AOL is continuing its efforts to add new online video content to its website, announcing a deal today that will have Queen Latifah act as executive producer, and also star, in a variety of original video web series to be featured across AOL's network of sites.
In addition, Queen Latifah's production company, Flavor Unit Entertainment, will serve as the main producer of the original web series.
The short form, talk show format web series will cover topics ranging from entertainment and sports, to social issues and entrepreneurialism. And, the show will follow an emerging trend in the online video industry, allowing viewers to influence potential future series that are produced by interacting with the show.
"With Queen Latifah's proven track record to create content that resonates with a broad audience, AOL is excited to partner with such a dynamic personality and bring her unique perspective to the digital space," said Tim Armstrong, Chairman and CEO of AOL.
AOL's Blackvoices.com will showcase the series in a specially created hub designed to enhance the site's current video offerings that are increasingly popular with its audience.
AOL has been aggressively acquiring online video content as it looks to enhance its position as a destination for women. The company reports 7.2 million women visit AOL's sites daily. AOL has signed more than 20 deals with content providers and digital studios for programming, much of it original, since the middle of 2010, and has in the past year seen its video views increase three-fold.
Last month, AOL acquired the Huffington Post for $315 million, with Armstrong lauding Arianna Huffington, who now heads all of AOL's content units, as "a world-renowned topic expert on women's topics and issues."
Some of the recent content deals include 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.
For more:
- see this release
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