Youku Launches Youku Originals – Internet Video Content Tailored to Chinese Internet Users’ Tastes
video site, today announced the official launch of Youku Originals, the
company’s own brand of self-produced online video content.
At the press conference launching Youku Originals, Youku signed a
strategic partnership memorandum with China Film Group Corporation. Youku and
China Film Group will cooperate on screenplay development, production, and
joint distribution. For the first stage, the two companies will work together
on 10 short films with a total investment exceeding
completion of those films, all 10 will be edited together into a longer film
to be screened simultaneously in theaters and online.
Production of the 10 short films will begin in May. Many first-rate
Chinese directors have expressed enthusiasm about participating in producing
work for this new media.
directors, will join as guest producers.
Youku Originals is Youku’s strategic emphasis for 2010. Youku will produce,
distribute and monetize quality online video content.
Youku Senior Vice President
launch Youku Originals. He noted that creating original productions is a
natural extension that takes full advantage of the Internet video value chain
that Youku has built. “Youku Originals will extend online video media’s value
chain from the low end to the high end, and will create a new chapter for
cross-media cooperation.”
Wei emphasized that the demands of traditional video viewers and online
video viewers differ, and that as
Youku is well positioned to understand the tastes of Chinese Internet video
viewers.
Meanwhile, Youku Originals will work with Beijing Dongwang Culture and
Development Co., Ltd., to produce multiple Web dramas highlighting new media’s
difference from traditional media.
Youku Originals will also partner with Jiangsu Satellite TV to produce
entertainment content. Jiangsu Satellite TV’s variety shows such as Feichang
Wurao and Juedui Changxiang are very popular in
resources” period for the online video industry. Over the years, both users
and industry players have been moving up a learning curve. Users have begun to
establish habits, while platforms have improved the quality of self-generated
content, and educated advertisers on the value of online video in the
marketing media mix.
Web serials are one type of content that has risen to prominence. Youku
has promoted successful web serials such as Hip Hop Office Quartet and Natural
Born Jock, both milestones in the industry. Taking notice of the growing
popularity of web serials, successful directors are turning to web production
with enthusiasm. Jin Yimeng, who directed the 2009 Zhang Ziyi vehicle Sophie’s
Revenge, this year directed the web serial All Crazy about Love for Youku.
For more information, please contact:
Jean Shao Manager of International Public Relations
Tel: +86-10-5885-1881 x7128
Fax: +86-10-5971-1922
Email: shaodan@youku.com
SOURCE Youku.com