Mobile Video Driving Brand Marketing

Think With Google recently posted an article explaining how the use of mobile video can be a new driving factor when it comes to brand marketing — and with the numbers reported, it just makes common sense.

The numbers, compiled by Google and Ipsos, indicate that most millennials aged 18-34 utilize a smartphone for their information most often, considering it far less distracting than watching something on television.

The numbers also show that, out of all the video watched on smartphones, 40 percent of it comes from YouTube, enabling the possibility of mobile advertising through certain marketers. The channel already carries a good amount of advertisements, but, like Jello, there’s always room for more.

Out of those owning a smartphone in that market, a whopping 98 percent use them to watch video content, compared to 81 percent for television. Computers and tablets fall behind, with 56 and 19 percent, respectively. The chart below shows just how much smartphones have jumped ahead.

Those polled indicated that they only watch video on TV approximately 28 percent of the time, mainly due to the fact it can be distracting — and those millennials are twice as likely to focus on watching video through their smartphones over TV, due to the more up-close-and-personal nature of the device.

So where can brand advertisers make this market work for them According to Think With Google, there are two key areas. The first is thinking multi-screen with their campaigns, with a companion experience built with the smartphone in mind. The second is with creating in-the-moment experiences, with a better outreach to audiences in general, instead of just a plain medium, like sticking solely with television advertisements.

Volkswagen is a good example of this, launching a SmileDrive app that utilizes mobile devices and YouTube to create a shareable experience for those stuck in a morning commute. The move has certainly paid off, as more than 200,000 people have taken part in that experience.

Yes, it’s just a matter of outreach — and don’t be surprised if more companies tend to follow this example.

Mazda Co-Sponsoring SXSW In 2015

The South By Southwest Festival, or SXSW, is still month away from kicking off, but that isn’t stopping it from revving its engine with a new sponsor.

Mazda’s North American Operations has announced that it has signed a three-year partnership with the yearly festival, which takes place in Austin, Texas. The deal will run through 2017 starting with the next event, which will take place between March 13 and 22, according to Mediapost.

“After spending time at last year’s SXSW in Austin, we knew it was the right fit for the Mazda brand and were eager to expand upon our presence moving forward,” said Russell Wager, VP marketing for the automaker’s U.S. operation. “Music, Film and technology are passion points for Mazda customers and our official partnership with the festival will allow us to connect with them on a deeper level, in one of the most forward-thinking environments around.”

Mazda will act as the official automotive sponsor for the event, which also features promotional partners such as Monster Energy, IFC, Miller Lite, and Esurance AT&T. And that’s also not including the other promotional events that happen around the festival, such as Oreo’s Grab & Go campaign, as well as the Samsung TechSet Blogger Lounge.

This isn’t the first time that Mazda has taken part in a stylish campaign, as it previously had a campaign surrounding the 25th anniversary of its Miata model, and its new MX-5 Miata. The special, Fashion Rocks, aired in CBS during Fashion Week in New York, and drew big performers, including Pitbull, J. Lo and Usher, among others.

Clearly, SXSW is a big move forward for the company, and more than likely, we’ll see more advertising for the new 2016 MX-5 from it, including possible digital tie-ins similar to what Fashion Rocks had earlier in the year, per the live promotional site {link no longer active].

Coke Versus Pepsi: Which Wins On YouTube?

by Jessica Klein

Coke vs. Pepsi — the debate has been ongoing for years. But which one is doing better where it really counts — on YouTube (Yeah, we said it.)

Luckily, Zefr, using its BrandID technology, recently collected data on how fan-uploaded and taste-test videos for the competing beverage brands were performing on YouTube, so you can thank them for helping to clarify how YouTube creators and viewers weigh in on this heated discussion.

You can also thank the people already enacting the “Coke or Pepsi” query on YouTube. Because of them, 834 videos that feature taste-test comparisons of the two beverages have been posted on the site, adding up to a total of over 32 million views.

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“Pepsi Challenge” videos mark a separate campaign comparing the colas that began back in the 1970s. Zefr found that the campaign’s still going strong on YouTube, where there are currently 731 “Pepsi Challenge” videos. These videos attracted over 2.7 million cumulative viewers to engage with the content, resulting in over 44,000 likes, dislikes, and comments on the videos.

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Now for the real breakdown: Which soda brand has gotten more total views on the video platform, Coke or Pepsi

Coke comes out as the overwhelming champion. While Coke content has gained roughly 3.5 billion views on YouTube, Pepsi’s gotten less than 2 billion. (Note that fan videos including Coke and Pepsi contribute to the numbers of both sodas.)

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However, Pepsi has some hope for catching up to Coke on the video platform. While Coke fans created 82 percent of the brand’s videos on the ‘Tube, fans accounted for 87 percent of videos about Pepsi. So while YouTube clearly indicates Coke as the winner of the “cola wars,” it seems like Pepsi fans are making an effort to get their (minority) opinion out there on the web.

This article was originally posted on VideoInk and is reposted on [a]listdaily via a partnership with the news publication, which is the online video industry’s go-to source for breaking news, features, and industry analysis. Follow VideoInk on Twitter @VideoInkNews, or subscribe via thevideoink.com for the latest news and stories, delivered right to your inbox.

Facebook’s Answer To Reddit Is ‘Rooms’

Facebook has launched Rooms today for the iPhone, and it is finally not a copy app of something else, like, ahem, Slightshot. Rooms allows users to create micro message boards on whatever topic they choose and to invite others to join in on them.

The boards have functions like other message boards do, like moderators, pinned posts, and so forth but will also allow you to create a username and identity for each room, changing the theme of the room and how the “Like” button appears. Interestingly, Rooms is completely separate from your Facebook.

The opportunities for brands to use this new app are pretty obvious. Brands can curate rooms, conversations, and foster unique communities or participate in communities that are relevant to them. Imagine communities built around game or film releases where a page shares their unique Rooms OR code, allowing their most dedicated of fans access to content that can only be found there.

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“We are a tool for making things, so your room brand should be ahead of ours,” said Rooms app creator, Josh Miller. “There’s no Facebook icon or name here. If Apple let us, we’d let each room be a separate app.”

“Communities are just as addictive as things like Facebook,” said Miller.

[a]listdaily will be keeping watch on what brands do with this new app these next few days as Rooms are likely to have more staying power than Facebook’s recent experiments.

CREATIVE: Top Trailers For The Week – 10/23 Edition

Welcome back to the Top Trailers For the Week, where we select the best in movies, TV and video game highlights for the period ending October 23. Today, we’ve got some exciting stuff on tap, so let’s start with an obvious favorite…

 

With the game set to launch in about ten days, the hype for Activision’s Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare couldn’t be greater. Featuring a new futuristic approach to the popular series, this entry also features the presence of Academy Award winning actor Kevin Spacey, who promises to deliver an impact as the main financier of one of the nation’s most powerful private armies. Advanced Warfare releases on November 4th for Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3, although purchasers of the Day Zero pack can access the game 24 hours earlier.

 

Microsoft took a huge leap forward with its original programming for Xbox consoles, with the debut of a teaser trailer for its forthcoming Halo series, Nightfall. Featuring impressive visual effects and strong performances, this live-action spin-off of the popular game series promises to be a hit – especially with executive producer Ridley Scott behind the project. Nightfall will be available for viewing on November 11th, as part of the forthcoming Halo: The Master Chief Collection for Xbox One.

 

Sony announced that it will be holding a PlayStation Experience event on December 6th and 7th in Las Vegas, enabling thousands of fans to come down and play exclusive games, as well as chat with developers and take part in other contests and giveaways. Tickets will be available through the PlayStation site starting tomorrow.

 

Last but not least, Sony also scored big numbers this week with its new live-action “Friendly Competition” ad, featuring a pair of players facing off in a variety of games in real-time, including NBA 2K15, Far Cry 4 and Destiny.