SONY PICTURES TELEVISION will launch The Minisode Network next week on MySpace. The network will feature 4 to 6 minute condensed versions of classic Sony-owned TV shows, such as “Charlie’s Angels.” Honda has signed on as the sole sponsor. Each minisode will feature an 8 second pre-roll, split into a 3-second billboard and a 5-second commercial for the Honda Fit.
NBC UNIVERSAL TELEVISION STUDIO has been renamed, dropping “Television” from its title. The new name is Universal Media Studios. Ben Silverman said the change reflects “the studio’s natural evolution as digital distribution expands.”
PUBLICIS agreed to purchase BUSINESS INTERACTIF, the French digital marketing agency, for over $180 million. It will be merged into DIGITAS.
DIRECTV and ECHOSTAR have both signed distribution agreements with Wi-Max provider CLEARWIRE. The two satellite providers will market Clearwire’s wireless broadband internet access to customers, allowing them to better compete with cable and telco broadband services.
NBCU announced that its video venture with NEWS CORP. will launch this September. The forthcoming video service will take direct aim at YouTube.
About Shelly Palmer
Shelly Palmer is the Professor of Advanced Media in Residence at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and CEO of The Palmer Group, a consulting practice that helps Fortune 500 companies with AI strategy, implementation and governance, as well as technology, media and marketing. Named one of LinkedIn’s Top Voices in Technology, he is a bestselling author, covers tech and business for Fox 5’s Good Day New York, is a regular commentator on CNN, and writes the popular daily business blog Think About This. Follow @shellypalmer or visit shellypalmer.com.