AOL, MARK BURNETT, WILEY AND COALITION FILMS ANNOUNCE WEB PROGRAMMING PRODUCTION AGREEMENT
AOL, MARK BURNETT, WILEY AND COALITION FILMS ANNOUNCE WEB PROGRAMMING PRODUCTION AGREEMENT
Digital Series Based on CliffsNotes® Literature Guides Set for 2011
New York, NY – January 31, 2011 – AOL Inc. (NYSE: AOL), Mark Burnett, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (JWa) and Coalition Films today announced a digital production agreement to co-develop a series of comedic video shorts based on CliffsNotes® Literature Guides, published by Wiley. Some of the world's greatest stories from literary heavyweights such as Mark Twain, William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, and many more will all be coming to AOL.com in 2011 as part of this new partnership.
Burnett's One Three, Inc., in partnership with Coalition Films, have acquired the rights from Wiley to develop CliffsNotes videos based on classic works of literature. This new partnership will bring video versions of CliffsNotes Literature Guides to the online masses by presenting classic works of fiction in humorous, irreverent, animated shorts that still manage to present the plots, characters, and themes to the viewer. Burnett and Coalition will work with Wiley to develop high quality videos that provide analysis, interpretation, and criticism of the great works of literature in a fun and highly memorable way.
"Mark is one of the most creative and talented people in our industry and this agreement will further strengthen AOL's video offerings," said Tim Armstrong, chairman and CEO, AOL Inc. "Video is core to AOL's consumer strategy and our goal is to build and partner to produce the best video experiences online."
"CliffsNotes is perfect for the short form production format of the web," said Mark Burnett, president of One Three. "Young Americans are going to love these irreverent, comedic, educational and entertaining versions of the great books."
"Wiley looks forward to working with Coalition Films, Mark Burnett and AOL to bring the trusted Cliffs Notes brand to animated online study via the content development, production and distribution talents and resources of these partners," said Marc Mikulich, VP Brand Management and International Rights.
"It is thrilling to be working on CliffsNotes films with a creative visionary like Mark Burnett and thought leaders like AOL and Wiley," said Joseph Castelo of Coalition Films. CliffsNotes is known around the world for distilling and summarizing great works of literature for students and scholars who may need help studying 1000 pages of Tolstoy, and these new animated shorts will continue that tradition while updating the format for a new generation of online consumer.
In the second half of 2010 alone, AOL closed deals with more than 20 premium content partners and digital studios to deliver a mix of high quality programming to AOL's audiences. Within that mix, AOL has announced several new video franchises not seen anywhere else on the Web, including partnerships with Heidi Klum, Endemol, Vuguru, Ben Silverman's Electus, Next New Networks, Telepictures Productions and the Ellen DeGeneres Show Web site and MarloThomas.com.
Other video franchises across AOL's owned and operated properties include You've Got;
AOL Sessions; The Engadget Show; Translogic on AOL Autos; a number of shows on Cambio.com - Cambio Connect, Cambio Style, Cambio Goes Home and Cambio Cares; and The Secret Millionaire's Club on AOL Kids.
About AOL
AOL Inc. (NYSE: AOL) is a leading global Web services company with an extensive suite of brands and offerings and a substantial worldwide audience. AOL's business spans online content, products and services that the company offers to consumers, publishers and advertisers. AOL is focused on attracting and engaging consumers and providing valuable online advertising services on both AOL's owned and operated properties and third-party websites. In addition, AOL operates one of the largest Internet subscription access services in the United States, which serves as a valuable distribution channel for AOL's consumer offerings.
AOL Inc. (NYSE: AOL) is a leading global Web services company with an extensive suite of brands and offerings and a substantial worldwide audience. AOL's business spans online content, products and services that the company offers to consumers, publishers and advertisers. AOL is focused on attracting and engaging consumers and providing valuable online advertising services on both AOL's owned and operated properties and third-party websites. In addition, AOL operates one of the largest Internet subscription access services in the United States, which serves as a valuable distribution channel for AOL's consumer offerings.
About Wiley
Founded in 1807, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. has been a valued source of information and understanding for more than 200 years, helping people around the world meet their needs and fulfill their aspirations. Wiley and its acquired companies have published the works of more than 400 Nobel laureates in all categories: Literature, Economics, Physiology or Medicine, Physics, Chemistry, and Peace.
Wiley's core businesses publish scientific, technical, medical, and scholarly journals, encyclopedias, books, and online products and services; professional/trade books, subscription products, training materials, and online applications and Web sites; and educational materials for undergraduate and graduate students and lifelong learners. Wiley's global headquarters are located in Hoboken, New Jersey, with operations in the U.S., Europe, Asia, Canada, and Australia. The Company's Web site can be accessed at http://www.wiley.com. The Company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols JWa and JWb.
About Coalition Films
Coalition Films is an independent film production company committed to the craft of storytelling in all mediums. Coalition Films is headquartered in Hoboken, New Jersey. To learn more about Coalition visit: Coalitionfilms.com
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Contacts:
Graham James
AOL
212-206-5012
Adrienne Fontaine
Wiley
201-748-5626
