Players Directory Launches Expanded Online Version; Signs Exclusive Agreement with Baseline StudioSystems

LOS ANGELES (October 31, 2007) – Players Directory – www.playersdirectory.com – is ready for its close up. After a comprehensive re-design – utilizing cutting-edge technology – the new site offers an expanded version of its former self, and has further established the site as the decisive resource for the entire casting industry.

“For 70 years the Players Directory book version, was the ‘bible’ of the industry,” said Keith Gonzales, editor of the Directory. “It is our unrelenting commitment to pattern the online resource in the same way.”

Further, in an exclusive agreement signed with Baseline StudioSystems, the Players Directory will be the provider of actor photos, resumes, representation information and for the first time, demo reels to Baseline StudioSystems, the world's preeminent provider of film and television information. The company serves a customer base that includes every major studio, broadcast network, representation firm and media outlet in North America. Baseline StudioSystems is a part of The New York Times Company.

"Players Directory and Now Casting have created great tools to help actors and their representation promote their work and their talent," said Alex Amin, Executive Vice President of Baseline StudioSystems. "This partnership allows them to further promote themselves to Baseline's vast entertainment industry user base, while providing that base with the most accurate, engaging and in-depth information available anywhere."

The enhanced website – to debut October 29, 2007 – features a database of over 120,000 professional actors worldwide with over 250,000 photos. In addition, there are countless resumes, demo reels and resume clips. With the relationships that the Directory has throughout the world, the number of actors in the Players Directory database is constantly growing. The inclusion of the international talent along with the U.S. listings truly makes the online directory second to none.

“Players Directory has been the most trusted name in casting resources for seventy years and it makes sense they would be the one to come up with a solution,” said Dawn Steinberg, Sr. VP of Talent & Casting, Sony Pictures Television. “I look forward to the launch of the new International Players Directory Online Actor Locator; it will make what can be a time consuming process a whole lot easier.”

There is no cost for qualified actors to include their basic listing of up to six photos and their resume. Many competitors charge substantial fees to include multiple photos in their databases. “We don’t want to take advantage of actors; our free listing offers the actors many valuable online tools,” adds Gonzales.

Through their parent company, Now Casting, the Players Directory also offers actors free inclusion in an Agent/Manager Submission System and free inclusion in the Industry favorite Online Audition System. Additional “premium” actor services are offered online on a voluntary basis.

In the age when online information is unrivaled, the Players Directory is also very sensitive to proprietary information and understands the sensitive nature of a client roster. Unlike other online search tools where an agency’s full client roster is available for anyone to see, the Players Directory online will never offer this type of search.

History of the Players Directory

First printed in January 1937, the Players Directory is the industry’s oldest and best-known casting directory. The first issue was a 248-page publication listing 1,257 players, including names like Mae West, James Stewart, Gene Autry, Bette Davis, Mary Astor and Gary Cooper. The printed Directory continues to be a valuable tool in the casting process and the most recent printed issue includes thousands of listings, among them many of today's best-known actors.

In July 1996, the Players Directory developed new ways for agents and casting directors to do their jobs, utilizing rapidly changing online technological tools. As the technology changes, so has the Players Directory, committed to being the most valuable resource available. For more information, visit www.playersdirectory.com.
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