What Can Big Cities Learn about Online Video Strategy from the Town of Gilbert, Arizona?

Gilbert, Arizona, population 237K, is using online video, and other digital initiatives, to better serve, and also better engage with, its citizens, and its visitors. There are many things that bigger cities can learn from this strategy, especially how the traditional press release just isn't cutting it anymore when it comes to Government communications.

#SocialSkim: Amazon Launchpad for Startups, Plus 13 More Stories in This Weeks Roundup

Learn about Amazon's support for startups launching products. Also: Yahoo Livetext, managing relationships with short-form content creators, and the socnet growing the fastest. And is Twitter really cracking down on stolen jokes? Skim to stay in step. Read the full article at MarketingProfs

What Can Big Cities Learn about Online Video Strategy from the Town of Gilbert, Arizona?

Gilbert, Arizona, population 237K, is using online video, and other digital initiatives, to better serve, and also better engage with, its citizens, and its visitors. There are many things that bigger cities can learn from this strategy, especially how the traditional press release just isn't cutting it anymore when it comes to Government communications.

New Platforms Mean New Opportunities: Welcome to the Video Reblog!

The cost of producing video content is still prohibitive for many brands and creators, but there's a whole new family of video production platforms that can substantially lower the cost per-video. Just as YouTube and the affordability of webcams created the perfect storm for video blogging, these innovative platforms are encouraging their own type of video format – the video reblog.

Five Steps You Need to Take Before You Spend a Dime on Advertising (Article 1 of 2)

Usually, advertising doesn't come cheap, but it can be cost-effective--if you do your homework ahead of time and follow some best-practices. Read the full article at MarketingProfs

New Platforms Mean New Opportunities: Welcome to the Video Reblog!

The cost of producing video content is still prohibitive for many brands and creators, but there's a whole new family of video production platforms that can substantially lower the cost per-video. Just as YouTube and the affordability of webcams created the perfect storm for video blogging, these innovative platforms are encouraging their own type of video format – the video reblog.

The Top Online Lead Generation Tactics and Metrics

Marketing, sales, and business professionals say email is the most effective digital tactic they use to generate leads, according to a recent report from Ascend2. Read the full article at MarketingProfs

Why YouTube Will Be Better Off Without Google Plus

In a bid to overhaul the comments system on YouTube, Google forced users to integrate with its social platform, Google Plus. But now Google has reversed the decision, which is good news for YouTube users, and probably for YouTube itself in the long run.

Why YouTube Will Be Better Off Without Google Plus

In a bid to overhaul the comments system on YouTube, Google forced users to integrate with its social platform, Google Plus. But now Google has reversed the decision, which is good news for YouTube users, and probably for YouTube itself in the long run.

Drake vs. Meek Mill: The rap beef explained

If you're reading this, it's probably because you don't understand why the rap world is exploding over Drake and Meek Mill right now

"I don't even know what a Meek Mill is," you mumble to yourself. First of all, that's disrespectful, and second of all, it's okay. We're here to guide you through this rap beef

The year is 2015. On Jun. 29, Meek Mill, a Philadelphia born and bred rapper, releases his second studio album, Dreams Worth More Than Money. People love it. It debuts at number one on the Billboard Hot 200 chart and sells over 200,000 copies in its first week. Some critics even wonder if, at this point in his career, Meek Mill is better than Jay Z was at the same stage Read more...

More about Music, Entertainment, Hip Hop, Rap, and Drake

Facebook Video Owns Day One, But YouTube Wins the Long-Term Love

When building a successful multi-platform video strategy, brands need to know what type of content works best on which social video site. For instance, did you know that uploading a native video to Facebook can generate an enormous amount of views on the first day, but uploading the same video to YouTube can lead to more views and engagement in the long run? A new report from Tubular and Ogilvy offers brands an insight into how they can get the best out of YouTube, Facebook, Vine, and Instagram Video.

