Welcome to the Weekly Video Round-Up!

Every week we take a look at how companies are using video to communicate with customers, employees and investors.

One World One Ocean

In an effort to expand awareness of conservation efforts of the world’s ocean, the conservation group One World One Ocean has launched an online video series that covers topics like sustainable seafood programs, pollution and even weekly diving sessions. In line with its goal to spark a mass movement to save the world’s ocean, OWOO’s online programming will feature tailored content for all audiences – adventurers, adults and kids alike – available for viewing on all devices, including TV, tablets and mobile devices.

The organization hopes that through great storytelling in the form of films, photography and must-watch online programming like this series, viewers understand the state of the ocean today, and feel compelled to take action. There has been plenty on documentary films produced surrounding this topic, but to make it so readily available and accessible online is a unique approach.

Audio 911

Audio Technica enlisted the help of YouTube dance phenomenon, Marquese Scott, for this spot. Although it’s a little lengthy, the mind blowing moves quickly make you forget it’s an ad at all.

Hyundai – Modern Life

There’s no doubting the ‘comfortable’ and ‘quiet’ features of the Azera after watching this ad. Directed by Wes Anderson specifically for the Oscars, the ad is as artful as it is entertaining.

Miracle Whip – The Village

Spoofing the classic story, The Scarlett Letter, the brand does a great job of recognizing the ‘fatty’ reputation and addresses the judgement Miracle Whip lovers face from the more health-conscious consumer.

Welcome to the Weekly Video Round-Up!

Every week we take a look at how companies are using video to communicate with customers, employees and investors.

Bing Originals

Bing recently produced a series of videos centered around their new slogan ‘Bing is for doing’. As explained on the official Microsoft blog; ‘ These videos are part of a new campaign for Bing, highlighting people doing interesting things. Bing has traditionally highlighted the decisions people make and now, with this new campaign, Bing will illustrate how decisions enable people to go beyond searching to doing.’

The video campaign is targeted towards Gen Y, featuring high profile musicians and athletes, hoping to appeal to a market that is more focused on accomplishments and innovation, and are heavily influenced by peer-to-peer recommendations. Going beyond traditional advertising or even viral campaigns, Bing hopes to distinguish their services from other search engines by taking a more proactive approach; showing users their services connect you to the answers you are looking for, but also show you how it’s done and how to get there.

Sharpie – The Wedding

Sharpie is a staple in most offices, but the brand chose to recognize the more fun uses of their product in this ad, particularly in a bachelor party scenario.

Home Sweet Home

The Belgium sugar company Tiense Suiker managed to create a pretty sweet story (pun intended) as we follow the adventures of a sugar cube man as he travels back home.

Bohemian Rhapsody

Las Vegas hotel the Cosmopolitan uses Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody as a theme to promote their hotel. Not sure what the song has to do with a Vegas hotel, but it’s a fun spot to watch nonetheless.

Welcome to the Weekly Video Round-Up!

Every week we take a look at how companies are using video to communicate with customers, employees and investors.

Behind The Scenes At Starbucks

In an effort to showcase the internal operations of the brand, Starbucks created a series of ‘behind the scenes’ type videos to show what it’s like to work for the company. The videos follow employees from different departments and get their perspective on the day-to-day operations. Not only does it give a first hand look at what it’s like to work for a big name like Starbucks, but it also shows the strong culture and work environment. Instead of simply reading about the company and what they have to offer, viewers can see, hear and feel it from current leaders and team members.

By giving an inside look to potential candidates, Starbucks is able to cover all the typical questions job seekers have and allow outsiders to decide for themselves if they are a fit for the organization. A good recruitment video covers the most crucial questions job seekers have about why they should apply for your organization. Once job seekers understand what it means to work and be successful at your company, those who do not possess the relevant skills or see themselves as a cultural fit will be dissuaded from applying. As a result, they’ll effectively weed themselves out (saving you the trouble of doing it later).

Kraft Milkbite Mel

Kraft’s Milkbite is introduced by Mel, an anxious and confused character, in a spot that is a hilarious take on the normally ‘peppy’ mascots that accompany brands.

Collapsing Towers

Promoting wind power isn’t exactly the ’sexiest’ of subjects but this spot does such a great job of speaking to the subject using only stock footage and a bit of animation. Brilliant!

