vStream

vStream Launch Free Chocolate App for Cadbury!

2011-10-21T14:10:00.006+01:00

vStream, and partners MCSquared are proud to announce the launch of a chocolate giving smartphone app.

As part of its largest ever Irish marketing campaign, Cadbury Dairy Milk is launching the Cadbury Dairy Milk Share a Square Smartphone App in Ireland. The App will transform the user’s Smartphone into a virtual bar of Cadbury Dairy Milk offering a range of interactive features from peeling back the wrapper on screen to breaking a virtual square of Cadbury Dairy Milk. A key element of the App will see it integrated with Facebook to allow users to share virtual squares with their Facebook friends. When users collect 8 squares they will then be rewarded with a real bar of Cadbury Dairy Milk during the current campaign which will run until the end of November with additional App updates released for future campaigns.

A QR code designed using squares of Cadbury Dairy Milk will appear on POS in-store in addition to print advertising directing consumers to the App store and Android marketplace to download the App free of charge. The ‘Unwrap & Snap’ function of the App will enable the user to unwrap a bar of Cadbury Dairy Milk on screen by sliding their finger down the bar. The bar can then be snapped and a virtual square broken off to send to a friend as part of the ‘Share a Square’ feature. Once a user has received 8 virtual squares of Cadbury Dairy Milk from their friends, they will be prompted to claim their free 8 square bar of Cadbury Dairy Milk in their local Centra store in ROI.

Commenting on the new Cadbury Dairy Milk Share a Square App, Aideen Murphy, Brand Manager for Cadbury Dairy Milk said: “The Cadbury Dairy Milk Share a Square App is an exciting new development for the brand, providing a wonderful opportunity for consumers to engage with our iconic 8 square bar of Cadbury Dairy Milk, albeit virtually! The size, shape and weight of a standard Smartphone is similar to a bar of Cadbury Dairy Milk providing us with an opportunity to tempt consumers with the ‘Unwrap & Snap’ and ‘Share a Square’ features. The App plays a key role in the wider Cadbury Dairy Milk integrated marketing campaign which was designed to create a temptation trail reminding consumers about the irresistible taste of Cadbury Dairy Milk.”

The Cadbury Dairy Milk Share a Square App is available to download from the App Store and the Android Market.

All your Christmases come early!

2011-10-21T13:57:00.005+01:00

I know it's crazy early to be thinking about this, but each year we get a flurry of calls at the end of November looking for eCards. So this year we've decided to do something different to beat the Christmas rush!

1. Any briefs recieved before 1st November get a 15% discount upon engagement

2. 10% of proceeds of all cards will go to Nurture Africa, vStream's charity of choice this Christmas

As you know, we do all the design, production, animation, hosting, tracking, reporting etc, and below are some examples of previous years work:

If you're interested in discussing further, please contact Sharon O'Neill (sharon@vstream.ie) or call 01-6622345. Please feel free to pass on to anyone who may be interested.

Client: National Concert Hall Brief: Develop and interactive, drag and drop animation, personalised eCard. Link: http://nationalconcerthall.vstream.ie/ecard/ (or click the image)
Client: Shamrock Foods (Valeo) Brief: Create an interior Cristmas scene, with a Toy Story feel, including all Valeo brands in the creative Link: http://www.vstream.ie/shamrock/ (or click the image)
Client: Jameson (Irish Distillers) Brief: Develop a festive representation of the Jameson brand and bottle. Link: http://www.vstream.ie/jameson/eCard/(or click the image)
Client: RTÉ Brief: Create a fully PERSONLISED eCard, with an animated version of the Christmas RTE Guide, and the worlds most annoying Christmas song! Link: http://www.vstream.ie/rte/creator/ (or click the image to the right)
Client: vStream Brief: Make a tit out of the boss! Link:http://www.vstreamstudios.com/webtv/beta1/channels/christmas/ (or click the image to the left)

Web Developers Required

2011-07-14T12:42:00.002+01:00

Thanks for checking out our job posting.

vStream Digital Media are one of the most exciting media companies in Europe, responsible for the Award-winning Aviva 3D Experience, the Thin Lizzy Kinect Installation and with a client list which includes Jameson International, Eircom and Cadbury.

We are currently looking for experienced web developers for contract work.

Experience with Flash, AS3 and PHP is a minimum requirement.

Experience with mobile platforms is desirable but not essential.

If this is an opportunity that interests you and that you think you have the skillset for, please get in touch today!

Please email us at info[at]vstream.ie with your CV/site or for more information.

We look forward to hearing from you.

www.vstream.ie

vStream are hiring - Senior Software Developer & R&D Lead

2011-05-31T11:26:00.001+01:00

Do you have a passion for new technology, hard work, great rewards and the opportunity to create world’s firsts?

vStream is the leader in digital and interactive content creation. vStream is behind the world’s first stereoscopic 3D personalised movie experience (The Aviva Stadium 3D Experience), the first Irish installation of PC based MS Kinect technology (The Phil Lynott Experience) numerous live interactive global streaming events (The Jameson Global Party), Augmented Reality, Mobile and Social Apps and award winning digital marketing campaigns. vStream has been pushing the boundaries of interactive content creation and are looking for experienced new talent to join them in their state of the art facility on Leeson Close in Dublin’s City Centre to deliver world’s fist campaigns to its International blue chip client base.

The job will entail a mix of development and research roles:

Development
Mobile App design and development
Social App design and development
Gestural application development (MS Kinect, Panasonic D-Imager)
Augmented reality application development
Personalised video and game content development
Game development
Web development
R&D
Investigating new technologies
Prototyping innovations
Accessing the technical landscape and reporting on findings to a steering group on a monthly basis

Successful candidates will need:

A proven track record in software development and R&D
Exceptional software architecture skills and knowledge of the software development process
Exceptional Flash Development Experience (AS2 & AS3) and all other web technologies
Experience with AR, QR, Gestural Technologies
Experience working with video online
Excellent written and communication skills
Excellent time management and experience working to tight deadlines
Experience bringing research projects to reality in a commercial environment
A passion for technology, creating world beating work and an acute eye for detail
The ability to work within, and potentially build and lead, a team of developers

Please send CV’s and examples of previous similar work to info@vstream.ie

vStream are hiring a Senior Digital Account Manager

2010-12-03T21:14:00.002Z

vStream are recognized as the one of the most innovative and technically advanced digital agencies in Ireland and are seeking an experienced Digital Account /Project Manager to work with them in their new state of the art facility on Leeson Close. The successful applicant will report to the Technical and Creative Directors of vStream and service the company’s local and international blue chip client base to help grow the business domestically and internationally.

The experienced Digital Account /Project Manager will be responsible for the management of multiple accounts. Their primary concern should be ensuring best practice in day-to-day management, delivery of work to deadlines and gold standard client service. The position is full time, and salary is negotiable.
Key Responsibilities and Tasks

Account Management

Regular senior client contact and relationship building
New business development, pitch preparation and delivery, tendering
Implementation of a strategic approach to a client’s business
Full fiscal control of clients digital projects, including quoting, hours estimations, budget tracking, change management and billing
A good understanding of how the agency functions and the profitability of accounts
Deep technical and creative understanding, including the ability to communicate technical
concepts to clients in an effective manner

Project Management

Management of technical and creative teams (5 – 10 strong), on innovative and high pressure digital projects
Detailed project planning (using MS Project or similar), status reporting, budgeting, change management, delivery analysis and project post mortem
Management of multiple projects, assignment of resources, team building and motivation
Sign off all work leaving the team and retain sole responsibility of quality control
Staff performance review

Personal Skills

Deep understanding of people management, specifically technical and creative staff
Excellent time management, prioritisation and multi-tasking
Excellent presentation skills
100% Service focused
Strategic and implementation skills
Articulate and confident communicator
Strong analytical and problem solving skills
Excellent listener

Minimum Requirements

Marketing Qualification
5+ years agency/client experience on digital marketing campaigns at a senior level
Experience with video production projects, and online video
Deep understanding of digital marketing disciplines and technology
References

Please email CV’s to info@vstream.ie

vStream have moved!

2010-08-31T22:13:00.001+01:00

After three great years in the Digital Hub, vStream have relocated to the swanky envorons of Leeson St, with our new state of the art facility at 37 Leeson Close. We will be inviting all our friends and clients down to check out the new studio soon, so drop us a line if you'd like to pop by.

Our new contact details are

vStream Digital Media
37 Leeson Close,
Dublin 2
Ireland
01 662 2345

The Aviva Stadium 3D Experience, a world first, is now live!

2010-08-13T23:56:00.003+01:00

vStream, a leading digital marketing specialist in Ireland has developed an interactive experience entitled "The Aviva Stadium 3D Experience" which will give sports fans across Ireland unique access to the stadium in a dramatic 3D personalised experience, housed in a travelling simulator.

