A Kodak Moment On YouTube

An internal video presentation, created by Kodak for a digital conference, has found its way on to YouTube.

by Helen Leggatt

Whether or not it was leaked or if it ended up there by design, the Kodak video is a big hit online. Many viewers thought, it should be aired on television. It features a speech being given by a suited, gray-haired man which begins sedately and ends with a frenzied presenter walking off the stage.

With viral marketing fast becoming another marketing tool in the online toolbox the online audience is becoming more and more suspicious of “leaked” videos, although a short length and entertaining script still goes down well with the masses.

One of the Kodak video viewers commented on YouTube “This was the funniest thing I've seen in a long time. Great marketing, whether it was 'internal video' or 'viral video' - either way it was brilliant. They should cut it down a little in length and make it a Superbowl commercial.”

The spotlight can’t come soon enough for Kodak. Canon and Sony are steaming ahead in the digital camera sales arena, while Kodak are lounging in third place, ending the fourth quarter of 2006 7% down on 2005.

"We've always executed emotionally. But that can mean not only making you cry, but make you laugh or take pause," said Betty Noonan, Kodak Director and VP-brand management (via AdAge). "We're doing a lot more exploring in the digital-media world, a lot of testing. You can expect a lot more from us."

Maybe Kodak will reveal yet more about their digital marketing as well as their digital cameras at next weeks International Consumer Electronics Show.