Cygnus Multimedia

Why this Video Producer Doesn’t Really Like YouTube [OP-ED]

Wed, 15 May 2013 14:49:47 -0400

Why this Video Producer Doesn’t Really Like YouTube [OP-ED]:

Good insights related to business videos and the value YouTube does or doesn’t provide.

Video Emails Generate Click-Through Rate 8x Than Email Industry Average

Tue, 14 May 2013 15:11:41 -0400

Video Emails Generate Click-Through Rate 8x Than Email Industry Average:

Every e-mail should have a video in it!

101 Ways To Make Money with YouTube & Web Videos | MonetizePros

Fri, 10 May 2013 11:08:36 -0400

101 Ways To Make Money with YouTube & Web Videos | MonetizePros:

Tons of great resources for monetizing and optimizing videos.

AOL Introduces Be On to Create and Distribute Branded Content

Thu, 09 May 2013 09:47:01 -0400

AOL Introduces Be On to Create and Distribute Branded Content:

I think this may be the blueprint for video. From creative to production to distribution, AOL is building it all out. They’ll be able to capitalize on all fronts.

The key item, inho, is if they’ll be able to continue to scale and retain viewers making AOL On and/or it’s syndicate sites the top-of-mind, first-stop destination for video that YouTube currently has a strangle-hold on. But then again, this model may allow them to generate enough revenue on the production and distribution side where they don’t need to be the pure numbers leader. I think it will come to the type of audience they can attract. Is it a bunch of one-off viewers or will it truly be a must-see, return visit destination.

Why Businesses Must Invest in Online Video Marketing

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 10:04:57 -0400

Why Businesses Must Invest in Online Video Marketing

A great take on the synergy between creation of video content...

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 10:18:45 -0400

A great take on the synergy between creation of video content that is fueled by the support of brands. It’s summed up very in this video with Shira Lazar - Host & Executive Producer of What’s Trending “We talk to [brands] about what they’re working on, their focus and their initiative, and we figure out interesting, creative ways to focus on their goals while also being loyal to our editorial and our community. I think that with the right brand, that understands the importance and value of that, we can create great content together.”

"…people sometimes want a video source of news, and putting videos where the people are, rather..."

Sat, 23 Feb 2013 10:00:37 -0500

“…people sometimes want a video source of news, and putting videos where the people are, rather that assuming they’re all going to meet up at your site, is a wise way to distribute news, and make some money.”

- http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/193937/maybe-legacy-publishers-could-save-themselves-by-t.html?edition=56889#axzz2LTmk5Hao

This is My Dream - A Video Player on Every Page

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 06:00:34 -0500

This is My Dream - A Video Player on Every Page:

I think this article does a good job of illustrating one element of what I consider to be a successful video strategy when it comes effective delivery and ultimately monetization. I would encourage you to read it.

Other elements of my strategy include distribution of your video beyond your own website, channelization and regular “programming” or publishing of videos. My ideas and strategy go much deeper, but that’s the high level.

If you want to know more about my strategies, drop me an e-mail or phone call (sam.simon@cygnus.com | 800 547 7377 x1319). I really enjoy talking about video production and strategy.

Finalist in min’s Best of the Web Awards Program

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 17:09:06 -0500

I’m excited to announce Cygnus Business Media. - MTtv: The Mass Transit TV Network has been selected as a finalist in min’s Best of the Web Awards program in the category of Video: Magazine-Branded Show.

Here’s a list of the finalists:

Bazaar - The Look
Condé Nast - Vogue.com/The Fashion Fund
Cygnus Business Media - MTtv Mass Transit Network
Marie Claire - Fashion Mission
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia - Everyday Food with Sarah Carey
Slate Magazine - Polical Kombat
Sports Illustrated - SI Underdogs
Virgo Publishing - Supplyside R&D Insights Documentary

Check out the latest episode of Mttv - http://www.masstransitmag.com/video/10877034/mttv-2-15-13

The Cygnus Multimedia production crew on location in Las Vegas,...

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 10:26:42 -0500

The Cygnus Multimedia production crew on location in Las Vegas, NV at MINExpo 2012 shooting “first-person” perspective videos using a GoPro Hero 2 mounted to a mining helmet. Here’s a link to view the end result.

How Much More Effective Are Online Video Ads than Standard Banners?

Fri, 28 Sep 2012 11:19:00 -0400

A: 27x more effective

In a research recently relased by MediaMind.com, it found that “the click-through rate (CTR) for online video is 27.4 times that of standard banners and almost 12 times that of rich media ads…In an analysis of over 3 billion ad impressions globally over the first six months of 2012, the MediaMind study, shows an increase in consumer attention to online video in ads.”

