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February 2nd, 2012 by Katie Swan

Video killed the radio star

This week a group of us at Speed undertook a task to make a video in two and a half hours (including editing!). So they’re not going to win any Oscars, but we’re pretty pleased with our video tips in ‘Video PR: How To’ and search engine optimisation tips in ‘Speed’s SEO kitchen’.

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.

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February 1st, 2012 by nicole.hudspith

Video PR: How To

The PR world is changing rapidly and we, at Speed, want to keep on top of it! Therefore the majority, if not all, of Speed have been heavily involved in training in some way or another over the last couple of months.

This week it’s all about video. Do PR agencies know enough about video? Do they know how to do it right? And do they know how to make sure the content works on video? We are inclined to say that PRs do not know enough about video but we all know (or should know…) how to put compelling, written, pieces of content together. What’s stopping us from going a step further and being creative with these words?

Speed’s MD, Steve Earl, highlighted what video can be used for and examples of where it’s worked well and other where it hasn’t gone quite to plan. We also learnt the importance of lighting, framing and sound – a video without these in high-quality should really not be seen. Our resident video production company, Blueprint, talked us through some top tips, such as no fidgeting, no chequered shirts and filming next to a window – natural sometimes is the way forward! ;-) And then we were split up in teams; our team had to create a video on the value of video… oh the irony!

If you want to find out more about the challenges of video, the ample benefits and some top tips – please watch our Video PR: How To.

Thanks!

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March 2nd, 2010 by John Brown

Chatroulette – Master-bation, forni-cation and a big red flag for brands

So Chatroulette is the new live chat phenomenon that is sweeping the globe. For those that have not heard of it yet, Chatroulette randomly matches you up with strangers around the world for video, audio, and text chat.

After being told about this by a friend, I decided to spin the wheel for myself and see whether there was any value in the new online tool as a communication channel for brands and businesses. As you will be able to tell from my account below, the answer is a big fat no.

First I was confronted with a few teenagers who were quite upset at having an overweight PR guy come up on their live stream,  they quickly moved on in pursuit of better things.

However, my fourth spin of the chat wheel was a little more surprising to say the least. What appeared on my live feed was a middle aged man pleasuring himself. Clearly he was much more used to seeing shocked users than I was at seeing people like him and he paused, clicked the mouse and I was transported to another user.

Ten minutes in and a couple more naked guys later an ‘exhibitionist’ couple were performing for the camera, this I imagine was the pot of gold the teenagers at the start of my Chatroulette journey were looking for, I thought best to leave and let more appreciating users take advantage of the show.

It was not until the final moments did I meet an interesting user, a guitarist from Maine who wanted to play a couple of songs and get feedback.

So, overall my Chatroulette experience was a strange and pornographic one. I doubt I will be heading back any time soon and I am concerned at the lack of restrictions; by the looks of things anyone of any age can use the service, which is worrying.

Is there any value in using it as a marketing tool? Well French Connection thinks so as it has launched a Chatroulette competition. I am sure more will follow suit  and dive head first into the hype. Right now though I would not want any of my clients associated with it, something as unregulated and as seemingly seedy as this has the potential to seriously backfire.

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