ADD – Parking Spot

We’re quite impressed with how this simple time-lapse brings awareness to people with disabilities and leaves a lasting impression of the cause.

Welcome to the Weekly Video Round-Up!

Every week we take a look at how companies are using video to communicate with customers, employees and investors.

Sunshine Village Gets Social

For many people, holidays are one of the biggest purchases of the year, and it’s a decision that takes time and research. Stats show that at least 80% of travelers research their trips online, and 46% of personal travelers are watching travel related videos, versus 36% two years ago. There is no shortage of travel blogs and review sites on the internet, which makes it easy for any trip-planner to access information and compare destinations.

As a popular ski destination among travelers and locals, Sunshine Village puts a heavy emphasis on their online presence to ensure they stay connected to their new and returning customers. Along with lift ticket and hotel deals, Sunshine also puts recent photos and video on the homepage to give a glimpse of current conditions, terrain and user uploaded content. This is an excellent selling feature for the ski resort, as it encourages sharing and facilitates conversation and interaction amongst users. These features also eliminate the need for visitors to refer to other sites for videos and photos, keeping traffic and potential visitors on the Sunshine site.

Audi – Snowy Weather

In this video, Audi aims to show that almost everyone hates winter, except the Quattro.

Best Buy Innovation

Best Buy hit a branding home run with this spot, featuring some of mobile technology’s biggest innovators and positioning their services amongst the forward-thinking group.

Day Made of Glass 2

Corning just released the second part of their virtual hit ‘A Day Made of Glass’. This video is an extension of the same day featured in the first video, and the effects are just as amazing.

2011 brought some remarkable advances in technology, which greatly influenced how people and businesses communicate. In particular, it’s been an exciting year for online video and we’re expecting 2012 to be just as memorable. Here are our top 10 predictions for online video for the next 12 months. If you’re in the corporate communications business, we’re sure these predictions will be of interest to you:

1. Video becomes mainstream

Companies spent the last few years testing online video and the results are in: video gets a passing grade for being one of the most effective and efficient forms of communication. In 2012 you will see online video communication become the standard for large corporations.

2. More Online Video Campaigns

The fact of the matter is that fresh, updated content keeps people engaged. This is why companies are starting to create video campaigns, as opposed to one-offs. Whether it’s for internal or external purposes, in 2012 companies will shift their mentality from one-off videos to full video campaigns.

3. Video Everywhere

Video is no longer only accessible at corporate offices. With high speed mobile internet, workers in the field now have equal access to online video, and corporations will use this to their advantage. Video-capable mobile devices in combination with high speed wireless internet will drive the demand for video everywhere.

4. Video will start to Just Work on all devices

The average person doesn’t care about HTML5 vs Flash, and all that other technobabble. Viewers  just want to press play and watch a video. Luckily, in 2012 tech gurus will figure out ways to make your videos work on all devices, hassle free.

5. Video & Social Media will officially get married

Adding video to your social media updates will be made quick and easy by the end of 2012. And when it’s easy, people are going to do it. This is why we predict all social media platforms will include video by the end of 2012.

6. Online Video Advertising continues to grow

The truth is there are way more people online than reading newspapers or listening to the radio. This is why more and more advertising dollars are being directed from those formats into online video advertising.  We’ll see this trend continue in 2012.

7. Video gets the green light from IT departments

Whether it’s bandwidth limitations of security concerns there are still quite a few companies that have restrictions on video within their internal networks. This has been changing slowly, but in 2012 we’ll see a major floodgate opening simply because access to video has become required for business.

8. Low quality video accepted but not preferred

This year we’ll start to see an increase in the quality of corporate content simply because companies are realizing the value of video and are starting to invest more into it. The same thing happened with websites back in the late 1990’s. The point is low quality will continue to be acceptable in 2012 but high quality video will be preferred.

9. Big companies are now in the broadcast game

The high demand for good corporate video will result in large companies choosing to develop well thought out strategies for their video communications. Say goodbye to long boring corporate videos, the most successful videos will not only inform your audience but entertain them as well.

10. A transition from written to visual

You’re already starting to see it in the newspaper business where traditional print mediums are now using video online. Even for those long winded written articles found on your websites or emails, video is much more effective. This is why companies will shift their medium of choice from written communications to visual.