Korean Broadcasting System and VMark Debut Next-generation Online Video Service

Korean Broadcasting System and VMark Debut Next-generation Online Video Service

Increasing Advertising Revenue Through Interactive User Experience and Social Networking

SEOUL, South Korea, April 9 /PRNewswire/ -- KBS (Korean Broadcasting System), the largest broadcaster in South Korea, and VMark, Inc. have entered into an agreement to deploy VMark's video scene sharing and metadata technologies and associated services. VMark's video bookmarking solution enables users to easily save their favorite moments from KBS shows and share them across the web, creating additional monetization opportunities. VMark's scene-based metadata solution allows KBS to dynamically associate metadata with video on a highly granular, scene-by-scene basis. As users view content online, KBSi, the Internet distribution unit of KBS, can deliver contextually relevant advertising to the viewer based on the scene-based metadata managed and served by VMark, enabling a new and powerful source of revenue. KBSi and VMark will share resulting incremental advertising revenue. Additionally, this scene associated metadata now enables KBS's online content to be fully indexed for searching at the scene level by the most popular Korean portals, search engines, and social networks.

"We are pleased with the results of the VMark pilot program," said Won-Kun Lee, Executive Vice President of KBS. "Like many broadcasters, our viewers have many entertainment options and as a result, broadcasters are having an increasingly difficult time holding on to these viewers -- and fewer viewing hours mean lower advertising revenues. But VMark's technology and services have reversed that trend by enhancing our viewers' overall online entertainment experience with scene-based interactive and social features and also enabling our content with scene-associated metadata. On the web, our viewers can not only easily find the specific scenes that they want, but advertisers can also deliver advertising that is highly relevant to the viewing experience. VMark's comprehensive service will definitely have a positive impact on our advertising revenues."

"KBS presents a perfect example of how broadcasters can use our innovative technologies and business models to leverage their content online and generate new revenue streams," says David Lee, CEO of VMark Inc. "Our technology and services allow broadcasters to implement a new viral distribution strategy at very little upfront cost, and KBS's advertisers can now reach audiences with targeted and more effective advertising messages. This increases the value of our partner's content with both time and use. Thus we will engage in partnerships with media companies, such as those fostered by our participation in and contribution to the dotTV initiative, to maximize growth opportunities in major markets around the world."

The agreement demonstrates the first prototype of services designed to work in conjunction with the new dotTV standard. dotTV(TM) is a consortium of broadcasters, consumer electronics manufacturers and technology providers working to build the next-generation interactive TV viewing experience leveraging social networking and online video to engage viewers.

KBS and VMark will be demonstrating the service at 2008 NAB in Las Vegas. Demos will be available for viewing at the ATSC HotSpot, Booth L33. VMark is prepared to support other broadcasters in a similar model to the program established with KBS. Without committing heavy capital investment, broadcasters are able to deliver this innovative service and share in the increasing advertising revenues provided by more interactive online viewing.

About KBS (Korean Broadcasting System)

KBS, Korean Broadcasting System, is Korea's flagship public service broadcaster. KBS embraces its role as the center of Korean society by providing programs that are close to the heart of its audience as well as by adopting new technologies to remain close to them. KBS currently runs 2 terrestrial television networks, 7 radio networks, 2 mobile digital terrestrial video channels, 4 cable networks and 1 television channel for international viewers.

   For more information, visit http://english.kbs.co.kr/    About VMark, Inc.  

VMark is a technology company whose objective is to transform the television viewing experience by bringing technology that has demonstrated value on the Internet to the TV. VMark has developed proprietary scene-based video solutions that enable personalization and social interaction on all video platforms. These solutions creative innovative advertising opportunities that better address the needs of content owners and advertisers than traditional television advertising. Learn more by visiting VMark's website at http://www.vmark.tv/

dotTV is a trademark of dotTV LLC. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

    Media Contact:    Brett Gaines    Executive VP and GM of US Operations    VMark, Inc.    +1 (408) 483-6226    brett.gaines@vmark.tv  

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: VMark, Inc.

CONTACT: Brett Gaines, Executive VP and GM of US Operations of VMark,
Inc., +1-408-483-6226, brett.gaines@vmark.tv

Web site: http://www.vmark.tv/
http://english.kbs.co.kr/

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Profile: International Entertainment