VIBE Magazine Chooses KickApps' Social Media Platform to Power Its Search for the Next Great Rapper

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--KickApps Corporation (http://www.kickapps.com/), the leader in hosted social media platforms, today announced that it was selected by VIBE Magazine (http://www.vibe.com), the preeminent brand in urban music and culture, to provide the social media and viral video functionality for the VIBE Verses Rap Battle contest (www.vibeverses.com). Sponsored by the new AT&T, the contest challenges aspiring rap artists to submit videos performing their original lyrics over pre-selected music tracks. The ultimate winner, to be selected by votes from other VIBE Verses community members, will get a $10,000 cash prize, a full page profile in VIBE Magazine and a recording contract from Actual Eyes Media (http://www.actualeyesmedia.com).

“Using the KickApps platform has allowed VIBE to leverage the power of social media to build a dynamic, vibrant community in a short period of time”

Since the contest launched in May, over 12,000 members have joined the VIBE Verses community, uploading over 2,700 pieces of media and creating more than 500 videos that have been viewed over 472,000 times – and counting. Community members have also cast more than 100,000 votes overall. The contest homepage features the 10 highest-rated video submissions and a special section called Daily Battle, in which two rappers face off in a one-on-one test of skills.

"The response has been phenomenal,” said John DeMarchi, General Manager, VIBE Digital Media, “The KickApps platform was easy for us to deploy and, more importantly, it’s easy for VIBE Verses contestants and members to use. It’s allowed hundreds of talented, new urban artists to be heard, seen and promoted. If you’ve got the will, and if you bring your game, VIBE Verses – powered by the KickApps Platform - can help you make your fame. We're eager to work with the KickApps platform to grow the VIBE Verses community even further.”

VIBE is the latest in a series of major media and entertainment companies to deploy KickApps, including BET, Universal Music/Interscope, Scripps Networks, and the Arena Football League. With over 3,250 deployments worldwide, the KickApps platform has also proven its ability to grow audiences and increase revenue from incremental advertising inventory among smaller publishers and sites of all sizes.

“Using the KickApps platform has allowed VIBE to leverage the power of social media to build a dynamic, vibrant community in a short period of time,” said Alex Blum, CEO of KickApps. “Our platform makes it easier than ever for companies to drive rapid audience growth and participation in the context of their own sites and brands—where it matters most.”

About KickApps Corporation

KickApps provides a broad range of applications that enable social media functionality on any Web site, dramatically increasing audience growth, fostering deep consumer relationships and creating new revenue opportunities. The company’s platform combines the scalability and flexibility required by major brands with the ease of implementation necessary for smaller, independent properties. Formed in 2005 and headquartered in New York, NY, thousands of companies rely on KickApps, including Scripps Networks Interactive, BET, Kraft Foods, and the Arena Football League. KickApps is backed by Spark Capital and Prism VentureWorks, and its Board members include former Liberty Digital and E! Entertainment CEO Jarl Mohn and former MTV and NFL President Sara Levinson. For more information, visit www.kickapps.com.

About VIBE

The VIBE Media Group is a leading music/lifestyle media company that publishes the award-winning VIBE magazine, the preeminent brand in urban and music culture, which was founded by Quincy Jones in 1993. Additional VIBE Media Group properties include VIBE VIXEN magazine, which was launched in 2005 and reaches over 4.5 million women; VIBE.com, a website that draws 1.4 MM unique visitors a month (Nielsen Netratings, May, 2007); Comcast’s VIBE Video-on-Demand channel; The VIBE Awards, and the wireless content service mVibe.