One of the things I’m working so hard at in my day job is increasing our trade association’s video presence online. The video above is a 76 second attempt to get our 5,000+ members and others to support the nonprofit arm of our trade association. I’m fanatical in my belief that Social Media (especially video!) is akin to the invention of the telegraph, telephone and television all rolled into one. It’s that big of a deal, and companies/brands/corporations that fail to see this or jump on board late in the game are doomed.

Although it has a semi-local focus, this is a great article from MinnPost.com here in the Twin Cities about the growing niche of online video services being offered to companies. Here in Minneapolis/St. Paul, there are more than 500(!) video production companies all fighting for these dollars. (I think Ed Heil’s shop runs one of the best, for what it’s worth.)

My thought is this: While I’m all for outsourcing these needs and supporting great vendors like Ed and the other 499 shops in the Twin Cities, I also think it’s imperative that the in-house PR and Marketing departments at brands/corporations/companies have some serious video skills to start with, or at least the desire to learn video. To me, a PR person who isn’t interested in video is like a PR person who isn’t interested in using the telephone or e-mail. If I was hiring someone, that would be a huge red flag during the interview process.

So what has your company/brand/corporation done so far with online video? What is/isn’t working? Share away!