I’m watching Olympic Team Sabre between Italy and Belarus — I still can’t figure out the rules, but it seems like a cool sport.

You should be able to find the video in the widget below:

Making a Difference around the world

One of the things I love about blogs, Youtube and other online tools is the ability to stay connected to the causes I care about. Here is a perfect example:

I won’t give to many details because its personal, but its exciting to me to stay informed of such a great effort that I have been personally involved in. I had the opportunity to visit in person Choluteca Honduras last year, so I love being able to see videos and pictures of the great progress being done.

One of these is Casa Hogar Vida whose mission is to provide options for a better future for those infected with HIV/AIDS. A 64 Acre compound has been donated and will be used to create a large, self-contained community that will include the following:

· Houses for families caring for their HIV/AIDS members.
· Homes for orphan children
· A factory to make bricks
· A clinic
· A meeting place to worship God
· A food distribution center
· A separate area for sports and recreation
· Farmland to grow fruits and vegetable

Ultimately, this is what excites me about communication and technology — bringing people together (like the two recording artists, an American mega-church, and some small church in Honduras) to make a difference in people’s lives.

Web ads clobber TV

Interesting results via NBC about video ad memorability:

Advertising in programs streamed online has a better rate of recall and is preferred by users to similar ads served on TV, according to new research from NBC.

It’s a no brainer — stop stuffing ads down consumer’s throats and make the ads more relevant — you’ll get better results.

“NBC.com’s loyal users actively navigate and curate their own experience in NBC Rewind, so there is a high level of engagement,” Peter Naylor, SVP for digital media sales at NBCU, told TV Week.

Using Video in Corporate Communications

Found an interesting question on LinkedIn Answers that I posted on, and I figured I would share my response here.

What are the pro’s and con’s of using embedded video on a corporate website?

I am in the process of specifying a corporate website (The company is active within the Automotive Aftermarket) and wonder if using video on the website is a good idea to present the company and its key values, possible using a human presenter. I have been searching far and wide, some use it and others don’t (rarely used in the aftermarket industry). I wonder if it is a good idea. I am keen to know others opnions and if any knows some really good websites using video.

I think there are more pro’s for this than con’s.

Depending on how big of a company you are working for (and how attractive you are to lawsuits), ADA compliance can result in increased costs or risk if you publish non-ADA compliant videos. But, the good thing is that making your online videos ADA compliant just takes some research and a little more development/production time.

Check out the latest Inc. magazine issue for some ideas on best practices with online video. http://www.inc.com/magazine/20080201/index.html There is an article on Ford modeling agency and what they did, as well as a shorter article with an case study on using video to generate newsletter subscriptions.

The key thing about video is to make sure its entertaining or interesting enough to attract some sort of audience. Don’t just put the CEO or Marketing Dir. in front of a camera if they just don’t have camera-presence. Hire a talent, or do an internal casting to find someone that is comfortable and that looks & sounds compelling on video.

Video can be a great way to communicate brand, and strengthen the company’s image. Its also a great way to possibly bring in sales leads, or as an incentive to generate e-newsletter subscriptions.

I wish more companies where using online video to communicate — both internally and externally.

John C. Maxwell: Laws of Respect, Intuition, and Magnetism

Just found a series of video clips by John C. Maxwell. Very interesting short tidbits on leadership. I think I’m going to go out and get me a copy of his revised/updated book.

Best selling author and leadership expert John C. Maxwell walks through the Laws of Respect, Intuition, and Magnetism. Taken from his completely revised and updated book, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, Maxwell insights are learned from his leadership successes, failures, and observations from the worlds of business, politics, sports, religions, and the military.

Getting your video to go viral

Laurie Petersen posted a short article on research completed by Millward Brown on what videos go viral. They all have four common factors.

Laugh (have to be laugh-out-loud funny)

Edgy (make you a little uncomfortable)

Gripping (you can’t stop watching)

Sexual Content (surprised?)

Michelle Eule recommends IKEA’s Pig Chase if you want to get the idea.

I’m not sure that using sexual content is the best approach when doing cause-marketing or product marketing, but there are ways to remain appropriate while applying these four principles.

Competition for Joost. Veoh Networks Launches VeohTV

This sounds like good news — more competition. I’m hoping this will have an impact on cable television, opening up for more choices and options.

Right now, I would like to pick and choose the TV channels I receive in my home, and reject what I don’t need or want. Instead, I pay one price, and subsidize a lot of junk I don’t care for, or do not want in my home.

