Social TV startup SimulTV launched a video viewing app last month for tablets and the Web. According to a soon-to-be-released study from the startup, online video engagement is on the rise. The top 200 YouTube channels, very few of which come from major brands or media entities, have thus far published nearly 187,000 videos that have generated 144 billion views, 520 million comments and a billion “likes.” Leading areas include gaming, entertainment and comedy. Continue reading Online Video Trends: Tips for Increasing Viewer Engagement

According to a new study from social video tech firm Unruly Media, six-second Vine videos have experienced a massive popularity spike. The study indicates that nine videos are being posted to Twitter every second, up from five per second in April. The new numbers arrive shortly after Facebook’s Instagram announced the launch of its own short video service. Some have speculated that the move could impact Vine, which is owned by Twitter. Continue reading Vine Videos Shared via Twitter Nearly Double in Two Months

Earlier this week we reported that Facebook had scheduled a press event for Thursday, and if rumors were true, the company was expected to unveil a video service similar to Twitter’s Vine for its photo-sharing app Instagram. It’s now official. The popular Facebook-owned app features a new video-sharing tool that allows users to shoot and share 15-second clips (possibly ideal for advertising), choose from 13 video filters and create a cover photo. Continue reading Facebook Confirms Rumors, Unveils Instagram Video Tool

Viacom and Twitter have announced a new partnership to deliver social video advertising campaigns centered on popular Viacom shows and events from MTV, VH1, CMT, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, TV Land, Spike and others. Viacom is the latest to join the growing list of media companies involved with the Twitter Amplify partnership program. The Viacom partnership will launch with the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, August 25. Continue reading Viacom and Twitter Partner on Social Video Ad Campaigns

In response to gamers’ feedback, Microsoft announced yesterday that it will reverse some unpopular policies it had recently introduced for its soon-to-launch Xbox One game console. The company said it no longer plans to require that the Xbox be connected to the Internet daily. In addition, it will no longer restrict how game discs are traded, resold or rented. Microsoft had faced heavy criticism from gamers for its new restrictions on used games and game play. Continue reading Microsoft to Reverse Unpopular Policies for New Xbox One

Following its recent acquisition of Tumblr, Yahoo is in advanced talks to purchase social video app Qwiki for $50 million, according to sources familiar with the matter. The New York startup’s iPhone app allows users to create short movies from photos, music and video clips. Yahoo paid more than $1.1 billion for Tumblr several weeks ago and is reportedly close to purchasing San Francisco-based address book app creator Xobni for $30-$40 million. Continue reading Yahoo Continues Shopping Spree of Mobile App Companies

Facebook’s introduction of hashtags to its network may open new marketing possibilities for targeting the growing audience that uses mobile devices as second screens. According to Nielsen, nearly half of smartphone and tablet owners currently use their devices during TV viewing, often accessing content directly related to the shows they are watching. This demographic is ideal for planting ads, similar to what Twitter is doing with promoted tweets. Continue reading Facebook Hashtags All About the Second Screen Audience

If rumors prove true, Facebook’s photo-sharing app Instagram may soon include the ability to take and share short videos, similar to how Vine works. Following the company’s release of a hashtag feature and the rollout of its new iPhone and Android features, Facebook has scheduled a product launch event for Thursday in Menlo Park. “A small team has been working on a big idea,” reads the invitation. “Join us for coffee and learn about a new product.” Continue reading Mysterious Facebook Press Event to Unveil Instagram Video?

Last week, Facebook officially unveiled hashtags to its social platform, following months of speculation. Hashtags are immensely popular on Twitter, while gaining momentum on other social services such as Google+ and Instagram. The move could have significant implications regarding advertising potential and search engine optimization. Facebook is already encouraging brands to start including hashtags in their Facebook ads.  Continue reading Facebook Borrows from Twitter Ad Playbook with Hashtags

Google earned more than half of the $8.8 billion spent on global mobile Internet advertising in 2012, according to eMarketer’s first study on worldwide digital and mobile advertising. Google took in nearly one-third of all digital ad dollars spent worldwide. The market research firm notes that Google earned $4.61 billion in mobile Internet ads last year, three times its 2011 earnings. This year’s total mobile revenues are estimated to be up 92.1 percent to $8.85 billion. Continue reading Google Leads in Mobile Ad Revenue, Facebook on the Rise

Reality series “Summer Break,” scheduled to premiere on Monday, is taking a nontraditional approach by distributing its content exclusively via social media sites such as Twitter, Tumblr and Instagram. Producer Peter Chernin of the Chernin Group sees the future of entertainment in social media and his new show will test this theory, targeting a younger audience he hopes will turn to their mobile devices to follow the unscripted stories. Continue reading Summer Break: Reality Series Exclusively for Social Media

During yesterday’s Worldwide Developers Conference keynote, Apple introduced its much anticipated streaming music service. The free, ad-supported iTunes Radio will feature a sizable music catalog, thanks to deals Apple has made with all the major record labels. The service features algorithmically programmed stations, more than 200 genre-based stations and a station that reflects music currently trending on Twitter. Continue reading WWDC: Apple Introduces Ad-Supported iTunes Radio Service

Goldman Sachs recently reported that TV ratings have dropped by 50 percent over the last ten years, “the sharpest pace on record.” Ratings in the coveted 18-to-49-year-old demographic fell by 17 percent last winter compared with the previous year. Since 2004, studies have suggested that TV viewing would be one of the first leisure activities to be impacted by the Internet. However, while TV remains the dominant medium, digital natives are also turning to new forms of entertainment. Continue reading Will Tumblr and Twitter Define the Future of Television?

It’s that time of year again. Internet analyst Mary Meeker, general partner at venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, presented her annual Internet Trends report in California yesterday. Speaking at the D: All Things Digital conference in Rancho Palos Verdes, Meeker noted there are now 2.4 billion worldwide Internet users. Mobile usage is rapidly expanding, while the Internet is becoming more social and content rich. In the future we should anticipate wearable computing devices, connected cars, drones and other new platforms. Continue reading D11 Conference: Mary Meeker Presents Internet Trends Report

According to Cisco’s new Visual Networking Index (VNI) forecast, online video is growing faster than any other type of consumer service, and within four years online video services will be more popular than social networks such as Facebook and Twitter. The report predicts that by 2017 there will be 3.6 billion global Internet users and 19 billion global networked devices. Additionally, the average broadband speed will increase by a factor of 3.5 to 39 Mbps. Continue reading Cisco Says Online Video to Outpace Social Networks by 2017