PALO ALTO, Calif. (Business Wire) -- Metacafe, the world's largest independent video site, today launched Producer Rewards(TM), a new program that helps video creators gain recognition and earn money for their best work. Beginning today, creators can collect $5 for every 1,000 views of their video clip on Metacafe in exchange for the non-exclusive right to distribute their work on any platform.
Any Producer Rewards video can skyrocket to the Metacafe front page based solely on content quality as determined by Metacafe's proprietary VideoRank(TM) technology. Metacafe attracts a global audience of nearly 17 million viewers every month, and the Top 200 videos on Metacafe receive more views than the Top 200 videos on video sharing site YouTube.
"Anyone can upload a clip to the web, but it remains extremely difficult to attract viewers and make money," said Arik Czerniak, co-founder and CEO of Metacafe. "Metacafe's Producer Rewards introduces a straightforward payment program and a fast path to a global audience that relies solely on the quality of your work."
Beta Program Results
In a four-week trial, Producer Rewards videos were viewed more than 10 million times. Thirty video creators earned more than a combined $60,000 from their work, and Metacafe gained rights to hundreds of great user-generated clips with proven appeal.
Brandon McConnell, an artist and zoo groundskeeper in San Diego, California, made over $5,300 during the beta test of the Producer Rewards program. His Amazing Spray Painting and Amazing Sprayer! videos have been viewed over one million times on Metacafe. "Metacafe is amazing," said McConnell. "I've made thousands of dollars through Producer Rewards. And sales of my paintings and videos at my www.spacepainting.com site have tripled in the last four months. I get emails from people around the world saying things like 'you inspire me'."
"It's almost like winning the jackpot," adds Tommy Chang, martial arts instructor and stunt producer for films such as Behind Enemy Lines and X-Men 3. Mr. Chang mentors Toronto-based martial artist Joe Eigo, whose Matrix for Real video has been seen over 4.5 million times on Metacafe. "As an independent video producer, you wouldn't be able to make that level of income in 5 to 10 years of work, but with Metacafe, you can make thousands and reach an amazingly appreciative audience."
How it Works
Any short video can be submitted to Producer Rewards as long as it is owned by the creator and suitable for all audiences. All video submissions are distributed to a random selection of more than 100,000 reviewers who opt-in to review new videos to the Metacafe site. This review process filters off duplicates and content that does not meet the Producer Rewards guidelines.
Once a video is accepted into the Producer Rewards program, the video is immediately exposed to Metacafe's worldwide community of nearly 17 million monthly viewers. At that point, it's up to the Metacafe audience to determine the success of the video. Metacafe's VideoRank mines the collective wisdom of its viewers using proprietary algorithms which factor in all aspects of viewers' interactions with video content. Rating and site placement is determined automatically by VideoRank with no editorial involvement, and constantly updated based on changes in viewer behavior.
Metacafe pays Producer Reward participants $5 for every 1,000 views of their short video on the Metacafe site in return for non-exclusive rights to distribute content worldwide on any platform, including mobile networks. Payment begins after a video passes a minimum threshold of 20,000 views and the community has given the video a rating of 3.0 or higher. Based on the power of Metacafe's VideoRank technology and the large size of Metacafe's audience, good videos can surpass 20,000 views in just a few hours.
Viewers do not have to click through on an advertisement for producers to receive compensation; they only have to watch the video itself. Metacafe estimates that approximately 30% of videos on the Metacafe site have already exceeded this threshold.
"Making money on other video sites is either impossible or very, very difficult," continued Czerniak. "Viewers need to find your video and then click through on an advertisement. Metacafe is dramatically different because we deliver the audience and pay you based on the number of views you receive. The bottom-line with Metacafe? Quality is rewarded."
About Metacafe
Metacafe is the world's largest independent video site based on global traffic, total page views and time spent on site. Metacafe is the only site that mines the collective wisdom of its audience to filter and surface the most entertaining videos, making it the best place to both watch and distribute high quality and entertaining video content. For more information, please visit www.metacafe.com.
for Metacafe
Mark Day, 415-216-9181
mark@bradypr.com
Emily Brady, 650-692-6107
emily@bradypr.com
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