• December 28, 2004

Consumer advice portal About.com recently launched video content through its "ChannelGuides Initiative." Within its 23 unique guides, About.com will now feature expert commentary on specific content in video format. As part of the initiative, marketers will be able to have ads originally designed for TV run with the streaming video.

For the initiative, Kim Johnson Gross, author of the Chic Simple book series, will serve as the Style Channel Guide. In addition, the home and garden channel will also feature video content with interior designer Anne-Marie Barton offering advice on home decorating. Honda and Black & Decker will be the first charter advertisers for the style and home and garden channels, respectively. In 2005, About.com plans to launch additional ChannelGuides on food and drink, travel, and parenting.

-- Michael Shields