This weekend is Playlist Live and guess who’s going to be there?  YOUNOW.COM!  Let me fill you in on what Playlist Live is and what we plan on doing there. 

Playlist Live is a three-day convention that brings new media producers and new media fans together to celebrate the online community.  In a nutshell, Playlist Live is a place where famous YouTubers and their fans can meet and interact.  Playlist Live will also feature live music, interviews, and autograph signings. The convention kicks off this Friday March 23rd until Sunday March 25th and will be held at the Buena Vista Palace in Orlando Florida. 

                             

We will have our own booth at Playlist Live and attendees can expect a whole lot of fun! Representing YouNow will be Adi Sideman - CEO, Dorian Dargan - Operations Manager, Dan Gilormo - Content Manager and our hostess Cody-Ann Palmer.  We will be giving away stickers and t-shirts and those who stop by can broadcast live! Saturday and Sunday will be all about performances and meetups but Friday is solely for business and YouNow’s very own Adi Sideman will be giving a talk Two Way Television is Here.

                         

Be sure to stay tuned this Friday through Sunday for a peek at what Playlist Live has to offer.

Next Big Thing Finals - iPad 2 Winner


Remember our Next Big Thing Contest, where you guys could submit your creative ideas to make YouNow even MORE awesome for a chance to win prizes?  And remember how there were so many awesome ideas that we had to choose finalists? I bet you’re wondering who won that coveted iPad 2, huh?
 

The YouNow community submitted over 200 entries, all with amazing and radical ideas for how to change YouNow for the better.

The most popular ideas were:
- a gaming channel
- 1 vote per minute
- multi-user broadcasting
- a How to / Tutorial Channel 

Our CEO, Adi Sideman, YouNow chose “the ability for multiple users to broadcast together” as the top idea. The following contestants, all whose ideas related to multi-user broadcasting, went head-to-head, explaining their ideas to Adi in 3 minute presentations:

Slater The Alien
Connor Halsey
Kirsty Driver
Hannah Johnson
Inja Wollatz 

Each contestant did a great job, however the award for best presentation (along with an iPad 2) went to Kirsty Driver! Her polished and thoughtful presentation was well laid out and imaginative. Check it out below:

Hannah Johnson, who gave an equally impressive presentation complete with a hand-made mockup drawing of her design, was a runner up and won a $100 Apple gift card.

The other contestants won hoodies for their excellent efforts!

Stay tuned for more from YouNow.com! 

YouNow Broadcasters Don Their Dancing Shoes

Yesterday we hosted our first ever DANCE OFF and it was ROCKIN! Pre-screened contestants, YouNow regulars and other walk-ons all danced their pants off… and some literally! 

Spandy Andy, an international dance entertainer, danced to 80’s classics like “Everybody Dance Now,” and Johnni Riddlin did his famous “Sexy and I Know It” rendition… complete with a draw-on six pack and the Truffle Shuffle. 

Erica Grau, the winner of the popular vote, danced with a free and natural bravado, with hip hop dance influences. She won the heart of the audience, and gained more than 25 fans in an hour!

Check out our winners below, and be sure to catch our next Dance Off - stay tuned!

Next Big Thing Contest Update


Are you wondering where you stand in our Next Big Thing Contest? HERE’S ANOTHER UPDATE, as of Monday, January 30th, 2012.

The 20 entries with the most votes: (And no, we’re not telling you how many votes they have… 2 days left so get your friends voting for you!)

Abi Mills
Jack Scarth
Connor Halsey
Sam Pepper
Dan Summerfield
Andy Jowett
Joanna Russell
James Jones
Cale Gaster
Izzy Strawbridge
Oli White
Billie Stone Ralston
Krissy Hunt
Slater Alien
Grace McNamara
Adam Shallcross
Fiona MacLennan
Tobias Alderson
Marina Joyce
Corey Middleton

Prizes:

1. Get 50+ votes on your idea and get a limited-edition pack of the first-ever collectible YouNow buttons
2. Get 100+ votes on your idea and get a special-edition YouNow hoodie
3. The 3 contestants whose ideas receive the most votes will also win the Kigu onesie of their choice!
4. Upon reaching 4,000 likes on YouNow’s facebook page by February 1, 2012 at 5pm EST, the top idea will win an iPad 2!

Final Note:
The key to this contest is spreading the word about your genius ideas, and getting your friends and family to support. Remember, the YouNow Facebook Page must reach 4,000 likes before February 1, 2012 for an iPad to be awarded… so get your friends to like us – we’re almost there!

Win an iPad 2, Kigu Onesie, and more with YouNow’s “Next Big Thing” Contest

Have you been itching to tell us your creative ideas? Ever feel like you know what channels YouNow should create? Do you have a game-changing idea that would make YouNow even MORE awesome???

This is your chance to get your voice heard!

How to Enter:
1. Click “Enter Contest” button on the YouNow Facebook Page tab entitled “Next Big Thing Contest”
2. Complete the entry form with your first and last name, email address and date of birth
3. Submit your genius idea for “YouNow’s Next Big Thing”
4. Rally your friends, family and the community behind your idea after January 25th, and get as many votes as possible on your comment!

WHAT WILL I WIN?

1. Get 50+ votes on your idea and get a limited-edition pack of the first-ever collectible YouNow buttons

2. Get 100+ votes on your idea and get a special-edition YouNow hoodie

3. The 3 contestants whose ideas receive the most votes will also win the Kigu onesie of their choice!

4. Upon reaching 4,000 likes on YouNow’s facebook page by February 1, 2012 at 5pm EST, the top idea will win an iPad 2!

Timing:
1. Submit Your Entry: (Jan 18 – Jan 25)
2. Public Vote: Get your friends, family and even strangers to vote on your idea! (Jan 25 – Feb 1)
3. Judging: The judges will tally votes and review the entries. (Feb 1 – Feb 3)
4. Winners will be announced by Feb 4!

Final Note:
The key to this contest is spreading the word about your genius ideas, and getting your friends and family to support. Remember, the YouNow Facebook Page must reach 4,000 likes before February 1, 2012 for an iPad to be awarded. So ENTER NOW and spread the word!