Associated Content is a producer of original user generated content. Anyone can create an account on their Web site and upload files that can be viewed for free by visitors. Unlike some of their competitors, they accept submissions from all the popular media types such as articles, videos, audio and slideshows.http://www.associatedcontent.com/faq.html#C1 Also, they work directly with media partners to provide them with copy or multimedia that is created for their specific needs.https://partner.associatedcontent.com/

The users that give their work to Associated Content are called Contributors. They can make money with the business in different ways. One option is to submit their content and earn money through page views. This incentive program is called Performance Payments and is open for any submission. For every 1000 page views that they obtain, they get $1.50. Another option is Upfront Payments.http://www.associatedcontent.com/faq.html#B4 To qualify for it, the media must cover a topic of interest to the company. The amount earned is anywhere between $1 and $20.http://www.associatedcontent.com/faq.html#B5 Those who get Upfront Payments also benefit from Performance Payments.

When it comes to the creator's ownership rights over the content that they hand over to the company, there are four options available to them. These are work for hire, exclusive, non-exclusive and display only rights.http://www.associatedcontent.com/faq.html#C10 The highest payouts go to exclusive and work for hire jobs. Likewise, Associated Content does offer topics of their own that already have certain copyright requirements attached.http://www.associatedcontent.com/faq.html#H8

Luke Beatty founded Associated Content in 2005 with the idea to create a medium that allows regular people to market their unique content. In Online Journalism Review, he stated "It seemed like the right time to launch a media publishing company for the people, by the people, not just a "me me me" showcase like MySpace, but a chance to get published by and participate in a new kind of media company. Associated Content launched as "The People's Media Company", with my old college roommate, Tim Armstrong as the non-executive chairman of the board."http://www.ojr.org/ojr/stories/070326grier/ As of March 2009, Patrick Keane became the CEO of the content publishing platform while Beatty holds the president position.http://www.associatedcontent.com/company.html

Associated Content has an extensive social networking community online. Along with a blog and forum for Contributers, they have Facebook, MySpace and LinkedIn accounts that you can sign up to for the latest information.http://www.associatedcontent.com/resources.shtml They offer various promotions and contests for their users such as the People's Media Awards as well. http://www.associatedcontent.com/contests.html