Broadband Content Bits: YouTube Goes Classical; 5Min's Video Ad Net; Coldplay On Yahoo
This story was written by Tameka Kee.
YouTube gets classical : When you think of YouTube, you may not think of classical music, but Google (NSDQ: GOOG) and a number of international orchestras are trying to change that with the YouTube Symphony Orchestra project. In the two-part project, amateur musicians from around the world can compete for a chance to play at Carnegie Hall, or be featured as part of a collaborative online performance. Entrants will be judged by both professional musicians from orchestras like the London Symphony, as well as the YouTube community.
It's a novel idea, but it doesn't come cheap. The NYT says the cost of the live concert alone will be well into the six figures, not to mention the fact that Google will be covering the costs of flying the winners to NY (and their hotel rooms), as well as paying the two star conductors, Tan Dun and Michael Tilson Thomas. Guess it's one of those "you have to spend money to make money" deals, as the initiative will definitely add more high-quality, advertiser-friendly content to the video site, something it has been sorely lacking.
5Min's video ad network : Instructional video site 5Min is scaling out into a video ad network. The company had already been using its VideoSeed platform to pair video clips with text and articles from various sites, but it has been steadily brokering content syndication deals and says its network now reaches more than 110 million unique users. Advertisers can buy pre- and post-roll video, sponsorships and special placements on a site or subject basis. An automotive buy, for example, could include ads running against Answers.com (NSDQ: ANSW) car questions, or professional clips from Car & Driver. Release.
Yahoo's Coldplay experience : Yahoo (NSDQ: YHOO) gave Coldplay fans a big treat yesterday, as it broadcast an exclusive concert and Q&A session with the band as part of its ongoing "Nissan Live Sets on Yahoo! Music" series. It was the first time that Yahoo Music premiered an online concert for users in 11 countries at the same time. Release.
By Tameka Kee