The Improv Founders Launch “Up Yours” Comedy Contest Web Site and Mobile Apps

Legendary Comedy Club Owners Create New Web Site and Talent Search Competition Utilizing Digital and Social Media Platforms

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Budd Friedman and Mark Lonow, the owners and founders of The Improv, the legendary comedy clubs have launched an innovative program to develop The Improv into the largest Online comedy platform in the world, incorporating Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and other social media with a content driven website and video integrated Mobile Apps.

“The Improv has been a comedy institution for over 48 years”

Through these applications, The Improv will use technology and social media to find the next great comedian with an online voting competition entitled, “Up Yours” (uploading videos). The comic contest, located at www.improvcc.com, runs through early 2012, with the finals taking place at Harrah’s Casino & Resort in Las Vegas. The winner will receive $25,000 worth of bookings at The Improv clubs at Harrah’s in Las Vegas and Harvey’s in Lake Tahoe.

The “Up Yours” contest will provide aspiring comedians the opportunity to upload their entry material on the www.improvcc.com site or with the “Up Yours” mobile app for iPhone / Android. The comedians can then share it on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc. for the world to come and vote for them.

A voting system will be in place through the web site and other social networks, which will include celebrity judges from the world of comedy for the finals. The contest will also positively affect The Improv comedy clubs around the country by bringing attention and awareness to their locale’s and comedians.

The winner will be provided a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet with APA Talent Agency and a chance to perform on the Improv stage. The performance will be taped and shared on the site for millions of people to watch and possibly become an overnight sensation.

“The Improv has been a comedy institution for over 48 years,” Friedman explains. “Mark (Lonow) and I want to leverage the constantly evolving digital world to allow comedy lovers the opportunity to enjoy what the Improv has always offered its fans and find our next great comedic talent.”

Friedman and Lonow have partnered with PixoFactor Entertainment, a complete video gaming and entertainment content development company based in Royal Oak, Mich., on the innovative program to develop the content driven website and video integrated Mobile Apps.

The Improv, which opened its doors in 1963, was the birthplace of many famous comedians including Jay Leno, Billy Crystal, Richard Pryor Jerry Seinfeld, Larry David and thousands of others.