Dude, You’re Getting on CNN Exchange

Last week, CNN Exchange opened up as the news network's effort to plug into citizen journalism; this week, computer maker Dell plugs in as CNN Exchange's exclusive sponsor.

Last week, CNN announced CNN Exchange, a new effort to tap into citizen journalism and user generated content by featuring the best stories, audio, and video submitted by CNN viewers. This week, computer maker Dell has inked a deal as CNN Exchange’s charter sponsor.

“Emerging technology is a fast-paced marketplace,” said Joe Dugan, senior vice president of CNN Digital Ad Sales in a statement. “Our ad sales team reacts quickly to new network initiatives so we can connect the needs of premiere clients, like Dell, with these new digital advertising opportunities. CNN Exchange allows viewers to personalize the news and we are pleased to be partnering with Dell to bring their message to this tech savvy, involved audience.”

Under the deal, Dell becomes the exclusive advertiser on the CNN Exchange site, with featured ad placement on the main site, a synced banner ad on the video player, and sponsorship of the “Quick Vote” feature. Perhaps most intriguing, though, is that Dell also gets a 30 second pre-roll advertisement embedded in CNN Exchange video clips, including CNN All News, the CNN Exchange Playlist, and also on all user-submitted content. Yes, you read that right: if your video is featured on CNN Exchange—and, remember, you signed away your rights to it when you submitted—Dell gets to put an ad in front of it. (That might keep video submissions from the Mac community to a minimum!)

Dell’s sponsorship of CNN Exchange runs through October, 2006.