DECA

Why Doesn’t Web Video Like the “C Word”?

Marissa Cramer — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 22:38:50 +0000

DECA CEO Michael Wayne, meanwhile, takes a different approach, as DECA removes its shows from the Internet following their cancellation. The reason for that, though, is the same reason they also don’t use the word “cancel”: for DECA, according to Wayne, a show isn’t just a show — it’s a brand and a standalone business.

So in considering whether or not to continue making a show like the now-defunct Bush League TV, “We look at it as: ‘Is this business heading into profitability or not?’” If it isn’t, they shut it down. “When you shut down a brand and you don’t take it offline, it can look bad, and that inevitably doesn’t reflect well on the company,” he said.

Of course, DECA’s focus has also changed dramatically over the last few years, as they’ve started almost exclusively targeting women over 25 with shows like Momversation and Good Bite, which partner nicely with brands. They only got to that place, though, after experiments like Bush League. “At the end of the day, you have to take risks, and you’re never going to be successful 100 percent of the time,” Wayne said.

DECA Team at Umami Burger

Marissa Cramer — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:54:14 +0000

We, at DECA, love a good burger so when Good Bite’s Managing Editor, Kat Odell, mentioned that the Umami Burger Truck would be setting up shop outside nearby Fred Segal, we jumped at the chance to scarf down some of the savory specialties. We gobbled up uber-juicy burgers served alongside perfectly seasoned fries, hardly able to come up for air to rave about the sheer “delicousness” of each bite. Thank you Kat and Umami for full bellies and a wonderfully indulgent lunch!

PS - Stay tuned for the Umami Restaurant soon opening up inside Fred Segal…

Streamy Award Submissions Open Today: New Awards, Additional Process

Marissa Cramer — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:38:40 +0000

In other Streamys/IAWTV news: Michael Wayne, CEO of DECA, has been named chairman of the IAWTV, with Blip.tv co-founder Dina Kaplan serving as vice chair. (The announced board of directors was common knowledge as of last October, when the IAWTV met as an organization for the first time.) Those who have applied for IAWTV membership for this year are still waiting to hear if they’ll be allowed to join the non-profit advocacy group.

Felicia Day, Michael Wayne, Dina Kaplan Join IAWTV Board of Directors

Marissa Cramer — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:39:36 +0000

Web series fans, take note. The International Academy of Web Television, the independent, non-profit organization that serves as the voting body for the Streamy Awards, officially announced its Board of Directors today along with its first Chairman, Michael Wayne, co-founder and CEO of DECA (Digital Entertainment Corporation of America).

“Just as the Academies of Motion Picture and Television Arts and Sciences had humble beginnings, so do we,” said Wayne in the IAWTV press release today. ”While our industry may be in its early stages, it is growing at an exponential rate … 2010 promises to be a phenomenal year for the International Academy of Web Television with the 2nd Annual Streamy Awards and the continued expansion of our membership.” Before DECA, Wayne served as the Vice President of Strategic Alliances for Sony Pictures Digital and Sony Pictures Television.

Grab Them And Keep Them In 3 Short Steps

Marissa Cramer — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:18:35 +0000

By supplying content in a robust, visual manner through video, you can engage audiences on a whole new level. Momversation does this very well through a network of online influencers who contribute videos on topics of interest to moms, ranging from sick days to learning disabilities, to how to keep your kids healthy. The videos provide additional exposure for the influencers involved, and another forum for ad-based revenue.

For marketers, this is a reminder that today’s video goes beyond the traditional 30-second spot. Production quality can vary, length of time can vary, and even tone can be modified, but as with social media, the voice and the content should be authentic and genuine.

Oatmeal Recipe Serves up $10,000 for Charity, Blogger Lines up for Seconds

Marissa Cramer — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:11:15 +0000

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Dec. 3, 2009) – Food For The Poor received $10,000 from Quaker Oats and Goodbite.com, thanks to a popular food blogger and all of the fans who turned up the heat and voted for her oatmeal recipe on You Tube.

Laura Levy, of laurasbestrecipes.com, says she now wants to stoke the fire and fan the flames. The popular food blogger was so excited about what $10,000 could do; she found that she wanted to do more. Because Food For The Poor can feed a child for $36 a year, at least 277 children will be fed with the money from the challenge. Levy wants to raise enough money to feed 500 hungry children.

The children who will be helped with the winnings live in Cap-Haitien, Haiti. Without this money, they wonder day-to-day how they will eat. Levy has become a “Champion” for the organization, and anyone can help her meet her latest goal by visiting www.foodforthepoor.org/lauralevy.