People love them some online video ads.

Thanks to @TomKohn for sharing this article with us.

Why Brands Need Video by The Pulse Network [Video]

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 15:53:03 -0400

Why Brands Need Video by The Pulse Network [Video]

The four steps of Cygnus Multimedia

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 10:25:18 -0400

The four steps of Cygnus Multimedia

Just Plain Awesome Use of Video

Fri, 08 Jun 2012 12:10:21 -0400

Just Plain Awesome Use of Video:

I’m a big music fan, I’m a huge proponent of the power of video. The two converge in a big way, starting today at 12:30 (central), where Bonnaroo Music Fest will be live streamed to the world. They will have around 18 live performances each day that can be viewed on YouTube. This is just plain awesome.

Sponsor of Video Series May See Enormous Return

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 09:19:00 -0400

We produce an online video series for the website MassTransitMag.com called Mass Transit TV. It launched in April with the sponsor. The sponsor had not been doing much advertising with our b2b publishing company for the past couple of years, but they opted to get involved with this series from the inception. So what was the payoff?

After one of the videos aired, the sponsor received a call from one (of about only five) of the major train manufacturers, saying they saw them on the video and wanted to get more information about the sponsors products for their trains. To put this in perspective, that’s like GM calling up a radio manufacturer and saying they want to discuss putting your radio in all their cars.

Pretty impressive stuff if you ask me. This further shows the value video has in boosting brand recognition and its positive ROI for marketers.

For marketers, get involved by sponsoring a video series. Where do you start? Contact me, I may know of a series or two that could fit your brand. Or launch your own series. We can help you out there as well.

Publishers, if you haven’t yet, it’s time to start moving on your video strategy. The world is waiting to watch it.

Video the Future for Media Sites

Wed, 16 May 2012 06:44:13 -0400

Video the Future for Media Sites:

This shouldn’t be a shock to many. But the conversation I had with an editor yesterday helped illustrate the challenge transitioning to video. Essentially the quote was “I’ll just add video to my list of stuff I don’t have enough time to get done already.”

The mindset shift isn’t that you know need to add video, it’s that you need to do video instead of traditional media. Stop spending hours sifting through news releases to republish and spend some of that time curating videos to share. Write one less article, make a couple of quick video updates.

The key being the future of media is video. It’s not to add on to what you’re doing, it’s a transition to what you should be spending your time doing.

christinebeardsell: Views Down, Engagement Up For YouTube (via...

Tue, 15 May 2012 13:44:46 -0400

christinebeardsell:

Views Down, Engagement Up For YouTube (via Engagement, Not Views, is Driving Today’s YouTube)

Video Production Idea: Trending Topics

Fri, 11 May 2012 09:57:57 -0400

Here’s an idea for a type of video production to develop - present trending topics, videos, social activity, news, etc. for an industry, vertical or niche. I’ve seen a couple of implementations of this type of video production. One is What’s Trending with Shira Lazar. There are plenty of other people on YouTube who follow this model - usually highlighting popular videos.

Pull together some “hot” tweets, a couple of viral videos, and most popular articles. Then make a video talking about these items while showing the video clips, tweets, etc. as you talk about them. You’re now the go-to authority on trending topics for your industry.

"Video advertising is most readily accepted when featured on mobile devices. 94 percent of tablet and..."

Thu, 10 May 2012 12:53:49 -0400

“Video advertising is most readily accepted when featured on mobile devices. 94 percent of tablet and smartphone users watch videos in their entirety, according to a study conducted by Adobe. Until now, however, the market of iPad and iPhone users remained untapped, as these devices would only play video ads in separate apps. Video ads incorporated into a website were not played by the browser on the Apple devices due to technical obstacles that block their transmission.”

- World Premiere: Video Advertising in the iPad Browser - MarketWatch (via christinebeardsell)

YouTube Doubles Down on Online Video

Fri, 04 May 2012 09:56:28 -0400

Remember that $100 million Google was going to spend on original content for YouTube? Well they just announced they’re investing $200 million. The $200 million will be spent across Google sites and its advertising network to promote the channels. There’s interesting point No. 1 - promoting your own content. How many of you are doing that? “Build it and they will come” is not a winning proposition. It doesn’t have to be paid promotion either. You can build that organically through bloggers, social media and other outlets.

Interesting point No. 2 is that in a call with reporters Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt shares insights on why the investment in video

We’re about to see another large explosion in the use of video

Another large explosion? I thought we were riding the large explosion of video. It’s only going to get bigger?!?!! Hop on, it’s going to be a rocket ride beyond the moon.