James Delahunty
12 Jul 2007 4:05
U.S. online video syndication firm Brightcove has announced deals with content providers in the UK to carry video clips on its Web site. Some of the deals struck include online versions of magazines Heat, Nuts and Elle UK. The deals will enable companies like British media group Emap Plc's Heat magazine to run advert-supported videos on its www.heatworld.com Web site. Brightcove also stuck a deal with Sony BMG.
The deals with Brightcove, which follow similar agreements with U.S. companies, come as media companies attempt to lure readers online and take advantage of the lucrative Internet video advertising market. Brightcove Chief Executive Jeremy Allaire said advertising around online video allowed marketers to target niche online audiences through high-quality brand-building adverts that are usually reserved for TV broadcasting.
"(Online video) is a huge priority. Consumers are spending more time on the Internet and the ad dollars are going there so (media companies) have to figure out what are the compelling products to offer through that environment," Allaire said. "Also broadband video advertising is operating at a significant premium right now so if you can deliver media products into the TV advertising space online you can achieve significant premiums."
Allaire said the launch in Britain would be the start of a wider roll-out in Europe and he also hoped to operate in Asia in the "not too distant future."
Source:
Yahoo (Reuters)