MTV sets up video e-mail

MTVi UK has launched an interactive video newsletter, offering sponsorship and advertising opportunities to marketers who want to reach the MTV audience.

The weekly newsletter, to be e-mailed to mtv.co.uk subscribers, will stream video clips of exclusive interviews and performances with big-name music artists, including Ricky Martin and Christina Aguilera, who feature in the first issue.

By using new technology called Streamwave, the video clips open automatically within the newsletter without needing the usual plug-ins. MTVi claims the file size will never exceed 200k. This substantially reduces the time it takes consumers to download the e-mail on a standard 56k dial-up modem, says MTV.

MTVi UK managing director Chris Sice says: “This is the UK’s first newsletter to carry video music content in this style. It’s a great tool for advertisers to reach the MTV audience in a really compelling way.”