The use of shoppable videos, the technology that allows viewers to engage directly with contextually relevant product info during video play, is now rapidly expanding, with brands like Target, Roots, Ralph Lauren, EBags and many others rolling out campaigns using the innovative shopping tool.

Advances in online video technology are clearly the primary driver behind the recent shoppable video growth spurt, but another encouraging factor is the growing recognition among marketers that a compelling story—the pulsing heartbeat of a company—is a required element of brand presentation today.

It used to be that brand-oriented video campaigns on television or online were …

Most businesses wouldn’t argue with the statement that video helps drive consumer engagement. It’s what the video content should consist of that usually sparks the debates. Just what exactly are consumers supposed to be engaging with in these videos? Well, to get right down to the ROI, we must first ask what it is that the business is selling… Products or services?

Historically, product videos have dominated the video commerce frontier. Not surprisingly, they are relatively easy to produce and have a clear cut purpose. Utilizing sight, sound and motion to virtually deliver the product experience, these videos are designed …

Part two of two-part series on transmedia and the changing landscape of media, including the evolving role of online video. You can read part one here.

In my previous post, Are You Ready for the Transmedia Revolution?, we looked at the foundational elements of transmedia, a communication strategy that is quickly becoming the standard for storytellers of every kind.

As we discussed, with transmedia’s multi-platform outreach approach, people can engage with your story on a deeper level than any single platform allows, opening the door to a more immersive, collaborative experience. That’s because transmedia takes advantage of the …

I believe that web video is going to play a key role in the future of commerce.  If you’re reading this, you probably do, too.

Like many believers in the power of video to sell, I pay close attention to video’s ability to enhance marketing & merch efforts, whether they be SEO, conversion, mobile, or social.  These areas are critical for any video commerce program given the constraints of today’s e-commerce industry.

The problem for retail executives – and the video commerce industry as a whole – is that focusing on the areas where video increments performance of existing channels …

There’s an ongoing discussion in the publishing business about the value of book trailers; the short, promotional videos often produced as part of the marketing campaign to support a book’s big release.

Even if you’re a big reader, it’s possible that you’ve never seen a book trailer before. Unlike their better-known cousins from Hollywood, there are no established forums or venues dedicated to the viewing and discussion of book trailers. No packed movie houses, no IMDB, Rotten Tomatoes or Apple trailer sites for books, no DVD releases to target a receptive viewing audience. Not in the book biz—at least not …

So much has changed in the 2 1/2 years since we kicked off the VCC blog.  Now, it’s our turn.  Based on the overwhelming feedback of our readers, we have updated the design and functionality of the blog to better serve our audience.  We hope you enjoy it.
Read on to learn more about the new and enhanced features!…

Recently Facebook announced that their Facebook Credits virtual currency will be mandatory for buying virtual goods in many games and apps on the Facebook platform. Some marketers are predicting the next major step for Facebook will go beyond simple, social interactions to true social commerce – buying real products and services using Facebook Credits. In this article, we will explore live examples of using Facebook Credits with interactive product video.  We will also explore how real Facebook video shopping examples could be further enhanced by having virtual currency available to purchase their own products.…

“We consider Borders to be in the very elite group of high-quality retailers,” said Linda Farquhar, a securities analyst for Alex Brown in New York.

That was in 1998.

Thirteen years later, having filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy late last month, Borders now finds itself teetering on the edge of extinction. Once a proud and vital brand, the company has become a cautionary tale, a reminder of the perils of stagnancy and business as usual.

It’s a harsh reality. No company wants the cautionary tale label, but in an entrepreneurial era of high-velocity media and marketing innovation, the sluggish company that …