Broadband Content Bits: MSN; TravelSkoot; EA/Starz
This story was written by Tameka Kee.
MSN's online video onslaught: MSN's Branded Entertainment and Experiences Team (BEET) will launch 15 new original video series by July, according to Mediaweek. The shows include the Grape Nuts-sponsored The Guy's Manual featuring ESPN's Kenny Mayne and the Kraft-sponsored women's health show, Mind Body Balance, among others. Many of the series originated from a digital "upfront" last year; MSN will present multiple new series (along with siblings MSNBC.com and Xbox) during similar events in N.Y., L.A. and Chicago this spring.
NBCU taps Hilton for travel clips on new site: TravelSkoot, NBC Digital's weird travel search/social media hybrid, just got an influx of about 400 videos from Hilton Hotels & Resorts. The clips, which feature advice from Hilton hotel concierges and travel personality Peter Greenberg, showcase entertainment and adventure options in 35 cities. The content deal is part of an ongoing relationship between the two companies, including sponsorship of shows on NBC Everywhere, the NBCU's out-of-home network. Release.
EA, Starz partner for Dante's Inferno movie: EA has tapped Starz Media's Film Roman studio to develop an animated film for its upcoming game Dante's Inferno. The film will serve as a prequel to the game, which depicts Italian poet Dante Aligheri's journey through hell in the classic epic the Divine Comedy. It's the second collaboration between EA and Film Roman: the studio developed Dead Space: Downfall, an animated film tied to EA's horror action title Dead Space, last year. Release.
By Tameka Kee