AfterDawn: News

Joost has signed up 31 advertisers worldwide ahead of the launch of its free Internet video service. It was founded by the founders of Skype, and original founders of Kazaa, Niklas Zennstrom and partner Janus Friis. The advertising deals are a major boost for Joost as it is set to compete with the likes of Apple Inc. Joost is currently still under beta testing ahead of its launch expected within months.

Viacom and CBS are two examples of major content deals Joost now has under its belt. Joost has set its sights on long-form programming instead of the YouTube approach which targets short-form amateur videos. The company currently has about 100 employees across the U.S. and Europe and is working with about 20 companies to develop marketing campaigns for its clients.



Companies that have agreed to support Joost's network include Coca Cola, Intel, United Airlines, Nike, Hewlett-Packard, Samsung, EA, Nokia, Vodafone, General Motors Europe, Warner Bros, L'Oreal Paris and IBM. "Joost delivers a distinct environment: the ability to micro-target audiences with new and unique ads during professionally produced programming," Nick Loria, Joost's senior vice president of global advertising, said in the statement released on Thursday.

Source:
Reuters

Written by: James Delahunty @ 29 Apr 2007 19:37