APTEX's answer to NASDAQ's Silicon Valley

Here's something we'll be paying close attention to in the coming months, the Asia Pacific Technology Exchange (APTEX), the specialist exchange for technology companies, similar to NASDAQ in the United States will commence trading in Australia later this year as part of the Pacific Technology Corridor Business Plan intended to make it easier for smaller firms with smaller numbers of shareholders to gain access to capital markets, beyond life sciences and information and communication technology seeking to take innovation to the market place.

Repucom Appoints Shahid Zainudeen

Our friends at Repucom, global broadcast analysis service provider in branded content have appointed Shahid Zainudeen as Senior Vice President to oversee Business Development in India. Headquartered in Sydney, Repucom provide our clients with actionable information and insights for planning, buying and post-analysing media investments within branded content environments.

Kodak Focuses on Products In Shot

Jeff Hayzlett, Kodak's US chief business development officer has indicated the brand will continue to sponsor NBC's The Celebrity Apprentice, including this week's season finale. The company saw "unbelievable success" when its products were the centerpiece of a Jan. 17 episode, with sales doubling the following week and the company getting mentions in such places as ABC talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live and Rollingstone.com. Such product placement tie- ins range from $500,000 to $2.5 million.

Content 360 Kicks Off Cannes

Over 100 submissions were received in the branded-content category "Using the Power of the Brand for the Power of Good," in next month's International Content 360 festival competition set to kick off at MIPTV market in Cannes. Winners in each category will be announced April 10 during Ray Cokes' "Zapping Show" and take home prize money totaling 113,000 euros ($176,827) in development financing.

Chrysler Saluts The All-For-Nots

Lead sponsors for Michael Eisner's new Webisode The All-For-Nots are Chrysler and Expedia.com, and both will have distinct product placement within the series. The show will feature Chrysler's 2008 Dodge Nitro and Expedia.com's online tools for making travel arrangements.

Tourism NZ, Hyatt, Avis Turn to Video

The 100% Pure New Zealand channel on YouTube has been viewed over 800,000 times and received over 1,200 comments within six months. Also in the travel sector, Hyatt Hotels, which uploaded its Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort video onto YouTube has been viewed over 3,000 times in the past year. Avis is considering providing instructional videos on how to drive a Prius and other new hybrid autos in the fleet.

Contagious Viral Video Blends

Since Blendtec's golf ball crunching viral videos debuted on YouTube last year, retail sales of the company's blenders have grown fivefold, to an estimated $10 million, up from $2 million in 2006. The original run of five videos cost only $50 to produce and has been viewed more than 35 million times on YouTube. Watch the Will it Blend videos here..

Babelgum Digital Studio Fund

Silvio Scaglia’s IPTV network Babelgum, has created a e10 million ($15.4 million) fund to invest in original and exclusive content, putting it in the enviable position of transforming itself into the first "digital media studio" of its kind. The Dublin headquartered company, recently opened its online film festival by making more than 1,000 shorts available for public viewing and voting.

YouTube Live TV

YouTube's live TV expansion, which will enable marketers to reach millions of internet users worldwide through branded web TV channels and full-length ad-funded programmes, is one of the reasons why we started branding InShotTV early last year. As Goggle's InVideo ad platform opens up, so many brands are going to need a helping hand to create, script and navigate this space.

Floating Film Funds Splash

Charter Pacific Corporation (ASX code: CHF), Cinevistaas, and a group of Bollywood financiers, are continuing to float film funds to finance productions or buy film rights, to capitalise on the boom in Indian film-making. Charter Pacific Corporation, is expected to form a fund to make Indian movies. CPC is expected to float next month with a fund worth AUD$ 20 million to release 5-8 films a year. The films could be in Hindi, English or any regional language. With the producer off-set now in place, at least 40 per cent of the film will have to be made in Australia in order for investors to receive the tax benefit. Films could either be shot in India or make use of post-production facilities in Australia. More..