Apprentice Hires Yahoo

Yahoo Inc. and Mark Burnett Productions have formed a relationship in which Yahoo! will produce, host and sell advertising for the official Web site for the second and third season of “The Apprentice”, as well as integrate “Apprentice” content throughout the Yahoo network.

The site, which went live Thursday at http://apprentice.yahoo.com, will feature up to 40 minutes of Web-exclusive content each week. Sam Solovey, ousted from the first season of the NBC show, will write a weekly column for the site, and users will be able to download a themed “Apprentice” IMVironment background in Yahoo! Messenger, as well as use a verbally animated “You’re Fired” Audible to taunt their friends while instant messaging