Logitech Teams with YouTube to Promote Webcam Video Sharing

WebKnowHow
Thursday, July 13, 2006; 02:56 AM

Webcam manufacturer Logitech announced a co-marketing agreement with YouTube that will make it easier for people using Logitech QuickCam webcams to upload their videos to the largest video entertainment site on the Internet. Logitech plans to provide an integrated link to YouTube.com within the Logitech QuickCam software. In return, YouTube will promote Logitech as its official webcam partner.

A Logitech QuickCam web camera.

Logitech's QuickCam webcam customers have downloaded 5 million Video Effects accessories and characters, from among the 140 choices of downloadable content available at Logitech.com. This content is refreshed monthly with new downloads created for major holidays and events such as this month's World Cup, helping satisfy a constant stream of demand from YouTube users. Rising Internet stars have added these animated accessories -- such as glasses, facial hair, or even an arrow through the head -- to spice up their videos, and many have completely transformed themselves into three-dimensional animated characters (avatars) on the video clips they record and share online.

"When we launched Logitech Video Effects software last year we were targeting the people who would use webcams to express themselves in fun and creative ways," said Gina Clark, Logitech's vice president of product marketing for Internet communications. "The amazing growth of YouTube usage shows that we are driving the next wave of video communications, called Personal Expression. By offering one-click access to YouTube in our software, we make it simple for our customers to record and share their videos. And with our popular Video Effects software, almost anyone can be creative and add fun to their video recordings."

"Our users want to communicate quickly and easily with their friends and family," said Chris Maxcy, vice president of business development for YouTube. "With the Logitech QuickCam software and immediate access to YouTube, consumers can more effortlessly express their creativity and reach their growing audiences in new ways."

Logitech's new QuickCam software, available for download later this summer, will have an intuitive icon-based interface that makes it easy to change camera settings, launch video-calling applications, activate Logitech Video Effects, and record video clips. And it will feature an integrated blogging/sharing/podcasting tab that offers a link to a landing page on the YouTube Web site.

YouTube allows people to easily upload and share video clips on www.YouTube.com and across the Internet through websites, blogs, and e-mail. The company currently delivers more than 80 million video views everyday with more than 65,000 new videos uploaded daily.