New York, September 14, 2012 – Internet legend and web video pioneer Ze Frank joins the leading social news organization to continue the company’s growth through online video. With BuzzFeed’s acquisition of Ze Frank Games, Frank will build a team of video producers in Los Angeles and establish a studio to create content native to the social web. The acquisition and hire are effective immediately.
“I've been a longtime fan of the way that BuzzFeed creates and curates great social content, so it's a thrill to join them. There is a great opportunity to bring BuzzFeed's philosophy to the wild west of online video and I'm excited to be putting together a talented team in LA to make that happen,” said Ze Frank.
“Ze is a true pioneer of web video with a unique talent for creating emotionally compelling content perfectly suited for the social web. As a social publisher, BuzzFeed's growth has been driven by Facebook and Twitter and we are thrilled that Ze Frank is joining to extend our work to YouTube,” said Jonah Peretti, BuzzFeed’s Founder & CEO.
Ze Frank will work with BuzzFeed’s existing video and editorial teams and will continue to produce viral hits inspired by BuzzFeed posts like “The Angriest Babies In The Whole World,” “How To Restore Your Faith In Humanity,” “ What Is Your Worst Pet Peeve?” He will also develop new YouTube channels covering a wider range of topics and collaborate with BuzzFeed’s social advertising clients on branded content.
Ze Frank created “The Show with Ze Frank” in 2006, which was seen as a template for the modern video blog. A web pioneer since 2001, his focus on user participation and emotion led to his incredibly viral projects like “Earth Sandwich,” “Young Me/Now Me,” and “Chillout Song.” Frank was featured as a top virologist in Newsweek’s Digital Power Index and his website was listed as one of TIME’s “50 Coolest Websites.” Frank is a frequent TED talk speaker and a Webby award winner. With Kickstarter funding, Frank relaunched “A Show with Ze Frank” in 2012, which he will continue.
More BuzzFeed video can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/buzzfeed
Media Contact:
Ashley McCollum
BuzzFeed, Press Manager
ashley.mccollum@buzzfeed.com
347.977.1411
Alice Suh
BuzzFeed, Director of Communications
alice@buzzfeed.com
646.599.8652
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About BuzzFeed
BuzzFeed is the leading social news organization, intensely focused on delivering high-quality original reporting, insight, and viral content across a rapidly expanding array of subject areas. Our technology powers the social distribution of content, detects what is trending on the web, and connects people in realtime with the hottest content of the moment. Our site is rapidly growing and reaches more than 25 million monthly unique visitors. Jonah Peretti, Founder & CEO of BuzzFeed, previously co-founded the Huffington Post. Ben Smith is its Editor-in-chief.