Tastemade Announces Launch Of Global Food Lifestyle Network For Digital Platforms

Tastemade Announces Launch Of Global Food Lifestyle Network For Digital Platforms

Launch coincides with major financial investment from Redpoint Ventures

SANTA MONICA, Calif., March 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Tastemade Inc., whose mission is to connect the world through food, today announced a $5.3 million Series A round of funding to support its launch of a global food multi-channel network for digital platforms. With over 100 food channels in the Americas, Europe and Asia, Tastemade's diverse programming reflects its commitment to build a scalable network of culinary tastemakers who share a passion for creating amazing programming for a global community of food lovers.

"A generation ago, the cable industry launched category-defining brands in food and lifestyle programming, my co-founders, Steven Kydd, Joe Perez and I believe a similar opportunity exists today on YouTube," said Larry Fitzgibbon of Tastemade. "By bringing diverse culinary voices together into a vertically-focused community, and enabling them to share their passion and expertise on a broader scale, we are creating the category-defining brand for food programming on digital platforms."

By cultivating partnerships with some of the most popular culinary influencers on YouTube and engaging food communities through social media, Tastemade has already curated the largest food-focused audience on YouTube. In the month of January alone, over 9 million consumers generated 160 years of watch time (viewing time in minutes).

"The emergence of a food-focused, multi-channel network is a key indicator of the growth of the YouTube ecosystem," said Alex Carloss, Global Head of Entertainment Partnerships at YouTube. "It is very encouraging to see proven entrepreneurs like the Tastemade founders bring their vision and experience to YouTube to build audience networks that can provide benefits to creators and scale for advertisers."

Tastemade's global network includes the #1 most-subscribed food channels on YouTube in the UK, Australia, France, and Brazil. To complement this programming, Tastemade is launching a slate of original content on its own YouTube channel. Each week, the

Tastemade channel will present the following themed programming:


-- TASTEMAKER SERIES - The first series,Thirsty For..., themed around a
modern take on video recipes, can already be seen on YouTube.
-- COOKING SHOWS - in the age of digital food communities, Tastemade is
collaborating with YouTube's top food tastemakers to deliver compelling
programming that drives social conversation. Launching now is
SortedFood@ The Table
-- FOOD TRAVEL SHOW - in conjunction with top global food experts,
Tastemade will bring the world of food to your screen. On YouTube
now:Perennial Plate Real Food World Tour
Many of these shows will be filmed at Tastemade's flagship production space in Southern California. Designed to drive high-quality production and inspire collaboration, the 7000 sq ft Tastemade studio will also serve as a center for creative innovation to test new content formats.

Redpoint's backing of Tastemade is led by Geoff Yang, who has been sharply focused on technology and media companies from TiVo to Netflix and, most recently, Machinima. "Tastemade's vision of enabling creative food talent with efficient production and network promotion through their proprietary technology platform is well-timed as the world of content production and consumption continues its rapid evolution," said Yang.

About Tastemade Inc.:

Tastemade, based in Santa Monica, CA, is a global media company with a mission to connect the world through food. Through its platform, studio and network of culinary talent around the world, Tastemade produces a wide range of programming designed to inspire people to learn and spread their passion for food. Most importantly, we love food. (www.tastemade.com)

Contact: Rachel Krupa, Krupa Consulting

rachel@krupaconsulting.com/ 323-656-6995

SOURCE Tastemade Inc.

Tastemade Inc.

Web Site: http://www.tastemade.com


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