Interactive Marketing Spend Up in the US

According to a new Forrester Research report, interactive marketing spending in the US is expected to triple over the next five years, reaching $61 billion by 2012. After surveying 344 interactive marketing professionals, Forrester found:

• Online video ads will significantly increase. Growing consumer adoption of online video will result in a dramatic 72% increase in online video ad spending to $7.1 billion by 2012. More customer-centric online video applications will increase the medium's appeal for consumers and marketers.
• Display advertising is expected to reach $14 billion by 2012, and will be an essential supporting role in all interactive campaigns.

ROO UGC Services in Action

In our ongoing efforts to provide safe and easy ways for businesses to create an open dialogue with consumers, ROO is please to announce the UGC component of the Big Brother Australia site has been activated.

Visitors to the Network Ten owned site have the opportunity to submit a 90-second audition clip. The show’s viewers will have the opportunity to vote for who they do—and do not—want to reside in the Big Brother 2008 house.

Want to be on the show? Check it out here.

Regulating Internet Video? Really?

A recent poll conducted by a Washington D.C. public relations firm, 63 Communications noted that more than half of US residents would like to see Internet video regulated by the government.  Furthermore, 29% of those surveyed indicated Internet video should be regulated the same way as TV content—including instituting an online rating system.

Really, guys?? The great thing about online video is it allows total freedom of expression.  Content that was once dismissed by traditional media finds new and engaging audiences online.  What will happen if we begin regulating the Internet the same way we regulate TV and movies? Will there be a place for the Wake Up Cat or Chad Vader?

ROO Launches a Video Solution for the Nashville Edge

We are pleased to announce the launch of our newest video player on The Nashville Edge, a leading destination site for local happenings in and around Nashville, Tennessee.  In addition to incorporating a main portal ROO player, the Nashville Edge is also utilizing a mini-player on the site’s main page. 

ROO Provides Local and Regional News Coverage

Through a recent partnership with Fox Television Stations across the country, ROO is now able to syndicate local and regional news coverage to our network.  We now provide coverage in all major markets including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington D.C.

Check it out on ROOtv.com.

ROO Content Continues to Kick-Butt!

We have recently acquired content from the Fight Network—a leader in combat sports entertainment.  The newly created ROO Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) channel features fantastic finishes, ultimate fighting championship clips, wrestling highlights and more. 

Check out all the action here.

ROO UGC in Action

A few weeks ago we launched UGC services for ABC Network's American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks.  Listeners were encouraged to visit the site and submit a video of themselves singing their favorite country tune. Viewers are now able to watch video of and vote for the next Country Superstar.

Check out the latest contestants, courtesy of ROO video technology.

Fancy New ROO Mini-Players for News Digital

We are pleased to announce we have implemented the first of many category specific Mini-Players across our properties.  The first player of this type has been activated on Australia’s Daily Telegraph, a News Digital property. Showcasing select video clips highlighting the Australian Federal election, the Mini-Player provides a complementary enhancement to the site.  The Mini-Player is a custom built, Flash/HTML hybrid and supports pre-roll advertising.

Keep your eyes peeled, as we’ll be rolling out more Mini-Players across multiple News Digital properties in the upcoming weeks.

Check out the Daily Telegraph’s Federal Election player.

Fountains of Wayne Friday

Happy Friday! Two great things in one: Fountains of Wayne and Demetri Martin

ROO Continues to Grow with Local Tool Box

In March, ROO announced our partnership with Local Tool Box, a leader in community web-based portal creation.  For the past few months, our technology and client service teams have been busy launching branded video players for many Local Tool Box affiliate websites, including sites owned by Mediacom, Western Broadband, Northland Cable, Portal Ready and others.  Joining the growing list of Local Tool Box sites featuring ROO-powered video is Canby.com.

Check out their great new ROO Video Portal.