Effective online video ads must follow some un-written rules
It is not so easy to produce effective online video ads in terms of awareness. Dynamic Logic has conducted a study measuring user reaction to 108 pre-roll ads. So what worked? The top-performing ads have several things in common.
- The brand is central to the creative.
- Links to additional information online are offered up.
- Ads still deliver a compelling message with the sound off.
- They fit with existing offline ad campaigns.
- They use the campaign display ad while playing
First version of Digg was created for $200
Kevin Rose, Digg’s founder, had his big idea in 2003, and he went to Elance.com. He posted there his project, and look for a PHP programmer, paying for $10 hr. This is how he built up his first version of Digg.com, for $200 bucks.
Now he can sell it for tens of millions of dollars. Elance.com connects freelance programmer, designers and writers with available projects.
The CW starts streaming shows
CW channel has started streaming free on CWTV.com its main shows. It follows up the idea started by ABC and CBS offering in the U.S. full episodes online for free, presented with limited commercials.
By the way, according to Nielsen-Netratings data for October and November, ABC.com is leading network sites in unique streams. Its primetime shows attracted 3.1 million in October and 3 million in November, compared to CBS.com’s 1.2 milion and 1.9 million, and Fox.com’s 640,000 and 676,000.
Hillary and Obama used the Internet video
Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama used the Internet and its video capabilities to announce their presidential ambitions. Hillary and Obama broadcasted via their websites their intentions to form an exploratory committee, the first step in considering a run for president.
The African-American politician did a deal with Brightcove for a broadband channel all his own.
Brightcove raises $59.5 million
The online video platform and network Brightcove has landed a massive $59.5 million round of investment. Among the investors, The New York Times. “This investment in Brightcove will enable us to grow our business at a critical juncture in the adoption of Internet TV,” said Jeremy Allaire, Brightcove founder and chief executive officer.
“With the new funds we will be expanding internationally, deepening our service offering to give media partners better tools to distribute and monetize video online, and empowering consumers to interact with that content in exciting new ways.”
Allaire says he’ll continue to partner “aggressively” with both major and emerging media companies. “If the Google/YouTube deal was any indication, 2007 is clearly going to be a major year for online video, and also a year of consolidation as many of the hundreds of online video startups seek a place in the new ecosystem.” he writes.
Real Networks debuts new Film.com
Real Networks launched this month its new film and entertainment news Film.com, featuring film previews, movie trailers, DVD releases, and coverage of television programming and celebrity news. Real Networks introduced the new Film.com at Sundance Festival, where reporters for the website posted daily exclusive video reports and commentary.
According to the press release, the new Film.com (originally founded in 1994) has assembled a team of writers from across the United States to enhance the site’s video and entertainment information.