A world first, vStream has developed software to personalise stereoscopic 3D video, to allow the viewer to experience the build up to an international soccer or rugby match in the first person, with their name and picture being featured throughout the content. .

The story centres around you, the viewer, a relatively unknown academy player, who on the day before a big international match gets a call up to the international team. The story follows your journey over the next 24 hours leading up to the match, culminating with you walking out onto the pitch to a full capacity Aviva stadium.
More about the aviva stadium 3d experience here

Online Video Advertising to Grow by 78%

2010-06-25T17:44:00.001+01:00

Good news for our clients (courtesy of AdWorld)!

Video advertising is set to become the fastest growing online advertising formats according to the digital sales agency Ad2One Group Ireland and is likely to show a 78% growth by 2012.

One of the largest international third party sales agencies in the world Ad2One Group Ireland says that TV advertising will suffer as more companies are invest in online video ads as an alternative advertising medium. Online video advertising, it says, will drive greater traffic and marketers can expect a trade-off for the continued high CPM costs of video ad placements.

New Jameson and Roma campaigns launched

2009-11-15T10:43:00.002Z

vStream are proud to announce the launch of the following campaigns:

Roma Recipes

Learn to cook Italian food online with celebrity chef Catherine Fulvio, presenter of RTE's 'Catherine's Italian Kitchen'.

vStream developed a digital strategy for Roma, part of the Shamrock Foods Group, to capitalise on their sposorship of the RTE TV show by creating an online destination with value added content to convert their offline audience into an engaged online audience, with weekly video cooking tutorials released to coincide with each show. A competition to win an all expenses paid trip to and Italian cookery school helped encourge signups to the Roma email database.

Check out Roma Recipes here

Jameson Mix It Up

Jameson are promoting their delicious whiskey as a mixed drink, and asked vStream to develop a full service online campaign to promote trial and consideration, and drive traffic to the Mix It Up tasting events taking place in Dublin throughout the year. Our strategy incorporated the use of video, gaming and mobile content, with an innovative invitation mechanism to get people trying Jameson with Coke, 7up and Ginger Ale.

Check out the Jameson Mix It Up site here

Multipe Award Nominations for vStream

2009-11-15T09:54:00.003Z

The team at vStream are delighted to announce the following award nominations:

2009 Golden Spider Awards:

Coors Light Viral - Best use of Film, Digital Animation or Motion Graphic
Digital Marketing School - Best Education, Research & Training Website
Digital Marketing School - Best Digital Media Website

Independent Digital Grand Prix

Coors Light Viral - Best Online Campaign - public vote

Wish us luck!

Andrew Jenkinson delivering online video course with IIA - 24th Nov

2009-11-15T09:49:00.002Z

vStream founder and Technical Director Andrew Jenkinson is presenting a half day workshop with the Irish Internet Association on the 24th Nov.

"Increase Revenues and Reach with Online Video"

Event Date : 24 Nov 2009

Time : 9.30am - 1pm

Location : Rainsford Room, Digital Exchange, Crane Street, Dublin 8

Normal price per person : €195.00

Member price per person : €145.00

IIA members should log into the site to avail of the member price.

Proceed to booking form here

This half day course looks at how you can create a community, increase brand awareness, click-through & response rates by using video and ultimately reach more customers.

This half day course is delivered by vStream Digital Media.

We look at where it is appropriate to use video and the impact it can have, how seeded and viral video can be used to best effect and we’ll illustrate this through case studies. We’ll discuss the channels on which to distribute video for maximum impact, results and returns and, finally, we’ll examine what’s in store for video use and quality as broadband speeds improve.

10% Discount

Groups of 3 or more benefit from a 10% discount applied automatically when booking online.

Course Outline

This course will be broken up into the following categories:

The benefits of online video:
Real world examples of the benefits of online video for branding, direct response and viral campaigns. A look at the technology advances and milestones.

How to create video content, and when each format is relevant:
In-house vs. professional vs. user-generated content

An online video project, step by step:
For many people, creating video content will be a new endeavour, or their experience will lie in the traditional media. We will outline the steps involved in a typical online video project, things to watch out for along the way, and tips on how to brief production companies to make sure you get what you want out of your project

How to make friends and influence people:
Why asking a digital agency for a seeded video is better than asking for a viral, the nature and forms of viral content referencing comedy, creativity and falsehood. Case studies including 'Will It Blend' and 'The Cadbury's Gorilla' and the most recent 'viral' successes

Branding vs. ROI:
Using short-from video content to build an online community and maximise brand impact, integrating short-from video into display to increase click-through and ROI. Case studies to include Unilever and Enjoy England, video as a communications tool - higher information retention - Case study: The Referendum Commission

Casting Out and Reeling In:
An examination of the different platforms including YouTube, Joost, video in widgets, WebTV and mobile, looking at how the combination of platforms allows you to attract people to your channel and leverage each individual as a distributor, Maximising your assets - from still photography and VO to the digitisation and archiving of old video content - case study bbc.co.uk, VSEO - Defining Google Universal and Yahoo! Glue and how to maximise your assets for searchability (combining platforms)

The future of online video:
The use of voice recognition in future VSEO, compression and future video quality as a ratio to broadband speeds and roll-out in Ireland, Europe and the US. Mobile video and clickable video.

Takeaway:
An online video strategy for your company - A proven strategy to help tie everything that has been learned in the course together for a brand, which will enable them to start benefitting from online video. Case study - www.digitalmarketingschool.com

Trainer

Your trainer is Andrew Jenkinson from vStream Digital Media.

Venue

The course is held in the Rainsford Room in the Digital Exchange, Crane Street, Dublin 8. Click here for a map and directions.

vStream launch digital campaign for the Referendum Commission

2009-09-28T14:51:00.002+01:00

For the second year running, vStream have been appointed by DMA and Murray consultants as digital partners in the Referendum Commissions informational campaign for The Lisbon Treaty. Check out The Lisbon Treaty Website for unbiased information and videos on The Lisbon Treaty.

Niall O'Driscoll delivering Online Video Course with MII

2009-09-22T12:08:00.002+01:00

vStream founder and Creative Director Niall O'Driscoll is presenting a half day workshop with the Marketing Institute.

Date: Tuesday 22nd September 2009

Venue: The Marketing Institute South County Business Park, Leopardstown, Dublin 18

Delegate Fee: 250.00 - Members, 300.00 - Non Members.

Contact: Ailish Hollingsworth ailish@mii.ie

This Workshop is designed to show the international best of breed in online video communications, and clearly demonstrates how online video can be used to benefit brands across the full spectrum of campaign goals, from branding, direct response, email acquisition, customer retention and corporate communications space (with eMarketer predicating 9 out of 10 internet users consuming online video by 2012). Ireland is yet to fully grasp the potential of online video, and The Marketing Institute of Ireland are delighted to offer you the opportunity to participate in this exciting Workshop.

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE:

9am - 10am Online Video Platforms
This module will look at the many different platforms on which video can reside and the different attributes, functions and culture that surround them. The module will look in detail at Video Networks, WebTV, Widgets, and Mobile.

10am - 11am Online Video Formats
This module will examine the many different formats that video content can be presented in. This is distinct from the platform on which the video resides, but rather looks at the structure of the video asset itself, how the nature of the structure affects how the video is consumed and therefore how it is used within a digital marketing strategy. The module will look at formats including short form versus long form content, informational versus entertainment content, video websites, video blogging, pre, post and interstitial in-video ads, webisodes, non-linear video, clickable video, video and multi video display ads.

11am - 12pm Online Video Content
This module will look at the ‘nature’ of online video content, the differentiators between it and TV content and the different forms that engage different audiences. In particular the content will be examined in terms of tiers 1 to 3 (professionally produced to user generated content), interactivity, virability and subscription. The module will also look at the culture around these different types of format and how to approach creating certain content-types to effectively gain traction with a certain market or demographic.

12pm – 1pm Strategies Using Online Content
This final module will explore how platform, format and content should be leveraged to form the driver within an integrated campaign strategy. Changes in how brands are perceived in the online space, metrics and online behaviour will be examined within the context of conversational marketing, online ‘democracy’ and the prosumer.

http://www.mii.ie/o/

vStream and Chemistry Launch Coors Viral Campain

2009-08-01T00:10:00.006+01:00

We worked with our new friends in Chemistry (the only Irish agency to win a Gold Lion at Cannes) on this summer viral video campaign for Coors Light, which invited you to hypnotise your friends to buy you pint. The campaign was promoted with a suite of rich media banners, and a bespoke facebook application, which recieved an unprecedented response.

Try it on yourself here

Check out the Facebook application

vStream launch Digital Marketing School

2009-07-20T11:54:00.001+01:00

Digital Marketing School is a free online video resource for anyone who has an interest in the world of digital marketing, from a beginners level, right up to seasoned professionals.

We aim to help people with some of the basics, put some meaning behind the buzzwords, and give a broad understanding to newcomers of what is possible in the world of digital marketing

We’ll also be looking at more advanced areas, new evolutions in technology, and where the digital marketing industry is going in the coming years.

Each month, we’ll also have a guest speaker from the industry, discussing a digital marketing campaign that really captured their imagination.

There are loads of ways to subscribe, so click on one of the links to receive updates as each new show arrives.

You can also follow us on twitter and join our facebook group. And remember, we want to hear from you with your feedback and suggestions.

Andrew Jenkinson to speak at Search Marketing World 2009

2009-03-23T13:55:00.002Z

vStream co-founder and Technical Director Andrew Jenkinson has been confirmed as a speaker in the upcoming Search Marketing World conference on April 1st.

Now in its third year, Search Marketing World 2009 Conference and Expo brings together hundreds of marketers and experts in the world of Search. Delegates at Search Marketing World 2009, the only major Search Marketing Conference and Expo in Ireland, will enjoy an opportunity to choose from 18 up to the minute sessions, exhibitors, walk in clinics and the best industry networking opportunity in Dublin!

Andrew will be speaking on Search 3.0: Video, Local and Blended Results.

Play our Valentines game and win dinner for two!

2009-02-10T17:49:00.002Z

To celebrate our award nominations in Friday's Digital Media Awards (Best Digital Agency and Best Newcomer with International Potential), vStream have created a game for all you lovers out there! And that’s not all…

You can win a romantic meal for two in Shanahan’s restaurant.

To enter just play the game and enter your details at the end!

www.vstream.ie/valentine09

More award nominations for vStream!

2009-01-16T09:26:00.002Z

Following November's win at the IIA Net Visionary awards, and Decembers shortlisting in 2 categories in the Golden Spider Awards, vStream are proud to announce more industry recognition in the 2009 Digital Media Awards.

We have been shortlisted in the following categories:

Best Digital Advertising/Marketing Agency
Best Newcomer with International Potential

We're extremely proud of the shortlistings, especially considering the caliber of entrants to the awards every year, and look forward to another night out in a tux!

Ads on YouTube have higher impact than on TV

2008-12-18T14:05:00.001Z

YouTube users are 1.5 times more attentive and engaged in advertising than TV viewers, according to research conducted in partnership with General Motors Europe, Motorola, media agency MindShare and the Online Testing Exchange (OTX)The research used eye tracking and biometric data to reveal the brand impact of advertising on YouTube.

It found recall and attribution for an ad viewed was up to 14% higher than watching the same ad on TV. Viewing a silent ad on YouTube in addition to a normal TV ad also improved ad recall and attribution.

Ads on YouTube can impact the perceptions of elusive audiences like young men and infrequent TV viewers. They also have a halo effect and increase brand perceptions such as innovative, cool, dynamic and unconventional.

Motorola’s YouTube ad impressions increased its brand metrics up to four times higher than TV alone, and GM Europe’s metrics for its Opel/Vauxhall Corsa brand increased three times.

Martin Sir, manager of European media strategies for General Motors Europe, said, "Immersive experiences like YouTube have changed and will further change the way entertainment and branded content is consumed and used.

“For GM Europe, distributing video content over the internet is far from novel but doing so in a way that’s always relevant for and engaging to our consumers remains challenging. This research supports us in our pursuit to further embrace these emerging advertising opportunities," he added.

vStream launch Interactive eCard for the National Concert Hall

2008-12-03T17:59:00.002Z

We are delighted to launch an interactive drag and drop eCard for our friends in the National Concert Hall.

We wanted to do something different and innovative for this lovely brand, and we're really happy with how it turned out. You can customise the card with a number of different songs, drag and drop different animations onto different scenes, and create a custom message for up to 5 of your friends. Try it for yourself

I attended an event in the NCH recently, and I really hope this, and some of the innovative marketing they're planning for 2009 will encourage people to sign up and visit this great venue more often. A true diamond in Dublin's heritage.

98% of marketers believe online is crucial to mix

2008-11-26T13:45:00.000Z

Some 98% of marketers say online marketing is crucial to business success through the economic downturn, according to research by Efficient Frontier.

The survey of over 300 UK, French and German marketers found 73% expect to see the headcount of digital marketing teams increase through 2009, and 87% of those surveyed predict digital marketing will grow at the same rate in 2009 as it did in 2008.

Google launches video ad auction model on YouTube

2008-11-13T17:46:00.000Z

Google is launching Sponsored Videos, a video ad auction model on YouTube aiming to replicate the success of AdWords on the video-sharing site.

Advertisers can now enter video ads and commercials into an auction model the serves them against specified keywords and phrases when YouTube users search the site.

More here...

Credit crunch fuels online marketing growth

2008-10-24T10:46:00.001+01:00

A recent survey undertaken by Marketing Week and YouGov asked UK marketers how the credit crunch would affect their future advertising budgets. 64% percent of the people surveyed anticipated that their Online advertising spend would increase in light of the credit crunch.

vStream nominated for two IIA awards

2008-10-22T19:21:00.001+01:00

vStream, the online video and online marketing experts, have been shortlisted for 2 awards in this year's IIA Net Visionary Award, and we'd really appreciate your vote! The categories are Best Internet Marketer, and Best Online use of Irish. The closing date is tomorrow, so we'd really appreciate your vote today! Click here to cast your vote: http://www.iia.ie/net-visionary/vote/

So far this year vStream have completed highly successful digital marketing campaigns for clients such as Irish Life, Hibernian and the award nominated www.lisbontreaty2008.ie, along with international campaigns for Jameson (www.jameson360.com) and a worlds first in interactive HD Video websites for Kopparberg Cider (www.kopparbergUK.com).

Facebook application ad targeting launched in the UK

2008-08-13T11:16:00.003+01:00

The first ad network letting brands run campaigns across Facebook’s 33,000 applications has been launched in the UK.

While there are no available dates to when this may be available in Ireland, this clearly opens up a new dimension of targeting to poorly performing social network ad platforms. Brands can also skin or sponsor applications for a period of time. With the vast wealth of very popular SN apps out there today (including apps in Bebo and MySpace) it will be interesting to watch how advertisers use this opportunity to connect with their audience.

More here...

Club Orange get viral!

2008-07-01T17:15:00.002+01:00

Check out this new viral from Club Orange. Some bits are crucial!

Adobe make Flash SEO friendly

2008-07-01T17:06:00.002+01:00

Of great interest to all internet marketers out there is the recent announcement from Adobe that it has provided technology to major search engines Google and Yahoo which allows indexing of Flash (.swf) files.

For providers of SEO solutions, this announcement coupled with the advent of Google Universal means that the Search landscape is soon to change forever. While this is a very welcome development, some commentators see it as a pure PR stunt from Adobe.

I guess it will become very clear soon...

European online advertising sees 40 per cent growth

2008-06-03T14:29:00.002+01:00

The online advertising industry in Europe experienced an average growth rate of 40 per cent last year, according to a new study.

Research carried out by the Interactive Advertising Bureau Europe (IAB Europe) indicates that the European online advertising market was worth €11.2 billion (£8.9 billion) in 2007, up from €7.2 billion in 2006.

Good news indeed! Read more here, here and here.

Google introduces video ads

2008-03-31T13:01:00.002+01:00

This weeks sees the first video ads introduced by Google in their search results.

What’s the motive for the change? As you might recall, last month a report came out showing that the amount of clicks on Google’s text ads was no longer increasing, in turn leading many analysts to project that the company’s earnings would stop growing as fast as they have been historically. Google’s high-flying stock is still around $300 lower than its all-time high reached in November.

More here...

YouTube offers insight into the performance of your video...

2008-03-31T11:38:00.001+01:00

In an effort to make itself of more value to advertisers and profit-driven groups, YouTube has rolled out YouTube Insight, "a free tool that enables anyone with a YouTube account to view detailed statistics about the videos that they upload to the site."

It enables video uploaders the ability to track the performance of their uploads and to put performance in context with detailed data, such as "how long it takes a video to achieve popularity and how a video behaves after popularity peaks."

Traditional agencies face into a digital future

2008-03-10T15:44:00.003Z

This weeks Sunday Business Post had this to say about the Irish Advertising Industry...

"Ten years after the start of the digital advertising industry in Ireland, traditional agencies are beginning to admit that the future for advertising is digital and that they have left it quite late in the day to prepare themselves."

For an agency like ourselves, this is validation of what we have seen in the market to date, so it will be interesting to see how the big players react to the changing landscape.

Read the full article here...

vStream on the TV!

2008-02-14T12:01:00.003Z

Our mothers are so proud.

vStream are featured on this months Media Show. Presented by Alex Gibson, the media show takes a monthly look at the Irish media and marketing landscape. This special digital edition features a showcase of vStream's work, coupled with an interview with Technical Director Andrew Jenkinson and Creative director Niall O'Driscoll.

Watch it online here...

Below the line marketing in an above the line space

2008-02-08T13:26:00.000Z

Behavioural targeting delivers 600% uplift

Are broad demographics really relevant in the online world? Is customer behaviour far more insightful to delivering your marketing message?

Behavioural information allows you to develop a toolbox of techniques to improve the relevance of your online marketing, delivering for one client a 600% uplift.

This article shows how Matthew Finch broke down the user journey into various steps allowing us to target the customer with the most appropriate message at the most appropriate time.

It’s like delivering a personalised TV advert, with an exclusive offer, to an individual customer at exactly the right time.

Social Networks in 'Not the future' shocker!

2008-02-06T08:44:00.000Z

This article is one of an increasing number i've seen of late that poses the question - Are social networks all hype and no future? Interestingly, figures for engagement metrics (how long users stay on the site) have been dropping on the big networks (Facebook, MSN, Bebo) over the last year. There is an inevitable wearing off of novelty implicit in these findings, but what if the trend continues? If these networks taper off in their appeal they will become far less appealing as an advertising platform, but what will replace them?

Some commentators feel that for a social network to really appeal, it must be so feature rich that people will pay a subscription for it, thus negating the need to monetise with ad dollars. Others feel that closed social networks are the future. Whatever the end result, it's an area to watch closely over the next year...

Ireland has the fastest growing Broadband market in the EU

2008-01-31T18:56:00.001Z

From our friends in SalesOnline:

According to an OECD report for 2006 to 2007, Ireland had the biggest increase in broadband penetration among 30 OECD countries. This is a very encouraging trend but we are only finally catching up and broadband penetration is still quite low at around 16.35% of the total Irish population.

EyeWonder's SocialWonder - Handing control over to the consumer?

2008-01-30T17:45:00.001Z

This is not exactly a new development (as in not in our industry as it's 2 months old!), but I felt the need to highlight a new development from EyeWonder, which adds the ability to quickly post content from a banner ad to your blog/social network page.

This technology, should it take off (and there has been considerable interest in the US already) really empowers the consumer to welcome the brand into their digital lives, and it's opt-in approach will find much favour in online communities, who balked at the introduction of Beacon on Facebook

Read more about Social Wonder here...

Strategies for Making Video Ads Go Viral

2008-01-28T14:17:00.000Z

A very interesting article by Christine Beardsell of The ClickZ Network identifies a number of ways that video ads can become truly viral. As with everything, there's a hard way (organic) and an easier way (paid for), but both have their pro's and con's.

Worth a read here...

Consumers Shout 'I Want My Online Video'

2008-01-24T16:40:00.001Z

Burst Media recently conducted a survey of 2,600 online respondents to get a better idea of how they consume online video, and their perception of advertising placements within it.

Their conclusion: Online video content is in high demand – particularly for staying informed and being entertained.

Men 18-34 years are the heaviest viewers of online video content.
Caution to advertisers: Consumers are leery of in-stream advertising in video content –many abandon ad-fronted videos altogether.

This poses the question that we at vStream are constantly asking ourselves and our clients - How can we make the ad content less intrusive and therefore more effective. Luckily, we have the answer. Of course, you'll have to come work with us to find out!

Read the full report here...

TV Watchers More Engaged If Viewing Online

2008-01-23T08:54:00.000Z

This is some information that all you advertisers should be interested in. Essentially, consumers that watch TV online are more engaged than those that watch programs on TV sets, according to a cross-media study by Simmons of Experian Research Services, reports MediaPost (via MarketingCharts).

Moreover, there's a high correlation between media engagement and ad receptivity.

Viewers are 47 percent more engaged in ads that air during online programs versus those shown on a TV set, the Multi-Media Engagement study found. They are also 25 percent more engaged in the content of shows watched online than on a set.

Read more of this report here

Online ads to overtake TV ads by 2010

2008-01-23T08:52:00.000Z

The Internet Advertising Bureau predicts that Internet advertising could surpass television marketing as early as next year.
by Helen Leggatt

Online ad networks have gone some way towards dealing with the “fragmented” nature of the Internet drawing more and more advertisers to the medium. "With the latest technology it is possible to amalgamate thousands of websites and segment their content into broad and narrow categories," said Jack Wallington, IAB programs manager. A rising Internet audience, coupled with the technology and networks that allow targeting of specific customers, such as DoubleClick, could see Internet advertising overtake television marketing very soon. If not 2009, then certainly 2010, said the IAB. In fact, online advertising in Sweden already surpasses television advertising spend and GroupM’s recent research found that this could well happen in the U.K by the end of this year.

Banner ads build subliminal familiarity

2008-01-18T12:07:00.000Z

An academic study in to the psychology of online advertising has found new evidence that internet banner ads work exceedingly well.

The paper produced jointly by several US universities, found that, although many web users do not necessarily click or focus on a banner advert, many subconsciously register the product advertised - and make positive conclusions.

Researchers asked test subjects to read an online essay under the assumption they would be quizzed on its content - in fact, they would be asked their feelings on a product advertised in a banner ad on the essay, with different groups of test subjects exposed to the ad zero, five or 20 times.

The research team found those people with negative impressions of the brand were unaffected by the number of exposures to the banner. But the positive connotation taken away from the ad went up and up in concert with further ad displays.

Banner ads have gradually been falling out of favour as more advertisers opt for keyword-based search marketing and other tactics. Despite this trend, the test results suggest that repeated exposure to banner ads yields positive results, with consumers taking away brand familiarity even if they don't click through.

Ten digital trends to watch out for in 2008

2008-01-18T10:33:00.000Z

A new year wouldn’t be a new year without a vast number of websites making predictions about the future of the web, and 2008 proves to be no different. From a number of different sources, e-consultancy.com have rounded up 10 key trends that they think are the ones to watch out for in 2008.

It makes great reading, and a very positive outlook for vStream and our clients in 2008. The list reads as follows:

1. Social networks advertising becomes scalable

2. Privacy will continue to be a sensitive issue

3. Internet advertising will overtake radio advertising in the US

4. Open Source will continue to dominate

5. The rise of the semantic web

6. Mobile web expected to explode in 2008

7. Video gains ground as a popular advertising medium

8. Local search marketing and advertising platforms can expect growth

9. Behavioural targeting will become more widespread - and something which is expected

10. Fear of recession will shift advertising budgets to online media

Read the full story here...

TV more engaging online - study

2008-01-18T10:29:00.001Z

TV viewers are apparently much more ‘engaged’ when they watch content online, rather than on their TV sets, according to a study.

Researchers at Simmons found that respondents were 25% more involved in programmes they viewed on the web, rather than in the conventional way.

There was also good news for advertisers – viewers were reportedly 47% more engaged in ads shown during online TV shows.

The study, via MarketingVox, measured engagement by looking at different ways respondents’ viewed content – whether they found it ‘inspirational’, ‘trustworthy’ or ‘life-enhancing’, for example.

It found women and younger consumers had slightly higher levels of engagement online than average.

New Services Help Bloggers Bring in Ad Revenue

2008-01-18T10:07:00.000Z

If you're not making money off your blog, 2008 might be the year.

As more people see potential in earning money off the Internet, there is a quickly expanding array of advertising services and tools for bloggers that go well beyond the standard pay-per-click text ads or display ads.

See what's available to make some money from your musings here...

AD REVENUES FROM STREAMING MEDIA RISE 38%

2008-01-18T09:46:00.001Z

SALINAS, California: A new report from AccuStream iMedia Research shows ad revenues from streaming video and audio totalled around $1.37 billion (€935; £697m) last year, up 38% on 2006.

The firm estimates that during 2007 there were between 2.1bn to 2.7bn views of streaming or progressive-download content each month, via ad-supported or free content areas on the web. The figures exclude user-generated videos.

The report also revealed that pre-roll ads generated around $420 million.

Data sourced from Wall Street Journal Online; additional content by WARC staff, 18 January 2008

Internet to outperform broader market in 2008

2008-01-08T12:36:00.000Z

NEW YORK, Jan. 7, 2008 (Thomson Financial delivered by Newstex) -- Two Wall Street firms issued bullish outlooks for Internet companies in 2008, with Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) and China's key players among top picks expected to show continued strength. The key trends predicted to drive growth in the sector are improved content, such as social networking sites, growth in Web access internationally, and improvements in search and navigation technologies.