is video viable?
Lately there’s been a lot of discussion about how video (viral or otherwise) is being integrated into marketing campaigns, and our online life in general.
I certainly love that with broadband, I can watch TV shows at any time I’d like, rather than having to commit my life to a network’s whims. I love that I can iChat with my sister across the country, in real time. And I know several people who are really getting into video e-mailing, with programs like HelloWorld making it easier than ever. And places like VidRez offer video resumes for anyone.
I’m not sure I’m ready to lose the certain amount of privacy that written communication still affords us. Most of us have never been on TV, let alone written, directed, and starred in our video.
But for video being integrated into marketing campaigns, it needs to get to a better place than the YouTube-platform, user-generated SuperBowl competitions. And now it’s getting into politics, with YouTube partnering with Senator McCain’s campaign.
Is it useful? Is it effective? Are consumers really being more inspired to recognize brands, or urged to make a purchase, based on a video they saw on YouTube?
I’m sure the debate will go on, and I’m hardly qualified to stage it, but the variety of uses for video sharing is a very interesting case. I think the more effective uses of video are not the general mish-mash that can be sorted through on the generic site, but instead how it’s integrated into a larger strategy, placed specifically on certain areas of a webpage, and used in conjunction with other tactics. And there’s also a big difference between a 3 minute video that someone seeks out, and an integrated Flash video within a superior, dynamic website.
I’d have to say this is my current favorite: effective use of entertaining video, in so much as it reaches consumers on a higher level. The Renegade Marketing group is really working toward the successful side of using video. Would love to hear what you think!
And while I’d love to support the effort of Southern New England chapter of the American Marketing Association made to work in the new media space, I’m not sure the value or effectiveness of this youtube video“>video quite hits the mark.
And videopodcasting is another topic of note. Not a podcaster myself, I haven’t quite the perspective to comment, but with the iPod capabilities to carry video, it seems to be a natural evolution of the popular subscription and personalization abilities we now have at our fingertips. And from what little I know, this guy gets it. (Though, is there anything Robert Scoble doesn’t get?)
It’ll be fascinating to see how video evolves as our use of the internet, instant communication, and marketing tactics adapt. If nothing else, we’re all going to be a lot tougher critics because the content of new pieces will need to consistently surpass all others for creativity and concept.
Technorati Tags: viral video, HelloWorld, ScobleShow, YouTube, video, Renegade Marketing, iChat, Flash, MenWithCramps, video resumes, VidRez
