adams, Bronson Arroyo, Bob Baer, Shoshana Bean, Clint Black, Michael Bolton, Marc Bouwer, Derrick Brooks, President Bill Clinton, Scott Conant, Bradley Cooper, Colin Cowie, Geena Davis, Dr. Bill Dorfman, Kimberly Elise, David Feherty, Brantley Gilbert, Greg Grunberg, Tony Hale, Don Henley, JB Holmes, Matt Hughes, Michael Johnson, Dot-Marie Jones, Cristie Kerr, KISS, Ricardo Laguna, Julien Leparoux, Jenifer Lewis, Linkin Park, LL Cool J, MC Lyte, Nigel Lythgoe, Penny Marshall, Keke Palmer, Rocky Patel, Chris Paul, Holly Robinson Peete, Kenny Perry, Austin Petty, Ian Poulter, Dolvett Quince, Dan Rather, Dr. Condoleezza Rice, Elisabeth Rohm, Darius Rucker, Debby Ryan, Gary Sheffield, Tavis Smiley, Emmitt Smith, Annika Sorenstam, Nicholas Sparks, Josh Teater, Bobbie Thomas, Michael Waltrip, Ashley Williams, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Rainn Wilson.

Charities: ACM Lifting Lives, AFI, After-School All-Stars, American Heart Association, American Red Cross, ANNIKA Foundation, Augusta Warrior Project, Birdies for Breast Cancer, Blood:Water Mission, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Boys & Girls Club of Franklin-Simpson, Cardiac Kids Foundation of Florida, Children Mending Hearts, Children's Charity of the Bluegrass, Clinton Foundation, Dave Thomas Foundation, Derrick Brooks Charities, Dizzy Feet, Education Through Music – Los Angeles, Embrace Girls After School Program – Miami, Florida, Enough Project, Epilepsy Foundation of America, Family Reach, Feeding America, Feherty's Troops First, Felix Organization, First Tee, Geena Davis Institute, Girl Up – United Nations Foundation, Heifer International, Hip Hop Sister's Foundation, HollyRod Foundation, HOPE Foundation for Women and Children of Bangladesh, Ian J. Poulter Charitable Fund, Infinite Family, International Rett Syndrome Foundation, Intrepid Fallen Hero's Fund, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Jump and Ball (The Vets), Jump For Joy Foundation, Laureus Foundation USA, Leap Foundation, Mexico Multiple Missions - Rancho 3M, Michael Bolton Charities, Mona Foundation, Music for Relief, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Nicholas Sparks Foundation, Noreen Fraser Foundation, North Shore Animal League, Old Friends, One Hope Foundation, Pat and Emmitt Smith Charities, Pencils of Promise, Remember The One, Rocky Patel Foundation, Special Operations Warrior Foundation, Sports Spectacular, Starlight Children's Foundation, Step Up Women's Network, Tavis Smiley Foundation, Trevor Project, Walden Woods Project, Victory Junction.

ABOUT CHIDEO
Chideo (charity + video = chideo) is an interactive digital platform and home for exclusive content where users and celebrities share and connect in the spirit of doing good. Chideo features personality-driven content across the broad spectrum of entertainment, sports, music, fashion, food, design, culture and more. With the option to donate and watch these one-of-a-kind videos, fans not only enjoy entertainment from their favorite personalities, but they also make valuable contributions to their respective charities. Chideo was founded by entrepreneur and philanthropist, Todd Wagner. The platform is available for users at www.chideo.com via web or mobile, and in the iTunes store as an app.  

Press Contacts:
Heather Greenfield/Carolyn Zweifel (IDPR)
(323) 822-4800
Kristin Kelly (Chideo)
[email protected] or (214) 952-0047

SOURCE Chideo