NBC Universal’s Telemundo Communications Group has partnered with Paula Abdul’s AuditionBooth to seek out new talent online. The online audition platform becomes active in January 2011.
“AuditionBooth provides an innovative way to connect with the full spectrum of U.S. Hispanics to find new, fresh faces to star as talent across Telemundo’s multiple platform content,” said Peter Blacker, Executive Vice President, Digital Media and Emerging Businesses, Telemundo. “Recognizing US Hispanics’ passion for digital media, we feel that this new online audition product is the perfect place for Telemundo and mun2 to connect with the media stars of tomorrow.”
Over 29 million US Hispanics are online, Telemundo noted, and U.S. Hispanic Internet audience growth outpaced total US online population by 50%. Entertainment, particularly video, plays a critical role in Internet use among US Hispanics, and the Hispanic community overindexes in this area compared to the general market.
“Telemundo is the gold-standard for Hispanic programming. This partnership, and their involvement with our company, further enhances and illustrates the quality of services that we intend to provide for our users. We have a very clear vision – to provide high-quality opportunities for talent discovery – and this partnership does just that,” said Paula Abdul, AuditionBooth co-founder.
Anyone interested in uploading an audition for Telemundo and mun2 will be driven to the network’s microsite. An audition host will then conduct a virtual interview which on-air hopefuls will record with their computer’s webcam – recorded entries can be reviewed and re-recorded before they are submitted. AuditionBooth’s robust business intelligence tools enables casting decision makers from Telemundo and mun2 access to submissions with the goal of finding new talent from the entire US Hispanic population and at all levels of language dominance.
After audition content has been uploaded, Telemundo will use AuditionBooth technology to sort or filter audition applicants by gender, location, or content gathered during the audition process. Applicants can then choose to receive automatic electronic notification when their audition is being viewed.
“Our partnership with Telemundo provides exciting opportunities for the plugged-in Latino demographic and proves AuditionBooth’s position as a powerful new tool to help the network efficiently identify fresh talent and broaden its reach,” said Frank E. Celli, AuditionBooth Chairman and President.
In addition to Telemundo, newly-launched AuditionBooth will be conduction online auditions for the major production company, Reveille; the Dots clothing store, Dots; cinema advertising company Screenvision; and street comedy team Bag of Misfits.
