YouTube Suggests New Explore Tab

Going Vertical—Online Video Stands Tall

Analyzing Video Analytics

How Corporate Video Can Capitalize On YouTube Interactions

It will now be easier for video bloggers to connect with their fans thanks to YouTube’s newest interactions tab.

The new interactions tab, named “Community”, will give YouTubers the ability to send text, live videos, images, and GIFs to fans in real time, as told by Mashable.

Working directly with YouTube collaborators, the Google-owned video site developed the product to better engage fans. The new beta launch initiative increases interactions as viewers can see posts from their favourite YouTube stars in their subscriptions feed.

It also gives the option to receive notifications of new uploads.

According to Vidcon co-creators John and Hank Green, “YouTube has always thought of itself as being about video but for many of us it’s mostly been about community. I’d argue the best YouTube channels aren’t just shows you lean back and watch, they are communities you are part of. For a long time, that was seen as YouTube’s great weakness. In the early days YouTube actually released a product called Lean Back that allowed you to watch videos without engaging with them because advertisers, especially back then, thought engaged viewers were bad news…in spite of it all, YouTube has continued to be a community platform and today they have embraced that with the community tab.”

YouTube even enlisted a list of content creators for this new initiative, including Brampton’s own Lilly Singh (also known as Superwoman).

For corporate companies looking to feature videos on their YouTube channels, this could be a huge win. Now your audience will be able to engage with you in a faster, more direct way, further increasing online interactions.

Here at Key West Video, we work directly with companies looking to reach their audiences in strategic, yet massive ways. For more information on the services we provide, visit our website and check out our portfolio!

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Why YouTube And Vimeo’s Emmy Awards Are Important

History was made at this year’s Emmy Awards when it decided to recognize and include digital content among its awards.

The Emmy Awards have a long tradition of awarding great television. For over 60 years, they’ve made it their duty to hunt down the best in premium content.

This year, the Emmy’s expanded its categories to include the short-form series, spanning over multiple digital streaming platforms.

The following categories (as seen on Mashable.com) are listed below:

• Outstanding Short-Form Series – Comedy or Drama
• Outstanding Short-Form Series – Variety
• Outstanding Short-Form Series – Reality/Non-Fiction
• Outstanding Actor in a Short-Form Series – Comedy or Drama
• Outstanding Actress in a Short-Form Series – Comedy or Drama

Among those will most likely include wins from digital streaming platforms such as YouTube Red, Vimeo, Crackle, AOL and much more. YouTube and Crackle quickly snatched up three nominations this week – a monumental feat in light of this new precedent.

Among YouTube’s nominations was HerStory and Honest Trailers feat. Deadpool.

Crackle, a division of Sony Pictures Television, also got a nod from the Emmy’s for its work on Jerry Seinfeld’s Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee (2012).

And now that these platforms are gaining mainstream recognition, what does this say about the awards show?

Well, it gives emerging, existing networks and distribution platforms the opportunity to have a seat at the table. This year’s Emmy changes mark the shift that mainstream television is experiencing. More and more people are viewing their content digitally, and it would only make sense that this means better online content curated based on public interest. In a world where newer and better content always pushes creative limits, it would almost be a lost opportunity NOT to recognize these platforms’ content.

It also means that these platforms have now been ordained into the mainstream world. The question then becomes: will their content change? Now these online communities are taking home esteemed statuettes. But will the academy have a say in the type of content created?

Judging by the consistency in previously Emmy-nominated shows (such as House of Cards, for example), it’s easy to say no. If anything, this will probably boost viewership and have viewers flocking to these forums for their now-officiated premium content.

Here at Key West Video, we consider ourselves superior content viewers. We appreciate great video and aim to emulate high-quality content for our clients. For more information on the services we provide, visit our website today!

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YouTube And Its Never-Ending Copyright Issues

Did you know that YouTube technically isn’t responsible for the copyright violations before a user is notified?

Neither did we.

In an article on Mashable, the DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) dismisses  YouTube as being responsible for copyright violations by users.

Generally, YouTube automatically removes flagged content. This removes any chance for an uploader to continue monetizing the video before a claim is resolved.

The video-uploading company  has to remove an uploader’s content after it is notified of an infringement by rights holders.

It also has its own copyright detection called Content ID. This allows rights holders whose intellectual property has been partly or entirely compromised to find their content.

