Word of Mobile…word gets around!

In a move to harness more value from the crowds YouTube has launched a feature called Annotations.

Annotations allow producers to add interactivity to their videos once they are published. As if YouTube was not sticky enough.

This layer of interactivity will surely increase engagement and add a ton of value to each video through the actions of the viewers.

Unfortunately the Annotations feature does not travel with the video as it is embedded away from YouTube, so you’ll have to click on the links in the text below to experience it.

Here is an example of viewer activated storytelling, i.e. the viewer makes a choice while watching and it effects what is seen next. Watch video.

Here is an example of an interactive card game using a similar choose your own adventure feature.

Here is an example of adding balloon style conversation using YouTube’s annotation feature once the video is published.

YouTube is currently only allowing publishers to collaborate with annotations but they are planning to open it up to the masses. I can’t wait to experience the creativity!

Click here to read YouTube’s explaination of the feature and benefits.

What do you think of all this? Please leave a comment.

Enjoy,
David

The Capital District of New York is heating up with Web 2.0 and user generated content interest.

Here is a great example of a local new media strategy and the national publicity that can come with it.

I like that NBC allows me to embed this player in my blog. It is interesting they are running their own contest via mail in DVD or tapes, not a web based upload tool.

I’ll keep you posted on the results of the Huck Finn audience generated video contest, if they become available as shareable content on the web.