Funny ads get shared on the Internet only if they're flat out hilarious. Since everybody's aiming at that and few succeed, funny ads have big downsides. So says a new study from Unruly Media, which has made it its business to track, analyze video-sharing. Here's another thing: Launch your would-be viral ads on Wednesdays.

VideoElephant.com is a new Website that acts as a broker for video clips, the way a stock photo agency helps connect users to creators. But here, the sources include the National Geographic and AFP, among many, And once a Website buy a clip, it's theirs for good.

IAC-owned College Humor produced a comedy film, 'Coffee Town' marketed online and available from digital sources only. That cost about $2 million. About $375 million later, that business model must look pretty smart to the Disney Co.,stuck with mega-bomb "The Lone Ranger."

Samsung has acquired Boxee whose video set-top box also has apps for phones. Samsung, along with its phones, is also the world's largest TV manufacturer.

Following Tremor Video's debut last week, YuMe now says it will go public, filing a $65 million initial public offering.

PwC says mobile ad revenues in North America will grow at a compounded rate of 32.2% between now and 2017. Online video advertising ad revenues otherwise will grow by nearly 22%.

New FTC rules intended to protect the online privacy of children under 13 went into effect today, but apparently with some confusion, and not much publicity.

The chief marketing officer for Brightcove makes an impassioned plea for media and marketing companies to embrace the S-word: Strategy. A lot of media and marketing firms don't have a plan for online video ad campaigns, especially on social media.

Based on the programs they'll debut this fall, you don't get the idea network TV really feels the hot breath of competition from upstart online providers.

It's not just for current kids that Netflix and other online content providers are acquiring all that children's programming. They see future generations who don't reflexively go to TV for programming at all.