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NATPE ANNOUNCES 2012 DIGITAL LUMINARY AWARD RECIPIENTS

NASA, Yahoo!, Charlie Todd and Web Series Aim High, Leap Year and Wainy Days to be Honored in Miami for Leadership in Digital Media

LOS ANGELES (January 9, 2012) - NATPE''Content First, the premier U.S.-based media marketplace, and its CEO Rick Feldman, today announced the 2012 recipients of NATPE's third annual Digital Luminary Awards. Based on six categories, the awards honor the innovative people and companies who act as catalysts in the content revolution.
Recipients in categories ranging from Branded Entertainment Series to Online Video Personality will be honored during an awards presentation, followed by a champagne toast, hosted by Alex Albrecht of Fat Dolphin at noon on Wed, Jan. 25 during NATPE 2012. The event will also be streamed live at www.natpemarket.com/digilumi.
"Each year, digital media continues to redefine itself and mature in terms of content, brand integration and talent," remarked Feldman. "NATPE is proud to recognize the 2012 Digital Luminary Awards honorees as they lead the charge in uniting the world of media in a truly exciting way."
The 2012 recipients are as follows:
BRAND LEADERSHIP IN ONLINE VIDEO: Honoring a brand that has shown repeated commitment to funding original online entertainment content that is engaging, unique and successful in reaching a core online audience.

HONOREE: NASA: Juno
NASA is a pioneer in the digital documentary world, largely because of Mission Juno, an interactive digital documentary designed to change the way the public perceives space. Translating complex scientific data into a clear and compelling narrative of space exploration, the Mission Juno website engages visitors in a visual experience that allows them to track, explore and learn about NASA's mission to Jupiter.

BRANDED ENTERTAINMENT SERIES: Recognizing excellence in an original online video series that is funded primarily through a brand sponsor.

HONOREE: Leap Year
Leap Year is a ten-episode original comedy series about five newbie startup founders competing for $500,000 in funding. The series was produced by CJP Digital Media for Hiscox Small Business Insurance to raise awareness among entrepreneurs for the company's suite of online business insurance tools. The first season garnered critical acclaim, 5 million organic views, 100 million earned media impressions and 40,000 active social media followers, 66 percent of which self-identify as being among the brand's target audience.

ONLINE VIDEO PERSONALITY: Honoring an online video personality that has built a significant audience and continues to engage and entertain them in unique ways.

HONOREE: Charlie Todd, Improv Everywhere
Charlie Todd is recognized internationally as the visionary creator, producer and director behind some of the most famous viral videos in the world. In 2001 Todd founded Improv Everywhere (IE), a New York City-based prank collective that causes scenes of chaos and joy in public places. It is now the largest network of "pranksters" ever assembled. IE videos have been viewed more than 170 million times on YouTube.

ORIGINAL WEB CONTENT IN A DRAMA SERIES: Recognizing excellence in creation of an original dramatic web series that has broken through and achieved critical and financial success in the past year.

HONOREE: Aim High
Aim High is about a top agent for the U.S. Government...who is 16 years old. The series is recognized for its production quality, strong performances and tremendous writing, and is a good example of delivering edgy, clever material online. This series is produced by Warner Premiere and Dolphin Entertainment and distributed by Warner Bros. Digital Distribution.

ORIGINAL WEB CONTENT IN A COMEDY SERIES: Recognizing excellence in creation of an original comedy web series that has broken through and achieved critical and financial success in the past year.

HONOREE: Wainy Days
Wainy Days is one of the longest-running, most popular, original comedy series online. This My Damn Channel exclusive by writer, actor and director David Wain, has been viewed more than 17 million times. Wainy Days has received top honors such as "Best Comedy Series" for the 2008 and 2009 Webby Awards, and was honored with "Best Guest Appearance" (Paul Rudd) at the 2009 Streamy Awards.

LEADERSHIP IN THE DIGITAL CATEGORY: Recognizing the commitment and investment in the creation and distribution of online content.

HONOREE: Yahoo!
Yahoo delivers premium content experiences across screens at scale. With a longtime commitment to original video programming, Yahoo has 12 of the top 12 original video shows online and the most successful online show in history, Primetime in No Time, boasting over half a billion streams.

The 2012 NATPE Digital Luminary honorees were chosen by a specially appointed Advisory Committee through an open submissions process via www.natpemarket.com. The Advisory Committee is co-chaired by Rob Barnett, founder/CEO, My Damn Channel; and Robert Friedman, president, media and entertainment, @radical media. Members of the committee include the following:
- Drew Baldwin, Co-Founder, Tubefilter
- Max Benator, Head of Development and Production, The Collective Digital Studios
- Barrett Garese, Director, Content Partnerships, Blip.tv
- Tamara Krinsky, New Media Program Manager, Writers Guild of America, West
- Jordan Levin, CEO, Generate
- Erin McPherson, VP & Head of Original Programming, Yahoo!
- Michael Wayne, Co-Founder & CEO, DECA

NATPE''Content First is a global, nonprofit organization committed to serving as a catalyst for the content revolution, operating and managing the only U.S.-based global content marketplace. NATPE 2012 is the destination where creativity meets connectivity and commerce. Now held at the Fontainebleau Resort in Miami Beach on January 23-25, NATPE 2012 provides a first look at fresh content and gives industry leaders a jump-start on monetizing projects. NATPE 2012 thanks the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (MBVCA) for its support. After 15 years of operating independently, DISCOP East was acquired by NATPE as part of a continued strategy for expansion within the international arena. The market has now become NATPE/BUDAPEST and will take place June 26-28, 2012. www.natpemarket.com

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