SAN FRANCISCO, December 14 /CNW/ - GoFish Corporation (OTCBB:GOFH - News), a leading online video network which is transforming how online video content is produced, distributed and experienced, today announced that American Idol Taylor Hicks is the first celebrity to be featured on its new online program, Artist Voices. Premiering today, and following Tuesday's launch of Hicks' self-titled album on Arista Records, the show enables Taylor Hicks fans to communicate directly with Hicks by leveraging the wildly popular medium of user-generated video. The show also offers exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and an inside look at Hicks on the road.

Hick's talents as a musician gained national attention when the artist competed on American Idol in early 2006, culminating with over 63 million voters electing Hicks the winner of the show's fifth season. Hicks' loyal fan base, known collectively as 'The Soul Patrol', quickly sent his first single to the number one position on the Billboard chart soon after he took the American Idol title.

Building on the momentum of Hicks' popularity, GoFish today launched a two-month online video series as part of the company's Artist Voices program, which will feature ten weekly installments that offer Hicks' fans a rare opportunity to interact directly with him through the GoFish user-generated video platform. The series features exclusive footage of Hicks as he promotes his new album. Whether touring on the road, rehearsing, taking time off, or interacting with fans, Artist Voices will capture Hicks in some of his most candid moments and offer fans a unique glimpse into the artist's life.

"Interacting with people who are interested in my music is hugely important to me," said Hicks, speaking on the subject of the show. "On GoFish, I get to know my fans on a more intimate basis because their videos tell me so much about them. It's a unique way to get one-on-one time with fans, something all artists would like to have more of."

With Artist Voices, GoFish is pioneering a unique approach to fostering interaction between artists and their fans. As part of the program, members of the GoFish community can pose questions and offer comments to Hicks in the form of short videos submitted online. Hicks in turn will respond and engage in dialogue with his fan base on a weekly basis. The video submissions from fans, Hicks' responses, as well as new lifestyle footage, will be posted to the GoFish site every week, allowing fans to create a more intimate connection with the artist.

"We're thrilled that the debut show on Artist Voices features Taylor Hicks," said Michael Downing, GoFish founder and CEO. "I'm a huge fan of Taylor, and this first installment of Artist Voices will deliver an amazingly unique way for his massive fan base to connect directly with him on a weekly basis."

The Artist Voices program, found only on GoFish.com, was made possible in large part due to the company's partnership with The Firm, an innovative Hollywood management company that represents Hicks. Announced last week, GoFish has also partnered with Mandalay Alliance Entertainment, which in addition to The Firm, will ensure that sought-after celebrities continue to be featured on the Artist Voices online program.

Source: GoFish Corporation
Date Published: December 14, 2006
URL: http://biz.yahoo.com/cnw/061214/gofish.html?.v=1