FremantleMedia Sets Up Music-Based Fan Community

LONDON: urFANtastic, a new online community that features user-generated content from music fans, has been jointly developed by digital outfit All-Leo and FMX, FremantleMedia’s central new-media division.

urFANtastic centers around a community of fans competing with each other by paying homage to their favorite artists. Fans score points for their level of interaction on the site and for the material they create. Points are awarded for content, ranging from comments and photographic materials, to creative projects such as works of fiction, art, handicrafts, tribute poems. The most-active and creative users on the site will be rewarded with special status badges. The more activity that fans undertake around a particular artist, the higher that artist will rise in the urFANtastic artist charts.

Richard Vargas, the senior VP of development and production for FMX, said: “2009 has so far been a very exciting year for FMX with the launch of online drama Freak and the recent promotions within the team. I am delighted to today announce, in collaboration with All-Leo, the launch of yet another great project. urFANtastic is part of FremantleMedia’s ongoing efforts to create inspiring entertainment for audiences across all platforms. The urFANtastic site is a unique forum for fans to come together to compete and share their creativity and devotion to their idols. It is one of a range of new-media projects we’re pursuing at FremantleMedia as we look to apply our creative talent and production skills to cross-platform opportunities.”

Howard Wilmot, the director of All-Leo, added: “We believe urFANtastic is a genuinely unique website that will excite casual and committed fans alike and really benefits from our unparalleled expertise in developing and managing fan communities for the music industry coupled with FremantleMedia’s brilliant ability to create the most-talked about entertainment experiences in the world. We are thrilled to be working with Richard and his team. urFANtastic is the first of various online entertainment ventures All-Leo has in the works.”