Google has launched a new ‘DIY-style’ video ad package for small businesses, offering ‘free’ professional video ads and tools… provided they spend $150 on YouTube ads.
The new iOS app, called YouTube Director, is designed to help businesses with little or no marketing budget create commercials on their own.
The app includes a number of templates, music and editing tools and is free to use.
Businesses who decide to participate can choose from a number of sector-specific video templates. YouTube them teams them up with a local filmmaker who will write a short script and visit the business for a two- to three-hour video shoot. The final video will then be placed on YouTube with the help of an ad specialist.
Google has also launched a YouTube Director onsite service. Here, businesses in select cities that commit to spending $150 on YouTube advertising will be able to have a YouTube-vetted filmmaker visit their business to film a spot for them.
Initially, only six U.S. cities are open to the service, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. and San Francisco, but more will be added later.Youtube di not confirm timings for an international launch.
Giving away video productions is an interesting move for YouTube. The service clearly hopes that businesses will continue to use their ads beyond the first $150 of ad spending. But the move also goes to show that YouTube now has to compete on multiple fronts to retain and grow its advertising revenue.
View a promo video for the tools here: