• by July 12, 2006

So, with little fanfare Yahoo launched a beta version of something called "The 9," a daily compilation of video that features the nine top Web videos of the day. The show is a kind of "Entertainment Tonight" meets VH1's "Best Week Ever" concoction, and a ripoff of Rocketboom, the quirky vlog formerly hosted by Amanda Congdon, whose hotness burned up computer screens everywhere.

Same goes for "The 9," which features a busty babe named Maria Sansone teeing up the clips and oozing her bronzed charisma all over the screen. And I mean oozing. Looks like Yahoo is determined to create some online magic--or at least, stickiness--and by the looks of things, it won't be that hard. Think "Maria." You know, from "West Side Story": "I've just kissed a girl named Maria. And suddenly I found how wonderful a sound [or Web video] can be...." Yippee!

"The 9" asks folks to vote on the daily videos they like the best. Today, a video dubbed "Fake Baby Suri" at celebrity-babies.com made the list, as did something called "Blonde Ambition." The videos are fun, for sure and if they can't put you in a better mood at work, you can count on Maria to do the not-so-heavy lifting.

"The 9" isn't so easy to find. Yesterday, I saw it on Yahoo's homepage, but it's also on Yahoo TV. It really needs to be promoted on the homepage in a bigger way, and I suppose that's the plan.

The show also features something called "The Pepsi 10th," which enables users to submit their picks for the most compelling Web video of the day.

So people, remember: Sex still sells. That's why Yahoo needed a babelicious gal to host a Web video countdown.

P.S.: Don't forget to enter The OMMA Awards (Online Media, Marketing and Advertising)!

The OMMA Awards honor the brand marketers, agencies, and content providers that continue to push the potential of online advertising creative. The Awards honor the year's most innovative and brilliant creative work in 27 categories. Deadline for entries is July 28, and winners will be announced Sept. 26. For more information, go to: https://www.mediapost.com/ommaawards/