"We got this idea when we were thinking about how to promote one of our newest CD-ROM titles called, 'The Improv Presents: Don't Quit Your Day Job,'" said Jim Wilson, Philips Media's director of marketing. "The idea is a perfect fit, and eDrive, Compuserve, and Comedy Central were quick to support the contest."

If you have always wanted your big break into the comedy scene, you need to send 60 seconds of your best material and a headshot as attached e-mail to standup@cis.compuserve.com. Audio must be digitized into a ".wav" file and the photograph sent as a "GIF" file, in order to transmit them across the Internet. Thirty-six entries will be selected from the first World Wide Web casting call which runs from June 21 to July 9. The contest is open to any US citizen, 21 years of age or older except for employees of the participating companies.

The centerpiece of the contest is an interactive challenge allowing users to become talent scouts, searching for the next great comedy star. Following the talent scout theme, the contest will preview each of the 36 finalists in a "virtual nightclub" at Comedy Central's Web site and on Compuserve at GO STANDUP.

Each week, beginning July 18, six finalists will be presented in the club until all 36 are debuted. Online users can vote as a "talent scout" in search of the next great comedian. The comedian with the best response each week will advance to the finals, which will be held from August 29 to September 5 at eDrive's Web site.

"The Web is quickly changing from a place where people get information and perhaps buy a few things to a place where people come for the entertainment, relaxation, and education, Wilson said. "As that transformation takes place, we have to find marketing techniques which will help us stand out from all the clutter and confusion. Brand identity is one way. That is why you see names like The Improv, Comedy Central, eDrive, and Compuserve in this address."

He continued, "Secondly, this contest will attract people who want to be comedians, people who want to learn about being a talent scout, and people looking for good entertainment. This is a landmark idea and depending on how it goes, it could turn into an annual event."

The grand champion laugh-maker will win a trip to the Improv to meet owners Budd Friedman and Mark Lonow and tickets to "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." Participating talent scouts/voters qualify for weekly drawings and the chance to win T-shirts and copies of "The Improv Presents: Don't Quit Your Day Job" CD-ROM.

More information is available at Philips Media's Web site.