In October, Levy joined the “Awaken Your Senses Challenge” sponsored by Quaker Oats and Goodbite.com. Her scrumptious oatmeal-topping recipe - “Red, White & Berry” – tallied up the most votes among 12 bloggers. Levy won the competition and the grand prize has been granted to Food For The Poor, the largest international relief and development agency in the United States.

Levy chose the charity to receive the winnings, stating on her Facebook page that the organization “was very close to her heart.”

This is the first time Food For The Poor teamed up with a food blogger and participated in an Internet-based challenge.

“Truly, the winners of this challenge are those whom we serve. The children, the families, the elderly we help — we can claim victory for them,” said Robin Mahfood, President/CEO of Food For The Poor. “It is wonderful that Levy chose to represent us in this challenge. We are grateful our organization and the work we do resonated with her, and we feel blessed for that.”

Food For The Poor, the largest international relief and development organization in the United States, does much more than feed millions of hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. This interdenominational Christian ministry provides emergency relief assistance, clean water, medicines, educational materials, homes, support for orphans and the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance, with more than 96 percent of all donations going directly to programs that help the poor. For more information please visit, http://www.foodforthepoor.org.

Contact:
Aimee Vignola
Public Relations Associate
954.427.2222, ext. 6079
aimeev@foodforthepoor.com

Life as a Depressed Parent

admin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:17:08 +0000

Over at the Momversation this week, Heather Armstrong of Dooce.com is leading a candid talk about depression. She has been extremely open over the years about the postpartum emotional crash that led her to a psychiatric hospital. Her fellow bloggers on the video — Alice Bradley, of finslippy.com, Mindy Roberts of themommyblog.net and Danny Evans of DadGoneMad.com — have been somewhat less public about their suffering, and their conversation about what Bradley calls “being filled with crushing despair” is a moving one.

Circumcision Debate Hot on ‘Parents Ask’, DECA’s Newest Series

admin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:11:25 +0000

DECA is fast becoming to parenting what Revision3 is to gamers and techies, building up a stable of original web series around an super-focused audience. Their Target-sponsored hit Momversation recently rolled out its 100th episode and Daphne Brogdon’s Cool Mom is still going strong. Sure, they also rock World of Warcraft slugfest Project Lore and Boing Boing, but in terms of new properties it’s all about the parents.

“We know that parents are looking online for answers to the tough questions about raising their kids, so we set out to bring together a panel of the top experts in the country,” said DECA’s CEO Michael Wayne. “We created Parents Ask to directly connect parents with the most knowledgeable authorities on every parenting topic.”

Press Release: PARENTSASK.COM - New Web Series Features Panels of Parenting Experts Answering Questions About Raising Children

Marissa Cramer — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:22:09 +0000

PARENTSASK.COM - NEW WEB SERIES FEATURES PANELS OF PARENTING EXPERTS ANSWERING QUESTIONS ABOUT RAISING CHILDREN
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Weekly Online Show and Web Site Features Leaders in Medicine, Psychology and Child Development
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Santa Monica, CA/New York, NY (October 29, 2009) — DECA (www.deca.tv), the digital media and entertainment company known for creating premium Web series and high-quality communities, announced today the launch of its latest brand – Parents Ask (www.ParentsAsk.com). The new Web series and site brings together the country’s leading pediatricians, authors, and psychologists to answer parents’ questions and give expert advice on raising a healthy family.

“Our Web series format brings together the high production value of TV and the active engagement of online communities,” said Michael Wayne, CEO of DECA. “We know that parents are looking online for answers to the tough questions about raising their kids, so we set out to bring together a panel of the top experts in the country. We created Parents Ask to directly connect parents with the most knowledgeable authorities on every parenting topic.”

“Parents Ask gives me a wonderful way to share what I’ve learned with mothers and fathers who are looking for advice on the best way to raise their children,” said Elizabeth Pantley, bestselling author of The No-Cry Sleep Solution and Parents Ask Contributor. “It’s gratifying to be a part of such an amazing group of people who have spent their careers helping families, and to be part of such a helpful new resource for families.”

Parents Ask’s first episode takes on the hot topic of flu shots. The panel of experts included: Dr. Bob Sears, Dr. Tanya Altmann, and Dr. Scott Cohen who tackled the question: How effective are flu shots and are they safe for kids?

