Zannel Teams With Universal Pictures to Promote ''Knocked Up'' to Mobile Audiences Nationwide

MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zannel, Inc., the first large-scale viral mobile entertainment network that provides the easiest way to create, experience and share content on any mobile device, and Universal Pictures have teamed to promote the highly-anticipated film “Knocked Up,” which arrives in theaters on Friday, June 1. Consumers can access the “Knocked Up” channel and contest on Zannel by visiting www.zannel.com/knockedup or directly from their mobile phones at wap.zannel.com.

Written and directed by Judd Apatow, writer/director/producer of “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” and starring Katherine Heigl, Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann, “Knocked Up” is a comic look at the best thing that will ever ruin your best laid plans: parenthood. Zannel will offer content from the movie to mobile subscribers via a custom “Knocked Up” channel which includes trailers, clips, TV spots and production stills. Using Zannel’s Pass-it-On™ feature, movie fans can send the content to anyone with a mobile phone or email account.

Also part of the custom “Knocked Up” experience is the “Show Us Your Moves” contest, inspired by the wild night that brings the film’s two main characters together. To enter, users must upload video or pictures of their hottest dance moves from their mobile phones or via the Web. Zannel community members can then vote for their favorites, and Zannel will select the three winners that demonstrate the best dance moves. Prizes include a Helio Ocean phone and cash towards a one-year paid plan, a Best Buy gift card and a Universal Pictures movie gift pack.

“Universal Pictures recognizes the tremendous marketing opportunities in mobile entertainment, and this relationship with Zannel provides us with a compelling viral network with which to market and promote ‘Knocked Up,’ said Doug Neil, senior vice president, digital marketing, Universal Pictures. “We are very excited about this new, easily accessible and inherently viral way to distribute content and engage our target demographic.”

The “Knocked Up” promotion is a showcase for the type of mobile marketing and awareness Zannel makes possible to content creators and producers – both large and small. Through the relationship, Zannel brings Universal Pictures a direct channel into mobile distribution, while Universal Pictures provides compelling, funny content and offers a unique way to engage the Zannel community.

“Given Universal Pictures’ commitment to making great films, Zannel is pleased to team with the studio to promote ‘Knocked Up,’ said Adam Zbar, co-founder and chief executive officer of Zannel. “In particular, we’re excited to be the viral mobile marketing partner for the theatrical release of the film, giving fans the unique opportunity to view, share and comment with their friends on ‘Knocked Up’s’ hilarious video clips and images — on their mobile phones and the Web.”

About Zannel

Zannel, Inc. is a new mobile media network that provides the easiest way to create, experience, and share content on any mobile device. Founded by the team that built the largest mobile media platform in North America, Zannel has developed the first large-scale, multimodal distribution system, which allows users to seamlessly share entertaining videos, photos and social contests on mobile phones and the web. Zannel is backed by U.S. Venture Partners and Palomar Ventures. For more information, visit www.zannel.com.

The names of companies mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective owners and should be treated as such. Zannel, “Zillions of Channels” and the Zannel logo are trademarks of Zannel, Inc.