Twitter loses 2 top employees to YouTube and Dropbox

The Twitter departures keep on coming

Twitter vice president of product management Christian Oestlien and product director Todd Jackson announced on Tuesday via — what else? — tweet they are both moving on to YouTube and Dropbox, respectively

See also: Twitter's bearded new CEO will make his public debut today

I am thrilled to be joining @YouTube! I can’t wait to start work with the team and our partners building the future of video together.

— Christian Oestlien (@christianism) July 28, 2015

Excited for what’s next – joining @Dropbox to lead product and work alongside an incredible team!

— Todd Jackson (@tjack) July 28, 2015 Read more...

More about Social, Twitter, Tech, Apps Software, and Mobile

Facebook Video Owns Day One, But YouTube Wins the Long-Term Love

When building a successful multi-platform video strategy, brands need to know what type of content works best on which social video site. For instance, did you know that uploading a native video to Facebook can generate an enormous amount of views on the first day, but uploading the same video to YouTube can lead to more views and engagement in the long run? A new report from Tubular and Ogilvy offers brands an insight into how they can get the best out of YouTube, Facebook, Vine, and Instagram Video.

#SocialSkim: YouTube's 360° Video Ads, 11 Plus More Stories in This Week's Roundup

This week, get the breakdown on YouTube's 360° ad format, and new tools for managing native Facebook content. We'll also tell you about Airbnb for Business, which hashtags Instagram bans (and why), and how to maintain your social prowess among vacationers. Skip to stay in step over the summer! Read the full article at MarketingProfs

Snapchat is the Fastest Growing Social Network (Infographic)

Snapchat is the Fastest Growing Social Network (Infographic)

Top 9 Things I Learned From the Industry Track at VidCon 2015

The Industry Track at VidCon 2015 was a goldmine of information for video marketers and industry professionals. We bring you the top 9 tips we took away from the two day event, including how to get the most out of Facebook native uploads.

22 songs for a perfect beach day

Let's go to the beach, beach, let's go get away.

We're right in the middle of summer and it's the perfect time to hit the beach

See also: 20 songs to cool off with during the sweltering summer heat

That's why we made this Music Monday beach day playlist full of songs that sound best alongside some surf and sun. Throw on these tunes the next time you're at the beach!

Don't see your beach song on the playlist? Share it with us in the comments, below, or on Spotify, and we'll add it in.

How to share your song with us

1. To follow Mashable on Spotify, click here. If a popup window asks you to launch an external application, accept. This just means the browser will open up Spotify. Read more...

More about Music, Summer, Spotify, Playlists, and Music Monday

VidCon 2015 Haul: Trends, Strategic Insights, Critical Data, and Tactical Advice

VidCon 2015 was a must-attend event for brands and video marketing teams, and we bring you news on the latest trends in the digital video marketing business, along with strategic insights, critical data, and tactical advice from the Industry Track.

VidCon 2015 Haul: Trends, Strategic Insights, Critical Data, and Tactical Advice

VidCon 2015 was a must-attend event for brands and video marketing teams, and we bring you news on the latest trends in the digital video marketing business, along with strategic insights, critical data, and tactical advice from the Industry Track.

The Most Trusted Channels for Branded Content

Consumers say Facebook is the channel in which they are most likely to trust content created by a brand/company, according to a recent report from The Acquity Group. Read the full article at MarketingProfs

Top 9 Things I Learned From the Industry Track at VidCon 2015

The Industry Track at VidCon 2015 was a goldmine of information for video marketers and industry professionals. We bring you the top 9 tips we took away from the two day event, including how to get the most out of Facebook native uploads.

'Star Wars' fan-made VR experience puts you in an X-Wing Fighter

In a galaxy far, far away, an incredible virtual reality video of Star Wars put everyone in the seat of an X-wing Starfighter

Unfortunately, Lucasfilm, the studio behind the Star Wars franchise, issued a cease and desist.

See also: The Internet liked Amy Schumer's 'Star Wars' photoshoot. 'Star Wars' did not.