“I became a pediatrician to help kids and families,” said Parents Ask panelist Dr. Bob Sears. “Parents Ask provides an amazing platform for me; it gives me the opportunity to share my knowledge and expertise with moms and dads that I wouldn’t normally get to meet through my practice.”

Upcoming episodes include Circumcision Indecision: Making the Best Choice for Your Son, Three In A Bed: Co-Sleeping Pros & Cons, Colicky Baby: Comforting Your Fussy Infant, and Sex During Pregnancy: Enjoying Intimacy While Keeping Baby Safe.

“Through Parents Ask I am able to help and advise many more parents than I can reach in my daily practice, seminars, and parenting groups,” said Parents Ask Contributor Betsy Brown Braun. “I think it is particularly great for parents to be able to hear a variety opinions and approaches all in one sitting. After all, there is not one right way to parent. It has to work for you.”

The full list of Parents Ask contributors include:
• Dr. Tanya Remer Altmann, M.D
• Lisa Belkin
• Betsy Brown Braun
• Scott Cohen, M.D.
• Dr. Ann Corwin, Ph.D
• Foster Cline, M.D.
• Eli Davidson
• Keith Eddleman, M.D.
• Robert J. MacKenzie, Ph.D
• Ron Mathews
• Elizabeth Pantley
• Joan Rice
• Robert W. Sears M.D.
• Joanne Stern Ph.D
• Joanne Stone, M.D.
• Bonnie Zucker, Psy.D.
• Monica Vila

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ABOUT DECA

DECA (Digital Entertainment Corporation of America) was founded in 2007 to create a new model for the online entertainment experience. By identifying, funding, marketing and distributing next-generation digital content, DECA has become one of the leading players in shaping the future of entertainment. With its unique philosophy of recognizing and nurturing personalities and properties distinctive to the digital community, DECA stands alone in the industry by supporting content ‘of the web, by the web, and for the web.’ Headquartered in Santa Monica, CA, the company was founded by Michael Wayne and Chris Kimbell, who previously held senior roles at Sony Pictures, ABC, and Yahoo! Music. DECA is funded by Mayfield, General Catalyst, Rustic Canyon, and Atomico.

Among its current properties are:

• Smosh , http://smosh.com

o Currently the third most subscribed YouTube channel of all time, Smosh is sketch comedy for teens and young adults by 20-year-olds Anthony Padilla and Ian Hecox. With more than 230 million views, Smosh videos have become a pop culture phenomenon. Their site, Smosh.com, features video extras, robust forums, and a growing community of more than 400,000 registered members, who contribute to more than five million page views each month.

• Momversation, http://www.momversation.com

o Momversation is an online video series and website that brings together the web’s most outspoken moms to discuss the topics that matter to them. Momversation is hosted by a rotating cast of eight influential mom-bloggers including Heather Armstrong of dooce and Daphne Brogdon of Cool Mom. The community can also “join the momversation” by posting comments and participating in forums.

• Good Bite, http://goodbite.com

o Good Bite brings together America’s most popular food bloggers for online video discussions about cooking. Each episode of Good Bite makes delicious food easy, providing accessible recipes and solutions for home cooks. The Good Bite website is focused on finding the very best in food online and sharing it with users.

• Project Lore, http://projectlore.com

o Bringing together five dudes, four cameras, and the one and only World of Warcraft, Project Lore is all about putting the best multimedia MMORPG game guides in one place. The site also features a daily video show and a blog about all things WoW. Led by online video star Alex Albrecht, the show follows the progress of a group of level 70 players.

More information can be found at www.deca.tv.

For More Information about ParentsAsk or DECA, please contact:
Rubenstein Communications, Inc.
Adam Isserlis, (212) 843-8024 or aisserlis@rubenstein.com
Carolyn Nurnberg, (212) 843-9316 or cnurnberg@rubenstein.com

IAWTV Gives Itself Herculean Task of Uniting Web TV Makers

janet — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:36:59 +0000

DECA CEO and the appointed IAWTV chairman of the board Michael Wayne gamely parried a wide variety of questions, desires and dissents from a roomful of members and would-be members, many of whom had flown to LA for the event.

For now, the IAWTV’s principal responsibility is to run the second-annual Streamy Awards show next year, but along the way it’s also hoping to structure itself in the Hollywood mold. Wayne laid out a plan for 22 peer groups — which sounds rather unwieldy given the total current membership is around 100. But to be fair, the second part of his session was addressed to prospective members, and the room for that was packed. No actual academy business was carried out; this was more of an informational meeting.