(via Mashable.com)

This is not to say that Content ID automatically results in revoking material. Its primary job is to name copyright-infringed material. This doesn’t come without its own can of worms.

One hot issue with content creators is the issue of copyright claims. Many users feel the video site doesn’t adequately investigate [false] claimants. Instead, users feel it rather punishes creators instead.

Back in November of 2015, Google/YouTube made a pledge to promote fair use. In this declaration, they vowed to publicly defend examples of fair use “in court if necessary.”

Clearly, they’re committed to defending its uploaders against unfair copyright claims. They even went so far as to cover costs copyright lawsuits brought against video content creators.

As a way to assuage further complaints, the company decided it will keep flagged content up on the site, but withhold ad revenue from uploaders instead.

Well, until disputes are “settled”.

According to YouTube’s Creator Blog, once the issue is resolved, it will then make proper payouts.

One glaringly obvious question is: for how long? YouTubers will still be able to accumulate money from monetized videos, but what if an ongoing dispute between a claimant and creator lasts for months? Or even years?

Only time will tell.

Interested in creating compelling content for your YouTube channel? We at Key West Video pride ourselves on creating premium content for our clients. Contact us for a quote today!

 

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Why TV and Netflix Will Never Beat YouTube

In a recent study put out by digital entertainment company Defy Media, it seems that most teens prefer YouTube over Netflix and mainstream television.

Surprising?

Well, kinda.

With the rise of video streaming since YouTube’s inception in 2005, we’ve seen a huge surge in the amount of users consuming online video content.

And with anything the first of its kind, competitors are bound to follow. Content streamers like Netflix were quick to follow suit, taking note of YouTube’s massive success for curated video content.

Netflix specifically posed a serious threat when it came out. The subscription-based TV/Film streaming service did what YouTube didn’t immediately capitalize on: making money off of its subscribers. Other video streaming services like Hulu, Amazon, and Shomi quickly followed suit, diversifying their content to accommodate Netflix’s library limitations.

As for mainstream television – be it cable or network – the study found that only 51% of teens and young adults (aged 13-24) preferred television (in comparison to YouTube’s 67%).

This percentage indicates one thing: YouTube is here to stay. The user-friendly site allows for its users to upload videos of pretty much anything. While it’s still unsure what this actually means for the future of content creation, it’s clear that both Millennials and Generation X’ers prefer to retain this virtual freedom.

What does this say about our culture? Are we a generation who prefers to push the envelope or are we really as narcissistic as they say? Forward-thinking companies would benefit from putting content in a public forum that is easily sharable to all. Even if this means enduring 30-second ads in the process.

YouTube is not only known for its easy-to-share interface but also for its sense of connection. YouTube has incorporated algorithms to make it easier for us to find content suited to our specific interests.

This is not to say that other forums have not tried to implement the same concept. Facebook recently introduced its own live streaming, allowing users to post video streams on their timelines.

We at Key West Video like to think that we are a generation who has a say in the content we consume. If you are a progressive company looking to reach a digital audience through video, contact us for a quote today!

 

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3 Reasons To Use Vimeo For Corporate Video

It goes without saying that creating and marketing corporate video proves beneficial to your company’s brand. And with the recent roll-out of Vimeo’s latest design for iOS, it makes sharing remarkable content that much easier.

Nowadays, video streaming, video sharing, and video content as a whole is coming at us harder, better and faster than ever before. Through video-sharing sites such as YouTube, we are able to quickly get easily digestible content. For online streaming services such as Shomi, Netflix, and Hulu, we are able to curate what we want when we want it.

But let’s talk about video-sharing sites for a moment.

Since the inception of YouTube in 2005, we’ve seen our social media mass culture transform. It changed the way we view content, yes, but changed our digital landscape as a whole as we looked online for our main sources of entertainment. With such a free-range video service, it became easy for just about anybody to become a content creator, so much so that good content easily got lost in the sea with some of the bad.

Then along came Vimeo.

Well, technically, Vimeo was founded a year earlier. Much like YouTube, it was intended to be a video-sharing site for users. However, over the years (and after the introduction of HD streaming quality in 2007), it has become an online hub for aspiring/upcoming filmmakers from around the world.