That order forced the video's creators, HammerheadVR, to scrub it from Vimeo. Fortunately, someone managed to save a version of the epic video on YouTube. It doesn't have sound, but it's nearly as good

Using the Unreal Engine 4, the Oculus Rift-ready experience puts you in the cockpit during an X-wing space battle, in the seat of a 74-Z speeder bike in the forests of Endor and airborne while fighting on the snowy planet Hoth. Read more...

More about Star Wars, Vr, Virtual Reality, Gaming, and Youtube

VidCon 2015: Online Video is Changing the World As We Know It

Day 1 of VidCon 2015 kicked off with an impassioned keynote speech from co-founder John Green, plus Ze Frank gives a breakdown of why video has been so successful for BuzzFeed. We bring you the highlights from the first day of the world's biggest celebration of online video.

VidCon 2015: Online Video is Changing the World As We Know It

Day 1 of VidCon 2015 kicked off with an impassioned keynote speech from co-founder John Green, plus Ze Frank gives a breakdown of why video has been so successful for BuzzFeed. We bring you the highlights from the first day of the world's biggest celebration of online video.

Adult Swim: YouTube Channel Review - Through the 'Reel' Wringer

Video marketing series 'Through the Wringer' takes an in-depth look at a leading YouTube channel and reviews the content, programming, marketing, and audience strategy so you don't have to. This week, Adult Swim gets the Reel Wringer treatment.

Adult Swim: YouTube Channel Review - Through the 'Reel' Wringer

Video marketing series 'Through the Wringer' takes an in-depth look at a leading YouTube channel and reviews the content, programming, marketing, and audience strategy so you don't have to. This week, Adult Swim gets the Reel Wringer treatment.

Airbnb vs. Uber: Which Brand Engages the Most Video Viewers? [Brand vs Brand]

Airbnb and Uber may not be direct competitors, but they are both leading brands in the 'on-demand' economy. We look at how both companies are using video to tell there particular stories, and find that there's plenty of room for improvement when it comes to driving an engaged audience.

Five Classic Traits of Successful Strategies

Wanting to reach a goal isn't enough. You need a strategic plan of action to achieve that goal. Read the full article at MarketingProfs

YouTube redesigns app, will open creator spaces in Toronto and Mumbai

ANAHEIM, California — YouTube has redesigned its mobile app to put its creators' content "front and center" and is planning on adding two new major studio spaces in Toronto and Mumbai, CEO Susan Wojcicki announced Thursday at Vidcon.

Giving her second keynote at the annual conference of online video platforms and creators after debuting here last year with a plethora of new features, Wojcicki said the redesigned app will "include a simple way for fans to opt in to all notifications from favorite creator's channels," which got a whoop from the crowd of creators gathered at the Anaheim Convention Center. Read more...

More about Youtube, Online Video, Entertainment, Video, and Apps Software

Airbnb vs. Uber: Which Brand Engages the Most Video Viewers? [Brand vs Brand]

Airbnb and Uber may not be direct competitors, but they are both leading brands in the 'on-demand' economy. We look at how both companies are using video to tell there particular stories, and find that there's plenty of room for improvement when it comes to driving an engaged audience.

Slack can now send you Google Calendar alerts

Slack, the slick candy-colored chat app quickly taking over office communications, now wants to help you keep track of your calendar too

The company is building Google Calendar alerts into its apps in a push to make it a deeper part of user's work lives, the company announced in a blog post. The feature is rolling out to users on Thursday

See also: The essential toolkit for working remotely anywhere in the world

If you already spend a lot of time in Slack, this optimization may save you from compulsively checking your calendar throughout the day. After setting it up in your company's integration page, you can configure automatic notifications to appear from any Google Calendar into any channel. So if you've got a team meeting soon, a notification will appear in your team's channel, or you can have the slackbot notify you Read more...

More about Google, Google Calendar, Tech, Apps Software, and Slack