ChasNote

As Brian Morrissey at AdWeek puts it, “Brands Grab Web Video’s Long Tail.” In this case the brand is Microsoft (the charity-based I’M Initiative) and the long-tail video is Boing Boing TV.

“Xeni Jardin isn’t exactly a household name, but she has a sizable following. As one of the creators of the popular blog Boing Boing, Jardin’s a bona fide Web celebrity.

“Now, Microsoft is hoping she can lend some small-wattage star power to its ‘I’m Initiative,’ which promotes Microsoft instant-messaging and e-mail by tying them to social causes. Through a deal brokered by Federated Media, Microsoft is underwriting episodes of a new Jardin-produced Web series, ‘Boing Boing TV World,’ which gives snapshots of international cultures.”

Playboy is out with its list of the hottest web bloggers. It’s times like these where I’m especially thankful that I have a formal business relationship with Boing Boing’s Xeni Jardin (one of the nine), otherwise it would make for an awkward conversation with my wife as to why I’m visiting Playboy.com.

Clearly Playboy is hip to the Web 2.0 ethos: They’re inviting readers to pick the next online playmate!

As of this posting, Brigitte Dale is leading the voting.