It’s no wonder certain corporate companies have hopped on to the Vimeo train. Below are some of the top reasons why Vimeo has become such a hit in the corporate video world:

1. Quality Content

Vimeo, despite a rising reputation, still isn’t as well-known as other video-sharing websites. Because of the this (coupled with a specific audience), it has a lot less poor content. Vimeo depends less on “trending” topics (as opposed to YouTube whose algorithm depends on ‘clicks’ and Google searches), therefore focusing on the craft of creating quality content.

2. The Right Audience

Because of the quality content put out, users can be assured that Vimeo’s users will follow suit. Unlike YouTube, Vimeo is a much more nuanced website that curates its content based on user uploads. Like-minded filmmakers are apt to provide feedback and build an online sense of community on Vimeo. Depending on your company’s brand, that may  or may not be a good thing when it comes to reaching a specific audience. For those looking to see brand-specific video, Vimeo is an ideal choice.

3. Clean Interface

Vimeo is known for its chic, clean look. Unlike YouTube, which can often feel cluttered with advertisements, suggested videos and a multitude of clickbait thumbnails, Vimeo offers a smooth interface with appealing thumbnail images for its users. It also offers High Definition (HD) quality streaming, allowing for users to watch films (often longer than YouTube videos) in their full resolution.

Here at Key West Video, we specialize in creating quality content sharable for the masses. Contact us for a quote today!

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The Truth About YouTube Ads and Corporate Marketing

It would seem as though YouTube heard us when we first complained about video ads back in 2007, and just did not care.

Since Google acquired YouTube roughly 10 months prior, ad revenue became the primary objective. Quickly, YouTube began testing out 20 second ad models on popular YouTube channels, finding that roughly 75% of viewers stuck around for the whole ad. In it, the ads played for 15 seconds and disappeared up to 10 seconds later if not clicked. Now, most ads play for either 15 or 30 seconds, and offer us the chance to “skip” after 5 seconds – sometimes.

In what many (accurately) viewed as the beginning of the end of a great thing, YouTube would later roll out non-skippable in-stream ads. This meant that for certain videos, you had no choice but to watch the whole video without the option to skip. Sometimes, these ads are accompanies by even more ads (in banner format) viewable on the right-hand side. In-stream ads have been proven to be wildly successful in comparison to side-bar ads, which is probably why they won’t be going away anytime soon.

Thus began the inception of AdBlock.

For Google Chrome users, AdBlock was designed to dissolve the viewing of all types of ads – including YouTube. However, it came with its own set of glitches that didn’t leave users entirely happy.

It might be safe to say that content sites like YouTube (in collaboration with Google) are getting smarter. By making it harder to avoid advertisements (especially ones catered to your interests based on your tracking history), we might just be inclined to give in.

Key West Video is a full service corporate video production company with over 26 years of experience in the industry. Our corporate video production crew has worked with large corporations, small businesses, start-ups, and non-profit organizations.

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Corporate Videos vs. Youtube Vlogs: What’s the Difference?

Ever sit down and think about the difference between corporate companies marketing their products through videos? Or the Youtubers who market corporate products through videos? Well, we do.

If you really think about it, both try to do the same thing. They encourage you to try a product, show you how to use the product, and the results of said product. One of the main differences is how they profit off of promoting their material.

With Youtube, a vlogger’s (video blogger) payout follows an algorithm. A bulk of Youtube’s earnings comes from ad revenue. When a Youtuber gains enough followers, a vlogger may apply to become a part of the Partner program. He or she will need to enable monetization of each video they post. Youtube pays in CPM (cost per thousand): every thousand views on a particular ad generates a certain amount of money. Youtube takes about 45% of the CPM earnings, but the actual cost advertisers are charged changes. The more views on an ad before the video, the more a Youtuber makes.

Though you can’t purchase views from third parties, companies pay different prices for the types of ads they want to show on channels. This ranges from $0.10-$0.30 per view (see more here).

While some companies use popular vloggers to promote their material, some prefer to create their own channels. If you’re adventurous like Dove, you can try to do what they did for their online campaign.

On the other hand, corporate companies may reach out to an independent video company with an idea for a product, service or campaign. That video company may provide a numeric quote for that idea that covers the cost for their services. Here at Key West Video, we offer animation, pre and post production, greenscreening and much more when working with B2B companies. We specialize in developing our client’s ideas into great promotional video.

