Yahoo! Inks Deal to Show Animated Shorts

Internet giant Yahoo! signed a pact with California-based Gotham Group, a management and production firm, to distribute online original animated content.

Gotham, which represents much of the cartoon talent in Hollywood, will give Yahoo! access to online rights for already produced animated shorts and new, original projects, Variety.com said Monday.

The Internet is the only place where you can make a real business out of animated shorts, which is exciting for the talent we work with, said Gotham founder and Chief Executive Officer Ellen Goldsmith-Vein.

The deal was made by Yahoo! Studios, the company’s original production arm that recently reorganized.

Officials from both companies said they’re still discussing the first project. Sunnyvale, Calf.-based Yahoo! likely will feature the shorts across its array of media properties, including Yahoo! TV, Yahoo! Movies and Yahoo! Video, officials said.