Courtenay Communications has set August as the target launch date for the DMNews.com Video Network, which will contain streaming video newscasts, issue previews, topical interviews, supplier messages and other timely features relating to direct, database and interactive marketing.
According to DM News publisher Ron Sichler, the streaming video Webcasts will be offered free and will be supported by sponsorship dollars and paid supplier profiles. The model will be similar to the news and special feature Webcasts being offered by such media companies as ABCNews.com, Forbes.com and WashingtonPost.com.
Starting in August, Sichler said, issue previews will be Webcast on Friday afternoons to describe the news stories and other features in upcoming print editions. Unlike scheduled Webinars available elsewhere, the Webcast includes both audio and video and can be accessed 24/7.
“This will represent a terrific new way for direct and interactive marketers to access the latest news and information,” said Sichler, “and they can be sure that the information they're getting is timely and accurate because it's from the DM News editorial team, which has been setting the standard for quality journalism in this field for the last 25 years.”
Other editorial features will include live interviews with marketers, suppliers and expert analysts on important trends and issues in the field of direct and interactive marketing and e-commerce.
On the commercial side, the video network will include a selection of supplier profiles underwritten by leading supplier companies that wish to describe their companies, products or services in live streaming video interviews. Information on the costs and details of these paid messages are available from the DM News sales department.
Sichler said DM News remains in the vanguard as an information service and is embarking on the video network venture in response to changing technology and the changing needs of the marketplace.
“Readers are getting their news from many different sources these days,” he said. “They read e-mail newsletters. They visit Web sites. And they look at Webcasts from the progressive media companies that have been forward-looking enough to embrace the technology. We've got the technology and the editorial staff to keep our readers informed by whatever channel they choose.”
DM News has extensively researched and experimented with video technology in the past year, producing a series of hourlong video roundtables and interviews on such subjects as e-mail marketing, telemarketing, search engine strategies and the Wal-Martization of America. The new service, however, represents a change in direction from the sale of videos in the form of CD, VHS or DVD format to streaming video offered at no charge right on the DM News Web site.
Interview suggestions should be directed to editor in chief Tad Clarke at 212/925-7300, ext. 222, or by e-mail to [email protected] . Inquiries on ad sponsorships of the DMNews.com Video Network or supplier profiles should be directed to publisher Ron Sichler at 212/925-7300, ext. 251, or by e-mail to [email protected] .
