MIPTV 2009 Content 360 today announces that digital creators, interactive agencies and producers will have until 19 January 2009 to enter into the cross-media international competition, Content 360. The 46th MIPTV will be held in Cannes, France, from 30 March to 3 April 2009.

This will be the first time that MSN participates with its own category in the cross-media competition. MSN will award the winner an amount of up to $10,000 in development funds to help produce, execute and distribute the winning original video on MSN. MSN joins the BBC and the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) among companies that call for new content ideas for the 4th Content 360 international competition.

"The Content 360 competition opens a global window of opportunity for MSN to uncover original online ideas that integrate MSN Video and other Microsoft platforms such as Xbox 360, Xbox Live, Zune, MSN Mobile, Windows Media Center, Windows Live Messenger, or Live Search," said Joe Michaels, senior director for MSN. "We're excited about what we are going to see this year as we continue to develop MSN Originals through this competition and through our existing partnerships."

The BBC, partner of the Content 360 competition since its inception in 2006, is this year seeking creative ideas in 3 categories, Factual Content via your Mobile, Engaging Teenagers Locally; and Entertainment TV over Broadband.

Highlighting the continued importance of environmental issues at MIPTV, the new 2009 competition category created by the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) seeks co-production ideas for compelling interactive documentaries with a "green" theme that capitalize on multiple platforms and demonstrate the creative and democratic nature of digital media. The winning project will get funding up to 12,000€.

With additional competition partners and categories to be announced shortly, organiser Reed MIDEM is expecting a record participation in this 4th year of the competition. "In these tough times, the role of Content 360 is especially valuable in supporting innovation and bringing new media partners together for business" said MIPTV's Director of Digital Media, Ted Baracos.

Content 360 finalists will be announced by mid-February and will promote their projects at MIPTV during a series of pitching sessions in front of a panel of key decision-makers. The competition winners will be announced on April 1, during "The Content 360 Zapping Show".

Content 360 competition categories and rules are available on
http://www.miptv.com/en-gb/content-360.cfm