Our task highlighted just what you can do with video content and how you can make your message more memorable.  If a picture is worth a thousand words then video has the potential to pack an impressive punch.

According to recent research by Google’s DoubleClick, rich media generates somewhere between a 400% and 700% increase in viewer engagement and response rates compared to static content. It’s no surprise when you can condense pages of text into a short snappy video of a minute or so.

Not only this, but it can also help cultivate your online community. The number of online video users is expected to double to more than 1 billion people by 2015. So, there’s certainly a captive audience, looking to consume and engage with video content. And with video is becoming increasingly favourable in the search engine rankings, it’s well worth investing in some eye-catching videos for your website or blog.

TMIM has featured a video series looking at using video beyond conventional public relations so that it generates leads as well.  In terms of PR, video can really bring company to life and set your company apart from the crowd. Overall it gives you license to deliver your content in a much more creative way.

But the smart thing to do is create videos that both enhance your reputation and generate leads. Existing and new audiences can be reached through a medium that has engagement at its heart, so why not make the most of it and deliver compelling content that features real life case studies that demonstrate the benefits your business brings, with personable spokespeople that can deliver the key messages?

Engaging video content presents a more credible view of your company and customer endorsements will boost your reputation and result the all-important sales.

Learning a language is ideal for improving your communications skills. Apart from the obvious skill of being able to speak another language, learning a new one from scratch reminds you of all those little grammatical rules you may have forgotten about.

It’s a great opportunity to meet new people and you’ll quickly build your confidence through the extremely nerve racking practise of trying to speak another language out loud in front of people you don’t know.

And of course another language will boost your CV, although I think it’ll be a while before i’m able to converse about specialist technology in Finnish!

* If you do go to Helsinki I would recommend trying heavy metal karaoke.

In terms of brand attention, it is Nokia that is grabbing most of the interest. Despite talk at the Open Mobile Summit around Nokia’s uphill battle to halt a decline in its market share, it has also courted attention around its Ovi maps navigation system by offering free cab rides and that of its N8 Smartphone.

However, Nokia and Google didn’t grab all the headlines, it was the National Literacy Trust’s survey on Kids More Likely to Own a Cellphone Than a Book that ranked as the most popular news story on Twitter.

The move has lead to criticism of HP’s strategy, when the Mac has such strong affiliation with the show and is seen to be the brand for ‘creative’ and ‘arty’ types.

Reaction has tended to fall in two camps: HP’s strategy will fail either because 1) product placement has become passé and easy to overlook 2) because the inclusion of HP’s products is an obvious marketing ploy.

Whether or not people will see Carrie using an HP Laptop and immediately want one, remains to be seen. But SATC is bound to be a huge blockbuster giving HP much wider audience exposure. SATC has always been associated with high fashion and has a reputation for trendsetting, which can only be a positive association for the brand.

The announcement that it will be appearing in the SATC film has alone generated a lot of attention for the brand with much discussion online, particularly on Twitter. Is it really a clever move on behalf of HP or a case of misplaced marketing spend? Let me know what you think.

However, the typical hot pink accessories that accompany computer engineer Barbie, have prompted a #pinkbacklash on Twitter. @laurelatoreilly says “Getting more women involved tech is much more complicated than geek Barbie & “pinking” products.”. A fair point, a toy can only do so much. But, it is a step in the right direction at least. And, on the plus side at least it isn’t a Barbie WAG.

The internet generation are used to accessing content for free so may baulk at the idea of paying. But online publications aren’t pulling in advertising revenue like they used to so it’s no wonder there is an increase in those looking to charge for material.

However, those charging for content will need to offer something unique. It could be that a two-tier system emerges. Mass market media brands will opt for free content hoping for a large circulation to attract advertisers and other more specialist media will charge hoping that high quality specialist stories will attract subscribers. Whatever happens 2010 will see major changes in online content and the way it becomes available to us, with technology developments allowing us to consume more media content at a faster pace.