Commentary

Streaming Video in Email Now Up and Running

Goodmail Systems CEO Peter Horan is providing an update on the company's recently-launched CertfiedVideo platform, which allows marketers to insert video directly into promotional emails. Instead of quickly driving a consumer to another page when they click on a link, the video is ready-to-watch and housed within the message. Opening an email with a video can break through the clutter where email includes e-newsletters and messages about sales, Horan says.

The system, Horan says, has particular value to media companies, with Turner (for NBA TV) and Fox Digital with its BeliefNet site among those using it. Coming next is a campaign for an unnamed afternoon talk show where the video will offer some "behind the scenes" footage and footage of questions from on-set guests not seen in the show.

In another category, Horan says, retailers can use the system to “leverage content and advertising created for other media." Target has run two campaigns with video embedded in its marketing emails, including one for Earth Day promoting its green products.

With streaming video exploding online, Horan says CertfiedVideo looks to give marketers that option in email. "The best of the Web never seems to get into email," he says.

When an email is opened, the video's sound is off and doesnâ't start until a consumer opts to view it.

Five-year-old Goodmail, which specializes in email security, is based in Silicon Valley.

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1 comment about "Streaming Video in Email Now Up and Running".
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  1. Eric Guerin from Adelie Studios, May 5, 2009 at 7:24 p.m.

    The Goodmail Systems CertfiedVideo platform is a little misleading in that it doesn't open in Outlook or several other desktop email programs I tested but instead embeds a JPEG image which you click to view the video in a browser. It did however open in directly in the email when I tested it on AOL. While something like this has value in a B2C marketing campaign where more customers are using web browsers to check their email, it doesn't work any differently to someone who is currently embedding a JPEG link in their email marketing or is marketing to more of a B2B audience most of which operate almost solely on desktop email programs.

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