It’s been 10 days or so since VidCon 2014 at the Anaheim Convention Center and I am still feeling inspired! As “cons” go, I I think VidCon is the most fun and educational! Sure there were thousands of screaming teen fans and the lines were massive but it was also cool to walk among so many creative minds of all ages. Thanks to YouTube, anyone can communicate, entertain and inspire through online video. The halls of Anaheim Convention Center were filled with this pioneer spirit.
I met Grumpy Cat and interviewed the Fine Brothers. I missed the keynote by VidCon founders John and Hank Green, the former currently enjoying mainstream fame as the author of the book upon which the hit movie “The Fault Is In Our Stars.” Of course, YouTubers know them as the Vlog Brothers. But I learned a lot from the panel discussions and Q & A sessions which I will share with you in future blog posts.
For now, I have to tell you about The Friskies competition. Because CATS.
Friskies Spokescat Grumpy Cat and Internet Celebrities The Fine Bros. Kick Off the 3rd Annual “The Friskies”; the Renowned Awards for Best Internet Cat Videos of the Year. The announcement was held at the Arena during Day 2 VidCon and people went WILD. After Grumpy Cat went on stage to make her appearance, I was lucky enough to be one of a few members of the press who got to meet the cat-superstar in person!
But even more interesting, I got to interview online content producers extraordinaire Benny and Rafi Fine aka the Fine Brothers, known mostly for their successful viral video series “Kids React” Blog post to follow!
Here’s the latest Kids React video:
Back to the Friskies Contest:
Now through July 21, 2014, cat video creators are encouraged to capture their cat’s funny, strange, cute and epic moments and enter “The Friskies” at www.TheFriskies.com, Vine or Instagram for the opportunity to win a cash prize up to $25,000.
“Cat videos have become a pillar of online pop culture,” said Shaun Belongie, Friskies Senior Brand Manager. “We started ‘The Friskies’ in 2012 because we thought it was time for cat videos to be recognized and validated as an art form and we’re thrilled to celebrate the phenomenon of cat videos and the cats who inspire them for the third year in a row.”
Cat video creators can upload videos up to one minute in length at www.TheFriskies.com, or on Instagram and Vine, in one of four categories – Funny, Res-cute, Epic and Strange. If submitting a cat video on Instagram or Vine, use the hashtag #TheFriskies and the category hashtag that the video falls under – #Funny, #Rescute, #Strange or #Epic – to make sure the video is properly submitted.
The category captains, who also happen to be famous YouTubers, Grace Helbig (#funny), Jesse Wellens and NylahKitty (#rescute), Will Braden and Henri Le Chat Noir (#strange), and Zach King (#Epic)will help review all entries and narrow them down to 12 finalists, three in each of the four categories. The finalists will be announced on August 11, 2014. Fans will then be able to vote (limit one vote per entry per person per day) for their favorite video online at www.TheFriskies.com from August 11 to September 8, 2014. During the voting phase, consumers can help raise money and food for shelter organizations. Every vote equals one can of Friskies wet cat food donated to 10 select shelter partners, up to 250,000 cans. Additionally, with direction from category captains Friskies will donate over $20,000 to partnering shelters.
For more info, visit www.TheFriskies.com
