Have you heard branded video is the next big thing? Well, it is, and that's why we're seeing a new wave of offerings from online video technology providers as they fine-tune their products in this area.

One of the newest business case uses of video is for recruiting and job interviewing. With tech startups like Ovia and enRecruit offering technological platforms for companies to implement video pre-screening of applicants, on-camera skills are going to be even more vital for -- well -- anyone. And not being good on camera won't cut it as an excuse. You don't need to be model gorgeous or talk like a news anchor, but there are a few things anyone can do better on video to improve the quality. Here they are.

Here's how you make a good branded video: find a dog theme. Or cats, because cats and dogs are cool. But dogs in sunglasses are particularly cool. Dogs wearing sunglasses while shot in slo-mo are the coolest. Look, it's not rocket science. People just like pets. So rather than put its models in shades, Diesel placed its eyewear on pooches in its newest campaign.

Internet video will play a major role in the quadrupling of the Internet over the next four years. That traffic growth from 2011 to 2016, according to Cisco's latest report, will be driven by a proliferation in devices. Cisco projects that by 2016 the number of network connections will reach nearly 19 billion -- up from 10 billion last year, due to the growth in tablets, mobile phones and other smart devices.

Sure, video viewers are watching more TV shows, movies and other long-form content via broadband video -- but which devices are getting the most action? The answer: gaming consoles and connected TVs, said Ooyala in its recently released report on first-quarter viewing habits. That includes over-the-top devices like Boxee, Roku and Google TV.

While the total audience for online video has remained steady over the last year, engagement in online video has grown significantly in that time. However, the number of ads relative to the amount of content being viewed still lags. Those are the findings of a new comScore white paper that analyzes the cross-media impact of the TV upfronts.

Southern Comfort has never been a brand to shy away from online video. It has been a regular sponsor of original video programming from Web pioneers like MyDamnChannel for several years. Now, the spirits maker is generating some attention for its latest campaign "Lingo Cops" that has been written up in 'The New York Times' and that I first learned about via ReelSEO.

While the bulk of TV audiences are still reached via TV only, the online scope of TV networks is growing, according to a just-released comScore study. About 26% of audiences are reached with content online, and 12% specifically with online video, comScore said in analyzing the results of a study of 10 TV networks and media brands conducted for The Coalition for Innovative Media Measurement, a group comprised of TV networks, media agencies and major consumer brands.

The decision by the broadcast networks to include content ratings -- TV-PG, TV-14 TV-MA and the like -- on their Web site streaming of shows will have virtually no impact on who watches the shows. The only thing that matters about the move Monday by ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, TeleFutura, Telemundo and Univision to include content ratings in online streams starting Dec. 1 is its symbolism.

TV Everywhere has not entirely taken off as planned. Sure, there are a few cable operator trials and a handful of programmer-led efforts such as HBO Go, which just added the Kindle Fire to its roster of TV Everywhere devices last week. These efforts, although valiant, have not led to widespread TV Everywhere adoption.