We’d like to take a few seconds to thank our advertising partners who have gotten us through the first 6 months of the year. Toon Boom, Titmouse, Aniboom, Happy Fatties, Flash on Tap and Adobe are all hereby commended by the ColdHardFlash Politburo of Advertising Affairs.

We’ve also hit a few notable milestones lately. Over the last 5 years, this site has seen over 5 million page views. We also just hit 100 subscribers to our YouTube channel and 500 Twitter follows. If you haven’t subscribed to these already, the esteemed CHF Social Networking Committee would appreciate your mouse clickery.

You may have spotted the ad banner here at CHF, or news at CartoonBrew or AWN – but I want to call more attention to Titmouse Inc’s 7200 Frames project. This Hollywood-based studio is on the hunt for animated film pitches. The making of the chosen films will be captured on film during a 4-6 week production schedule as part of an upcoming documentary series. Interested filmmakers are required to submit a link to a YouTube clip in which the film is described. The submission deadline is July 3rd and you can find out more at 7200frames.com.

There no Flash animation in this promotional video below, but it’s the spawn of an animated project you may have seen here. It’s a commercial for Manny Galan’s Dookie-Poo figures. Go buy one, or visit the official site for downloads and videos.

If you’re waiting for a poke in the ribs to start producing your own online animated series, a recent article over at adage.com has readied the poking stick. Michael Learmonth’s Why YouTube Will Sink or Swim With Obama Girl focuses on the recent surge of “midtail” or “semi-pro” YouTube content. You know these producers – as many of them are fond of the ol’ Flash animation. Mondo Media (who have the 6th most-viewed YouTube channel of all-time), College Humor, SuperNews, JibJab – they all boast significant YouTube audiences, and they’re all bringing in significant ad revenue. Now, when I say “significant,” don’t think Super Bowl bucks. These are (corporate lingo warning) “right-sized” content producers, that eschew big Hollywood production trappings for small teams, and what TubeMogul calls “snack size” content. I’m aware of teams making tens of thousands a month in ad-revenue on YouTube, and I also see the next wave of YouTube stars on the horizon – artists like Some Grey Bloke, nockFORCE, Dan Meth and Mike Parker. They’re all highly prolific, and they understand the power of YouTube. And over at Lineboil.com, we’re following Patrick Boivin, For Tax Reasons and Dan Cardenas.
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The Toon Boom folks, who recently released Animate and Animate Pro, have announced a new tour around the US. There will be discussions of the state of the animation industry, networking and then a software demonstration. The team will also offer $399.99 vouchers for Animate to anyone attending. The tour hits Ohio, New York, Illinois, Florida, Colorado, California (SF), Washington and Oregon – and more details can be found on the tour website.