Reality television and social media have combined to give most everyone a shot at starring in their own show, no matter how brief or obscure. A Wayne-based multimedia company has just released a new digital product that allows people to insert themselves–as well as their friends, family or co-workers–in a variety of media.
ToonUps‘ YouStar ToonUps allows users to add their own photos, voice and text to animations inserted in emails, e-cards, slide presentations, social media sites, web pages and learning programs. ToonUps has other enhancements rolling out this week and in the coming weeks, including customizable e-cards that allows for personalized text and placement on social media sites and a facelift for its website. The company is also making significant investments in search engine optimization, email campaigns and social media.
“I think what we’re seeing is the entire medium is starting to explode,” Hansell says.
Ten years ago, Hansell and a partner started ToonUps originally focused on animations for corporate training presentations. While the applications have grown along with technology, the tone of the animations–and the humor used to attract users–has remained “suitable for work” while staying current. Recent themes include President Obama’s birthday, Dancing with the Stars, and Paula Abdul’s retirement from American Idol. Hansell points out that cartoons, like Disney’s Mickey Mouse, flourished during the Great Depression as a means of escape, and believes today’s animations can have a similar effect during the current economic downturn.
“We’re probably moving our examples in a more and more positive direction,” says Hansell. “We think this has a very positive message.”
Source: Ray Hansell, ToonUps
Writer: Joe Petrucci
