Extreme Sports Thursday!

We are always adding fresh videos to our content library.  Check out some of the latest clips from Total Vid and X-Treme Video on the Extreme Sports channel on ROOtv.com.

The Future of Online Video Advertising—Branded Video?

As I mentioned yesterday, budgets for online advertising are growing—in particular video advertising. During a speech at OMMA New York, eMarketer CEO Geoff Ramsey noted that digital ad spend will increase 32% over the next year—totaling nearly $28.8 billion. Of that total, 1.3 billion is expected to be spent on Web video advertising. 

Online video may be used to help marketers extend the reach of their brand and increase awareness, however, the industry as a whole has yet to implement a means to measure this exposure and effectively prove ROI.  This creates yet another challenge for marketers looking to embrace online video. 

The solution may be a combination of traditional and unconventional online advertising techniques.  Moving forward, we may see marketers utilizing online video to enhance the user experience on what would traditionally be a static website; then, through measurable, established online advertising (i.e., search, display), increase traffic to the destination site, building awareness.   

Does Video Advertising On The Internet Work?

There is no doubt that online video, and online video advertising are growing.  eMarketer predicts by 2011, 86% of US consumers will watch video online.  Furthermore, eMarketier predicts by this year, US online video ad spend will reach $4.3 billion.  While advertisers are eager to spend in this growing space, they are faced with the challenges of successfully engaging with their target audience, as well as providing measurable results. 

ROO UK Senior Vice President, Tony Martin recently contributed an article to iMedia UK discussing these, and other issues faced by advertisers in their attempts to embrace and monetize online video.

The Power of Online Radio Websites

A recent study by the Media Audit indicated that almost one-fifth of Americans visit radio websites during the course of an average day. What’s even more interesting—a separate study by the Media Audit highlights the advantages radio websites may offer in the upcoming political election.  Sited in the study, 70% of radio website visitors are active voters, compared to approximately 60% of the general market. The latter study also notes that 17.6% of adult online visitors who visit radio websites are aslo more active as voters than the average adult Internet visitor.

This is exciting news for marketers looking to reach an engaged audience of online consumers actively involved in the political process--consumers such as those frequenting the websites powered by ROO partner, Townhall.com.  We’ve recently activated nine new video players (four in the country’s top radio markets) for Townhall. Look for more in the upcoming weeks. For a sample, check out the new videos available online at AM 920 WGKA, Atlanta.

More Flash Players for ROO

Happy Friday!

More and more of our clients are migrating from the original ROO-HTML player to our cool new Flash-player. As I’ve mentioned before, we can’t be more excited about this, because with our new Flash-player we’re able to offer a host of enhanced features including integrated playlists, Media RSS and so much more.

Check out the new and improved Excite.com video player. I recommend the music channel.

NBC Begins Using Push Technology

Yesterday, NBC announced they will be launching a new service, “NBC Direct,” which will enable users to download and view popular NBC programming directly to their desktops for up to one week after broadcast.

The company mentions that later in the beta launch, users will be able to pre-select their favorite NBC programs and have those shows automatically delivered to their computers immediately after broadcast. This type of subscription-based “Push” delivery is not new.  ROO and our newly formed division, ROO Business Solutions (RBS), are also working with this kind of technology to help business deliver quality online experiences though peer-enablement—and Push delivery.

RBS has created the Peer Distribution Network (PDN)—a peer-enabled (Peer-2-Peer) network that allows for high-capacity file delivery. The PDN seamlessly integrates with existing networks, supports all digital devices, delivery methods, DRM and so much more. We’ve created a client that can be installed into any type of device — gaming consoles, set top boxes, mobile phones — all of which help make the delivery of digital content more efficient.

Learn more about RBS.

The NY Post Sets Its "Sites" on ROO

Earlier this month I mentioned that 92 of the top 100 US-based Newspapers are utilizing online video. With that said, ROO is pleased to announce the launch an enhanced Video Player for the fifth largest newspaper in the country, the NY Post!

We have implemented a unique solution that will enable The Post to not only syndicate ROO content, but also create and showcase original content.  Perhaps the Meet Market will begin video taping their dates.

Check out the Video Player here.   

Shiny Media is Working with ROO

Yesterday we announced our partnership with the UK’s fastest growing new media publisher, Shiny Media.

Working with Shiny, ROO will be launching three cutting-edge online video channels featuring technology, fashion and lifestyle content.  The first of these is sponsored by LG and is now active on Shiny Media’s award-winning fashion blog, CatwalkQueen.TV. 

Look for more to come from ROO on Shiny Media’s TechDigest.tv, ShinyShiny.tv and Shoewawa.com—some of which are also celebrating today’s very special holiday—International Talk Like a Pirate Day! Ahoy!

ROO UGC Goes Country

With the popularity of user generated content sites such as YouTube, MySpace and Facebook, it is no wonder eMarketer has projected ad revenues from UGC sites will climb to 4.3 billion by 2011. 

Moreover, an April 2007 Accenture study indicated nearly 70% of senior media executives surveyed felt their businesses will profit through UGC within three years; while 62% felt they would profit through advertising and sponsorship of social media. UGC via online video, mobile, blogs is hot—consumers all want their 15 minutes of fame.  And ROO is happy to help.

We have recently partnered with ABC Radio Network’s American Country Countdown to enable a UGC component for the company’s Superstar Content. Aspiring country stars are able to upload a 30-second clip showcasing their vocal talents to the ACC site.  Each week five videos are selected by a panel of experts and posted to the ACC-powered ROO Video Player.  Visitors are then able to vote on their favorite budding Superstar.

Showcase your inner Country Music Superstar here.

Enhancing the Online Video Viewing Experience

Several months ago, in an effort to enhance our product offering, our technology team developed a customizable Flash Video Player. This 100% Flash-based product enables clients to deliver a quality online viewing experience in any browser.

The Player features an integrated playlist for easy video navigation, synchronized IMU incorporation, video search, RSS, My Playlist, email a friend and more.

While we continue to support the HTML-based version of our Player, we are working hard to migrate interested clients to the Flash Player. The UK-based site, GMTV recently completed the switch. 

Check it out here.