You Tube’s New Video Ad Platform

The rapid growth of online video has created a lot of interest with marketing professionals on how to best utilize video content websites as a marketing platform. While many video websites are looking for an effective means to index and tag videos, You Tube has also been busy revolutionizing the method of distributing advertisements to online video viewers.

Recently, You Tube introduced a new “semi-transparent” advertising overlay that covers the bottom 20 percent of the screen for up to the first 10 seconds of the video being played. According to You Tube, these advertisements are less annoying than the “pre-roll” video ads that are currently being used on other video sites.

The distribution method is based on the same principles of targeting traditional broadcast TV, (age, sex, geography and genre) combined with the measurability of online marketing mediums such as banner ads. Currently, there are about 20 advertisers using the “semi-transparent” advertising including New Line Cinema and BMW.

The Simpsons are Mobile: Minutes to Meltdown

Just a week before their blockbuster debut, the Simpsons have their first Mobile game, “Minutes to Meltdown.” The game was created by a team from Fox Mobile Entertainment, Gracie Films, EA Mobile and mobile entertainment company Jamba. Gamers will guide Homer through Springfield to stop a meltdown at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant with appearances by Bart, Mr. Burns and other favorites.

The Simpsons team have created a solid mobile platform that includes ringtones, voicetones, wallpapers, screensavers and the Simpsons mobile game. All of these mobile phone products can be purchased through the Simpsons’ mobile site. For $9.99 a month, subscribers can purchase 6 different Simpson content products for their cell phones. For some reason, the mobile game is not supported through Verizon or Virgin Mobile.

All the right steps and elements have been added to leverage this brand internationally. “Woo-Hoo” We will see the successes of these promotional and marketing efforts after next weeks release of the Simpsons Movie on July 27.

The Frenzy of iPhone Friday

We’ve all been patiently waiting and tomorrow at 6pm (local time), the Apple iPhone is officially on the market. The Frenzy all started Monday in New York City with enthusiasts forming lines to be the first to receive their iPhone. AT&T, the exclusive carrier, and Apple retail stores plan to increase security and employee forces to deal with the crowds.

The iPhone has become one of the most hyped product releases ever it is bound to change the mobile industry. There is still uncertainty about the phones performance and cost; $499 for the 4G and $599 for the 5G models. Regardless, the phone remains the talk of the mobile world for now.

Strange Craft

Strange Craft

Halo 3 or TRANSFORMERS Movie Viral Campaign? Alternate Reality Game?

Check out this very elaborate story and photos explaining details about these “strange craft” posted by Isaac X.

More about these strange craft:
Strange Craft on Message Boards
Strange Craft Google Search

Amazing attention to detail, great copywriting, great renders, great seeding, nice work!

Is this really a campaign, or is it really real?

Update. These craft have also been spotted on youtube: