Rethinking Online Video

As content creators and marketers, Magnet Media is always looking to serve our audience better. We were one of the first few companies to create serial online video and we’ll be doing it again this year — bigger and better.

Last week, I was invited to the Digital Content NewFront Event, hosted by Digitas’ The Third Act. As one of the leading agencies, Digitas is a

“Member of the Paris-based Publicis Groupe S.A., the world’s fourth largest communications group, second largest media counsel and buying group, and a global leader in digital and healthcare communications.”

While that is certainly an impressive tag line, its event was no less spectacular. The NewFront event featured panels and content pitches that all revolved around online video. Now in its third year, it has grown larger along with the online media community. Just 2 years ago, online video was considered “new media.” Today, online video is mainstream. 2 years ago, Hulu didn’t have a large presence and the iPad wasn’t even available. All those factors have changed today. The possibilities to consume online video on multiple platforms is a growing reality.

While television and films have their own place, and a very good one, online media allows for interaction in a way that hasn’t been possible. When content is created for an online portal and distributed through dozens of platforms, including television, audience interaction increases as does value to the sponsor.

And, that was the premise of the NewFront event — providing better entertainment to a dedicated audience and more value for an advertiser. When celebrities you’ve watched for a good portion of the past decade take the stage and openly embrace digital media, you know that we’re on the verge of an online media revolution.

Today, it might be small. Tomorrow, we’ll make it big.