Another major difference is timing. Often companies (like financial investors) needing to get time-sensitive information out as soon as possible may turn to Youtube. Youtube has proved to be a great source for quick, easy-to-access information, but it does come with limitations. While it isn’t impossible to create high quality Youtube videos, it’s a lot tougher to do this on a consistent basis. Especially when trying to build an audience. On the flip side, corporate videos creating promotional material (e.g. commercials, interviews or promo videos) usually need more time to plan. They usually are of a higher production value, too.

So which should you invest in? Well, if you’re not the sort of company that a popular Youtube Vlogger could use (aka not a hair, beauty or fitness company), it might be a little difficult to use this platform to sell your product. Youtube viewers are quick to pass judgment on disingenuous vloggers – especially when their content suddenly doesn’t match their style.

What other differences can you think of? Comment below!

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Intertextuality: Funny or Failure?

 Are Viral Videos that Utilize Intertextuality a Good Idea or a Cheap Cop-out?

The greatest hope that any video producer can have is for their video to go viral. That magical word which suddenly makes it seem like your work has paid off and your content is special in some way. It must have been funny or heartwarming, or something that no one has ever seen done before.

With such buzz around this word, this type of video content finds a way to attract the masses and spread like a disease, and everyone is trying to figure out the recipe. What is it that allows one dancing cat video to garner the attention of millions and another to go to the grave with only a few views from friends and family? That is the questions that media specialists have been trying to pinpoint for years, with some guidelines being helpful and others failures.

The concept of intertextuality (shaping the meaning of something through another text) has been popular for several decades now. Shows like the Simpsons and Family Guy commonly reference items of pop culture, and often look inwards openly mocking their own genre or plot lines.

Over the past few years video producers have started using preexisting viral videos and re-working the content, parodying, or utilizing the video’s star, in hopes of making their own videos go viral. But is this method a legitimate style or a cheap gimmick with no real substance or creativity? Check out this video for Smart Water starring Jennifer Aniston below.

The video employs all the common tricks and tips in order to make a video go viral. Clearly a parody of the ways videos do become popular, it in of itself was a cheap way to garner attention. Unfortunately for Smart Water the video, now three years after it’s debut, has still only attracted 70,000 views on YouTube.

Other videos that parody or mimic preexisting viral videos do become hugely popular all on their own. Take for example the news clip of Antoine Dodson which hit the internet by storm in the summer of 2012. Once it was re-mixed and auto-tuned shortly thereafter, that video received double the amount of views than the original.

Therefore, while intertextuality can be successful, the use of elements from one video to make another go viral doesn’t necessarily mean it will.

What are some of your favorite viral videos that utilize intertextuality?

Intertextuality: Funny or Failure?

Dove Real Beauty Sketches

This Ad was released a few months ago, but after watching it, I knew it had to be posted.

For the first part of the video, I thought this was just about an FBI trained forensic artists’ ability to sketch out a persons face; with that person behind a curtain describing their features. I was really puzzled how they were going to try and tie Dove to a sketch artist’s ability.

It moved on to numerous people also describing to the sketch artist the features of a stranger they met prior to the sketch.

At the end, people are shown two different sketches side by side; the first sketch is how they described themselves and the second sketch, is the strangers descriptions.

The stranger’s descriptions were regularly more stereotypically attractive and similar to what the subjects actually looked like.

With this Ad, Dove was trying to prove that women really do  see themselves dramatically different compared to what other people see them as.

Dove Real Beauty Sketches Ad:

• The most watched online ad ever, according to Unilever, with over 163 million views globally


• 4.6 billion media impressions; reached 275,000 followers on Google+


• #1 on the Cannes YouTube Ads Leaderboard and won Titanium Grand Prix at 2013 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity

Why did this Ad do so well?

It did a great job of using  emotion.  You can literally see the tears in the women’s eyes when they saw the second sketch. Which elicited a strong emotional response from viewers.

David Waterhouse, the global head of content and PR at viral tracker Unruly Media agrees that this video received an intense emotional response of ‘warmth, ‘happiness’ and ‘knowledge’ from its target demographic —which is one of the key factors behind a video’s sharing success.

I loved the message at the end “You are more beautiful than you think”.

Keywest Video Inc. -Corporate Video Blog -Dove Real Beauty Sketches

Dove Real Beauty Sketches