Have you ever Yearbook-ed Yourself? How about Elf-ed Yourself? Or Mad Men-ed Yourself? What about created your own South Park alter-ego or used Simpsonize Me or created your own Scott Pilgrim avatar? In today's hyper-social web, where users are sharing content on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and beyond, major brands are using personalized entertainment to create buzz over their next campaign – whether it be the launch of a new movie (Avatarize Yourself, Terminate Yourself, Shrekify Yourself), TV show, new product or promotions surrounding the Holiday season. These interactive campaigns have reached millions and they only happen when the combination of art & technology makes a perfect blend – giving consumers the tools to make a customized, artistic version of themselves to share with their friends. This panel will bring together the creators of these web sensations to discuss the what, how, and why's of personalized entertainment. What is the cause for this craze? Will it last? What is next?
Evan Spiridellis, with his brother Gregg, cofounded JibJab in 1999 with a few desktop computers, a dial-up Internet connection, and the dream of building a big new media brand. Five years later, they achieved 'overnight success' when their 2004 election parodies, "This Land" and "Good to be in DC", were seen over 80 million times around the world, leading Peter Jennings to name the brothers 'People of the Year'. Since then, the brothers have built JibJab into a leading online entertainment brand, with 18 million registered members and over 100 million annual visitors to their website. Before JibJab, Evan Spiridellis was a successful independent filmmaker with a BFA in Illustration from Parsons School of Design.
