YOUTUBE continues to actualize the digital multimedia/video revolution that has been long-coming, and about which Mitra Creative’s team has been aware for many years.

Many of the current innovations in the communications applications and true socialization of video and other rich media were pioneered some two decades ago in incubation centers like the MIT Media Lab (now “The Media Lab”), the NYU Tisch School of the Arts and many more. Our team observed the budding of this revolution and deeply respect the empowerment in this regard that came from the visionary YouTube.

In an article published today, YouTube has taken a step that those of us in the digital/interactive space, as well as in the filmmaking, multimedia software development and other spaces had eagerly awaited and hoped for. The “video sharing site” (that’s what people call YouTube, though it is clearly much more) has just introduced a dedicated “channel”, called a “Screening Room” for Independent Filmmakers. Read the AP/Yahoo! article about the new YouTube Indie Film Screening Room by writer, Ryan Nakashima.

This is a very important step. It means the loosening of the controls that have been a stronghold on creating, distributing and socializing some of the most important of all media. Independent films, for example, took home the largest number of Academy Awards® in the 2007 ceremonies (2006 films). YouTube’s move better enables the “voice” of independent film production.

We are excited!

VISIT THE YOUTUBE INDEPENDENT FILM SCREENING ROOM: http://www.youtube.com/ytscreeningroom.

It was announced today that, after three years of development, Mozilla will release Firefox 3, a refreshed version of their popular browser which has become a serious competitor to Microsoft’s Internet Explorer .

According to an article from Newsfactor.com by AP writer, Nedra Pickler, which was published today: “Firefox already has more than 18 percent of the global market, according to Net Applications. With the release of Firefox 3, Mozilla could see a boost in downloads and market share. Microsoft’s next version of Internet Explorer won’t come to market until later this year.” According to the article, the major focus of the release is on security and personalization.

It will be interesting to see how this new release will fit into the “browsersphere”.

Several months of talks of an acquisition of the pioneering search engine, Yahoo!, by Microsoft ended today. On the same day, an announcement was made that Yahoo! signed a deal with the other giant, Yahoo!’s to-date rival, Google. Reports on the deal are that Google ads will now appear in certain Yahoo! Search Results.

The next couple of months should be very interesting to watch.

Story from CNN Money, Thursday, June 12, 2008.

The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, the City of New York and the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting celebrate INTERNET WEEK NEW YORK 2008. In the words of IADAS: “Internet Week New York is a week-long festival of events saluting New York’s thriving Internet industry and the many talented companies, organizations and innovators creating the future of online media!”

Numerous events are scheduled throughout Internet Week, culminating in the 12th ANNUAL WEBBY AWARDS Gala. We at Mitra Creative congratulate this year’s innovative, creative Webby winners!