“Unlike Joost, which is a closed system with content from a limited number of sources, VeohTV supports open Internet standards, and has access to virtually all of the video content on the Internet, on demand.” said Dmitry Shapiro, CEO of Veoh Networks. “We asked Veoh.com users what they really want in their online video experience and VeohTV is the culmination of that feedback. We believe that it will be the dominant standard for online video consumption moving forward.”

Industry heavyweights who have seen early versions of VeohTV have had positive reaction. “It’s a great product” said Barry Diller, Chairman and CEO of Interactive Corp.

“Veoh has leapfrogged the field with their dazzling new video application,” said Ross Levinsohn, former President, Fox Interactive Media. “The new Veoh will set the bar very high for others to shoot for, and will be a terrific experience for consumers worldwide.”

Streaming media video at Townhall.com

My employer just launched a new video section in partnership with ROO, an online video streaming service. StreamingMedia.com has the story.

“Web-based publications and communities depend on compelling, targeted content to keep their visitors and participants engaged and active,” said Robert Petty, CEO of ROO. “Townhall’s devoted and passionate community members will be able to click on content channels that provide dynamic videos that they are interested in, rather than the generic content that can be found anywhere else.”

DeFeo also noted that due to ROO’s relationships with major media companies Townhall.com will be able to offer local news video on the Web sites for radio stations owned by Salem Communications in top 25 markets, an important asset that helped draw Townhall.com to ROO. As a part of Salem Communications, Townhall.com features Salem’s nationally-syndicated conservative talk hosts, Bill Bennett, Mike Gallagher, Hugh Hewitt, Michael Medved, and Dennis Prager, who are heard on over 300 stations nationwide.

I’ve been uploading videos through their interface, and it works really well. We had some glitches at the start, but its gotten a lot easier as I learn the system. Its quite a powerful tool, and we are really not using the full extent of what they have to offer.

Branding through Behind the Scenes Video

I was uploading some behind the scenes video of a Republican presidential candidate, and was amazed at how a un-scripted casual video can make a huge positive difference in image building. Up to this point, I have not seen this particular candidate in a positive light. My impression has been that he is a typical beltway insider who has been in DC for much to long.

Watching short clips of his interactions with voters all around the country, I found myself laughing and enjoying his sense of humor and his friendly personality. Now, I realize that video editors have a lot of control over the message of a video, no matter how “unscripted” it may appear. Nevertheless, the lesson is clear — put down your guard, and let your stakeholders see more of the real you. Behind the scenes video go a long way to humanize your business or organization, and strengthen your relationship with your constituents or customers.

You can check out Townhall’s news, technology, politics and other videos right here.

Governor Richardson and YouTube Political Ads

Townhall.com’s Matt Lewis commented on Bill Richardson’s new TV ads and calls them brilliant.

Proof it doesn’t take a ton of money to make a good web ad …

I can glean a few key lessons from these ads. First, as it seems Governor Richardson’s campaign is doing, YouTube is a great place to “Focus Group” any video creative! Marketing research firms will always have its value, but for quick and dirty testing, YouTube is quickly becoming the way to go.

The second key lesson for companies (or politicians) wanting to leverage YouTube and other social media is to take yourself lightly!! I have to say, having gone through a layoff myself, plus 2 years of under-employment, these ads are funny and very relevant. I think they speak to every voter who has had to work hard to find a job! They resonate, while clearly getting the core message out; That is that Gov. Richardson has a lot of experience. He doesn’t come across as a show off…the Governor’s wandering eyes checking out the office, and pompous hiring manager skimming the resume work really well together.

Another key thing about YouTube is that videos distributed through the site can have an aggregated “earned” marketing value through positive comments from supporters or stakeholders. Check out this comment:

jrewing02
I had the opportunity to meet Gov. Richardson at the April 19, 2007 Give ‘em Hell Harry event in Denison, Iowa, and (after also having read his book ‘Between Worlds’), I can say with 100% certainty these videos assess a mere tip of the iceberg when it comes to this man’s significant accomplishments. He is in a class all by himself. And, he really is genuinely funny! We’re talking down-to-earth and the ability to relate with everyone. Ironically, he’s modest to a fault. Loved the videos!

This tells me something about the Governor. As of 9PM tonight, his video has 21,961 views. That’s pretty impressive considering it was only uploaded yesterday and cost the campaign nothing to distribute.

It’s funny and it’s effective and I gave it 5 stars in YouTube. I have to agree completely with YouTube user, cfitchaz:

cfitchaz (1 hour ago)
Cheezy but I’ll take cheesy these days over polished…

Here is the two Gov. Richardson ads in one video embed: