Saturday, May 3, 2008

Metrics provide measurement of effectiveness of YouTube videos

YouTube is providing a free metrics program for marketers that place ads on the site. Metrics are the tools used to measure the exposure of media to the public.

YouTube Insight's initial metrics provide details on how often videos are viewed, where in the world they achieve the greatest popularity and how they compare to their competitors' shorts.

"The more information you have, the better it is," says David Berkowitz, director of emerging media and client strategy at 360i, New York. "It would be even better if you could compare multiple videos side by side, and also view more benchmarks on industry averages--'your video gets 50% of its viewers from YouTube search compared to 30% for all YouTube videos'--and better yet, get benchmarks by the category of the video."

See more details in Marketing Daily.

Retail chain pays PR firm to finance recall of township officials

Michigan is investigating the possible election misconduct by a retail chain with more than 180 stores in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky.

The Meijer retail chain paid a public relations firm more than $30,000 to help run a campaign to recall township officials opposed to building a store in Acme Township, Michigan.

The Traverse City Record-Eagle disclosed documents related to the campaign that include contracts, invoices and e-mails.

According to the documents, the public relations firm wrote campaign literature and letters to the Record-Eagle that were signed by local residents; oversaw collection of petition signatures; upgraded the Web site of a pro-Meijer citizens group; and gave strategic advice to local supporters of the recall.

"For a corporation to secretly finance a recall campaign is pretty unique," said Rich Robinson, executive director of the nonpartisan Michigan Campaign Finance Network.

It's illegal under state law for corporations to contribute directly to political campaigns, although employees can donate through company-sponsored political action committees.

Click here to read more.

The Liberal News Cycle

Glenn Beck describes how the liberal media distorted a question he asked in jest on his show about Barack Obama. See his analysis here.