YouTube’s metamorphosis from repository of cat videos to an international online TV service continues apace. This week the video streaming site joined forces with Twitter to create an entertainment extravaganza which leveraged celebrity endorsements, live performances and the best of online talent to raise funds for a US-based homelessness charity. Here’s what happened, and how you can use YouTube for your organisation.
Anyone who still doubted the influence that YouTube has on our daily lives must surely have revised that opinion during 2012: just seeing Ban Ki Moon, Madonna and Bruce Forsyth et al dancing ‘gangam style’ is testament to the power of the viral video (and the original gangam sensation is now officially the top trending video of the year and has been granted a little animated gif next to the YouTube logo).
This week, Virgin Mobile in the US and What’s Trending brought together a wealth of YouTube materials, live acts and celebrities to raise money for charity. The event, billed as the first ‘annual Tube-a-Tweet-a-Thon’ styled itself as an ‘old school variety shows with the digital smartphone culture’ – according to the Head of Brand Marketing for Virgin Mobile USA, Ron Faris. The ‘show’ featured performances by Snoop Lion, Pentatonix and the Annoying Orange – for a full list of participants, check out this article from All Twitter.
Viewers of the online extravaganza could generate a dollar for the homelessness charity, Covenant House by tweeting using the hashtag #tubeathon – with the money donated by Virgin Mobile (up to a value of $50,000). You can review how it all went on Mashable and on the What’s Trending website.
If this online event has inspired you to make more use of YouTube, then you might be interested in the following resources:
- Mashable reports on a new iPhone app for recording and sharing video
- All Twitter shares an infographic which charts why visual now owns social media
- And for a spoof suggestion of how to make your video go viral, check out this article from The Wall Blog (don’t try this at home, folks!).
Are you a viral virtuoso? Share your tips!
