SnagFilms intends to be the go-to brand for independent films, and it just took further steps in that direction with newly unveiled distribution platforms, the launch of new social media and mobile applications, and several new executive hires.
Its distribution partners now include Sony’s online entertainment platform Crackle, which provides ad-supported content to cord cutters and other viewers. SnagFilms already is on iTunes, Hulu Plus, Vudu, Xbox Live, Amazon and YouTube Movies. SnagFilms also announced its integration with Facebook’s Open Graph platform, enabling viewers to share what they’ve watched, rated or queued on the SnagFilms website.
Addressing the transactional on-demand audience, SnagFilms has now added a deal with iN Demand, which makes SnagFilms’ titles available to watch via affiliates like Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications and Bright House Networks. Since it already has distribution in place on Comcast, Verizon FiOS and DirecTV, SnagFilms said it now reaches nearly 90 percent of U.S. households that receive VOD services.
“Film distribution is facing unprecedented disruption, as viewers want a broad choice of titles, available on demand on all possible devices,” said Rick Allen, SnagFilms’ CEO. “We’ve made the strategic investment necessary to ensure that our filmmakers can reach an audience on every major platform – the broadest footprint available to independent films.”
SnagFilms also announced that four new executives have joined the company, which is chaired by its founder Ted Leonsis.
Manik Bambha has been named chief technology officer, in which role he will be responsible for innovations and functionality for the SnagFilms and Indiewire websites; SnagFilms’ continued expansion across mobile devices and television platforms; and ongoing developments to improve online video streaming and sharing. Bambha previously led technology for MySpace and Fox Interactive Media.
D. Scott Karnedy joins SnagFilms as chief revenue officer, a role that spans SnagFilms’ ad-supported website, platforms and mobile apps as well as the Indiewire news site and blog network along with other revenue strategies. He most recently served as chief sales officer and executive vice president for Premiere Retail Networks (PRN), and before that was senior vice president, Sales and Marketing Solutions for XM Satellite Radio.
Rounding out the new executives are Gary Hahn, executive vice president, Marketing, and Jon Landa, senior vice president, Ad Sales.
Earlier this month SnagFilms acquired exclusive rights to a set of movies that includes the 2012 Sundance documentary Under African Skies, Joe Berlinger’s project that follows the complicated artistic, political and commercial aspects of Paul Simon’s classic Graceland album. Among the other titles are the comedy We Made This Movie from Late Show with David Letterman executive producer and Worldwide Pants CEO Rob Burnett; Faces In The Mirror from Dave Matthews Band’s Boyd Tinsley; Black Tulip, the official 2011 Academy Awards entry from Afghanistan; and 2010 Sundance feature entry Holy Rollers with Jesse Eisenberg and Justin Bartha. ‘
Related links:
IndieWire – news post
