Sundance Channel Launches 'The Eco-mmunity Map' by Customizing Google Map Technology to Connect Green Enthusiasts From Around the World

Sundance Channel Launches 'The Eco-mmunity Map' by Customizing Google Map Technology to Connect Green Enthusiasts From Around the World

Online Destination Is Dedicated to Building a Community of Like-Minded Eco-Advocates

NEW YORK, July 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Sundance Channel today announced the launch of The Eco-mmunity Map, a new interactive web feature to complement and extend the reach of the cable net's weekly environmental programming destination, THE GREEN. The Eco-mmunity Map allows users to list and search for green individuals, businesses, special attractions and action points anywhere in the world through a customized version of the Google Maps(TM) tool. The Eco-mmunity Map serves as the foundation for ECO-MMUNITY, Sundance Channel's online environmental forum featuring blogs, news, discussions and other user-generated eco information. The Eco-mmunity Map is located at www.sundancechannel.com/map.

The goal of the map is to serve as an innovative social networking platform that facilitates identification, discovery and communication among eco-conscious individuals, businesses and environmental supporters. Whether looking to find a farmers' market in your neighborhood, announce a new eco-product to the market, mobilize others to attend an event or rally or alert the community about an environmental hazard, visitors to The Eco-mmunity Map will have the unique opportunity to share their knowledge and connect with active members of the virtual green movement, no matter what their shade of green. Notable markers for places and businesses include: the collapsing ice shelves in the Antarctic peninsula, a solar powered dry cleaner in Chicago and a bakery in New York City with walls made from wheat, among others.

"The public is increasingly aware of ecological issues. People are looking for forums to share information, exchange ideas and meet others who are concerned about the planet's future," said Christopher Barry, Senior Vice President, Digital Media and Business Strategy, Sundance Channel. "Sundance Channel's goal in launching The Eco-mmunity Map is to provide a user friendly platform that energizes and empowers people -- on both a local and global level -- to share information, create change and become a part of our ECO-MMUNITY."

"The Eco-mmunity Map captures the essence of what we hope our Google geospatial solutions offer -- reliable and scalable interactive platforms for individuals to share visual and geographic information that is important to them and that helps them change their community, their city and their world for the better," said Noah Doyle, product manager for Google Maps for Enterprise.

The Eco-mmunity Map will allow users to input, post and search for green information based on four key category "markers" -- Individuals, Businesses, Green Action Points and Green Attractions and Events. By posting markers with detailed descriptions, contact information, related web links, comments, ratings and photos, users have the opportunity to share their knowledge and suggestions with others from around the world.

Types of Map Markers:

Individual -- Where individuals can tout or communicate their own green activities, as well as solicit information from other like-minded individuals, i.e., Jones family documents their composting project

Business -- Where companies can connect with their customers, announce their new programs and services, i.e., launch of a new eco-product

Green Action Point -- A forum for communicating green change -- where action is needed or has taken place, i.e., park that was cleaned by a local group

Green Attraction and Event -- An area to highlight green events from around the world including conferences, festivals, parks, landmarks or local meetings, i.e., farmers market, rallies, green Festivals

Additionally, ECO-MMUNITY users will have the opportunity to create a free, renewable-energy powered email account through ThinkHost (e.g., johnsmith@eco-mmunitymail.com). Members that sign up for the green email service will also receive coupons to create their own earth-friendly web site powered by 100% renewable energy.

About Sundance Channel

Under the creative direction of Robert Redford, Sundance Channel is the television destination for independent-minded viewers seeking something different. Bold, uncompromising and irreverent, Sundance Channel offers audiences a diverse and engaging selection of films, documentaries, and original programs, all unedited and commercial free. Launched in 1996, Sundance Channel is a venture of NBC Universal, CBS and Robert Redford. Sundance Channel operates independently of the non-profit Sundance Institute and the Sundance Film Festival, but shares the overall Sundance mission of encouraging artistic freedom of expression. Sundance Channel's web address is www.sundancechannel.com.

Press Contacts:

Sarah Eaton Katie Lanegran
SVP, Public Relations Senior Director, Publicity
Sundance Channel Sundance Channel
(212)708-8043 (212) 708-8044
sarah.eaton@sundancechannel.comkatie.lanegran@sundancechannel.com

Mara Engel
OrganicWorks Marketing
(212)253.0474
mara@organicworksmarketing.com

Source: Sundance Channel

CONTACT: Sarah Eaton, SVP, Public Relations, +1-212-708-8043,
sarah.eaton@sundancechannel.com, or Katie Lanegran, Senior Director,
Publicity, +1-212-708-8044, katie.lanegran@sundancechannel.com, both of
Sundance Channel; or Mara Engel, OrganicWorks Marketing, +1-212-253-0474,
mara@organicworksmarketing.com

Web site:

http://www.sundancechannel.com/map
http://www.sundancechannel.com/

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