According to a study by Bytemobile 40% of mobile data traffic in 2010 was video traffic. However, only about 10% of the mobile-using public in the U.S. were accessing some form of video content on their handsets. Based on usage trends, mobile video is going to grow and grow fast as technology improves and more people get smart phones. Bytemobile believes that in the next year 60% of mobile traffic will come from mobile video. Can networks support such a large increase in mobile video traffic? Bytemobile says maybe not.
It’s fascinating how search terms can “capture the spirit of 2010” so adequately and appropriately. Google recently released their 2010 Zeitgeist, which in their words is “the aggregation of billions of search queries people typed into Google this year.”
From highlights of the 2010 Winter Olympics, to devastating natural disasters Google has broken out all of the pressing news and issues of this past year. The Zeitgeist includes the top global events of the year, lists of the fastest rising search queries (globally and nationally), and a sensational illustrated video review of 2010.
Look back on 2010 and watch as Swine Flu and Susan Boyle become concerns of the past as the iPad, Twitter, Katy Perry, and Cupcakes top the search charts.
It has been just over a week since Google TV’s launch, and opinions are still unclear. Self-described as “tv, apps, search, and the web…together at last”, Google TV is available in two ways: Standalone TV (Sony Internet TV) and set-top box (Logitech Revue and Sony Internet TV Blu-ray players).
The first round of reviews are in, and they are mixed. On the good side, Google TV has incredible functionality and a universal Google Chrome search bar that overlays every screen. Google TV’s biggest offering is its ability to access nearly all web-based video. Apps, like Android’s Remote App and Vimeo’s Couch Mode have been created as a complement. On the other hand, compatible apps are limited. The Netflix App is outdated and ABC, CBS, and Hulu are blocking Google TV devices from streaming their content.
In an effort to remedy these issues, Google has given away nearly 10,000 Revues to developers to motivate them to write applications designed for the service.
In the end, Google TV has serious potential, but is certainly still in its infancy. We look forward to seeing what happens next.
Recently, AOL launched Project Devil, a way for the portal to position itself as a content engine designed to present information in a clear “to the point” fashion. One digital marketer per page without any competitive clutter. To me, their ideas about page design, page navigation and marketer placement are basic and a bit dated. Those of us designing web pages have utilized these “clean” layout guidelines for more than a year. It seems that AOL is just catching up to the rest of us with the launch of Project Devil. See for yourself by using this link and comment back to let us know what you think: AOL Project Devil
This just makes me laugh – watch it all the way through and I bet it makes you laugh as well. Almost 6 million people have enjoyed this video. It’s true YouTube gold.
In 2009, Wieden + Kennedy won a Grand Prix in the Cannes Awards for Nike’s ‘Chalkbot’ – an innovative and heartwarming approach to interactive marketing.
The Chalkbot was a computerized mechanism designed to print inspirational sayings that consumers submitted via SMS, banner ads, the Livestrong website and Twitter onto the roadway of the Tour de France. Over 36,000 quotes conveyed messages of hope, health and strength, supporting Livestrong and giving the organization a 46% sales increase and a fundraised $4 million.
For each message printed by the Chalkbot, their author was sent a photograph and GPS coordinate of the words they sent in.
Although this won last summer’s Cannes, it is revered as one of the most original event campaigns, and for good reason. The campaign’s success required an active public, something that so many companies aim to acquire but often fail. The ingenious thinkers at Wieden + Kennedy pulled off this campaign for the most part because, arguably, it meant something more to the public. It struck an emotional and inspired chord for the tens of thousands of individuals who participated in the campaign and that made the difference.
Hulu has done well at commanding a decent CPM and really strong “big name” advertisers. While not profitable yet, media professionals are seeing Hulu as a nice extension to television, putting all video in one category (either TV, Online, or Mobile). Sight, Sound and Motion builds brand. Regardless of the forum, video is huge to communicate brand attributes. Six months ago, Vevo launched and cut deals with major networks including Google to provide a monthly unique impression total of more than 44 million. Not too shabby. They have also signed huge advertisers. Their model (at least for now) is to provide subtle marketing – one advertiser per short play video and some corresponding banner units. They offer their video content for free and make money from marketing dollars.
ABC’s model is different in that they will make money from consumers through a sub base – even if it is low cost. I don’t think it will work. Consumers have been trained to gain content online for zippo. I don’t think they will pay to watch ABC vids. Even with the consumer sub, ABC would play “fewer” commercials. Not a good combo. If they are going to charge a sub, they need to eliminate commercials. The two won’t mix well. While Hulu is moving to a pay for model, I’m not sure that will work well either. They are doing so as they try hard to figure out how to turn Hulu profitable.
Time will tell – to me, it seems the sub strategy has been tested before and it fails quickly. The model that seems to get results is as follows: High quality content, high quality video, massive unique impression totals and one advertiser for maximum ownership and the least amount of annoyance to the consumer possible.
Following the popular Chrome Features and Extensions/Translate videos comes another demonstrating how fast the browser can load pages. Very creative and captivating video.
