I’ve recently read about a new online project that is being launched shortly called MyBrumTV - the first time I’ve found an interesting article in a free paper posted through my door! It’s created by a partnership of Birmingham Independent Group and South Birmingham College and looks like it’s essentially an online directory but sounds like it trying to use more alternative media to promote those listings e.g. footage of business and interviews with owners.
I’m interested to find out more but I’ve got 20 days odd to wait if you take a look at the countdown. However it does look like the cat might be out of the bag a bit if you search Google as what looks like the development site is available through mybrumtv.net - there is a media pack here that might be of interest but everything else seems not to be working at this time. Perhaps it’s just a place holder because otherwise they’ve got a lot of work to do in 20 days!
I’m disappointed with the social media impact of this project as I can’t find a thing about it (feel free to point me in the right direction). I would have thought a project like this should be leaning heavily on social media at least locally to boost the profile.
And if anyone is reading this who is related to the project please update the holding page to give it a page title other than “Untitled document” - a pet hate of mine.
Thanks for the heads up on the ‘untitled document’…have now changed to “MyBrumTv - COBB”…Courtesy Of Blogging Brum..lol. I’m the Digital Media Manager for the Birmingham Independent and manage My Brum Tv, as well as the other sites we’re working on. you are correct in that the site is essentially a directory, but utilising video instead of simple listings…of course, this may seem just the same as everyone else, but as a business that deals with advertising…it’s the next logical step.
You mention Social Networks, this too is in the pipeline, though probably not in the same sense as youtube, myspace, live leak etc…we have some clear ideas on this, but it’s definately in the works, as is virtual worlds etc…
The site will launch in phases, with the main completion in September, but as someone who has noticed one of our test areas, I would welcome your input.
You can call me on 0121 446 1345 or email…thanks
Jamie
You can see the entire mybrumtv site by going to mybrumtv.net. From what I hear, they charge about £4k for your to have a page and then assign a bunch of untrained, inexperienced students to shoot you a video which is incredibly poor quality, bad sound etc. Some of their awful work can be found on the mybrumtv.net website.
I suggest, if youre going to pay that sort of money, you use a proper production company to shoot your video - broadcast quality etc. Not leave your business reputation in the hands of students and sales repts.
@Louise - thanks for your comment but I’ll reserve judgement until the site officially launches - not really fair to base an opinion on what is clearly still under development.
I can’t comment on prices but until the site has any kind of impact as directory online (and in the search engines) I personally wouldn’t see a good ROI using it at this stage. I’m surprised there is no mention of prices on the site and perhaps initial free listings until things take off.
With regard to using students to produce the video and site I personally don’t see a problem with this as long as the quality produced is professional (again reserving judgement). I seem to remember a fairly successful website being produced initially by students in the States - Google!
I was more interested to see how they were going to use video within the directory than anything else - currently the site doesn’t seem to be working (videos won’t even play) so I can’t comment.
As this is a Brum blog I just wanted to highlight this new site as will be launching soon.
@Jamie - will drop you an email separately about my thoughts. Do you think it will launch on time seems like a lot still to do?
Louise, Louise…or someone who has the name beginning with L!…Your bitterness shows and is quite sad…maybe that’s why you left our company a couple of weeks ago, but then again after seeing your lack of Presentation skills, it’s just as well!…and yes, we have heard about you calling previous customers and bad mouthing us…how very petty of you!
Anyway, to answer our former employees assertions, we have utilised the skills of Students, who have completed their courses (with distinction) in Media Production and have joined the company full-time…why? because of cheap labour…err…no, because they are extremely talented…should we or any other business shy away from University or College Students…just because they are STUDENTS?…how pathetic!
Personally, I don’t know of any customers that are paying “4K”…once again, the assertions are incorrect. We are a business, nothing more, nothing less, that is utilising the Internet to showcase Businesses across Birmingham, but rest assured, there is no compromise in the quality or skillset of my team, because I WOULD NOT ALLOW IT. It is a very Professional, forward thinking company, with myself leading the Digital Media team…of which I have 10 years experience of Web Development and Project Management.
I must apologise to viewers of this, nobody likes to ‘hang out their Laundry in public’, but what we are working on and aiming for, is a site that will be a platform for Birmingham businesses, but also a platform for ‘Brummies’ to have their say, get involved, make a video etc…Will this be done from day one?…maybe not…but myself and my team and my Company will endeavor to produce the very best that we can for Birmingham…even for flamers! And I welcome any suggestions and constructive criticism from the users and will answer personally.
(my apologies to Blogging Brum…keep up the good work)
Jamie Morden
Digital Media Manager
0121 446 1345
@David.
I set up the test sites, purely for the sales staff to use as a kind of ‘online Presentation’…the actual site that has been developed is far more comprehensive and not just a static website, which the test site is.
@Jamie - I’ll hold off until it launches then - looking forward to seeing what you’ve achieved. Only just over 1 day left!
@David
lol…lots to do…lots will be hidden…will stabalise in 2 or 3 weeks. call me or email, i;ll give you the heads up on our plans and how you and your site can be a part of it!
[…] posted not long ago on Blogging Brum about a potential new business directory for Birmingham I heard about. It’s now gone live and I […]
This website is awful !!! I only logged on to it out of interest after seeing a bizarre bill board advert, which didn’t explain much! I was only bored which is why I looged on, i wish I hadn’t i was bored further by the site. The video’s are slow to load and stop continually and from what i can see all the the video’s don’t match the headings, for example in the job section I found a window company???? Is this due to lack of content?from what I can see things will only get worse!! I found it a totally boring and undeveloped site. If it’s still work in progress perhaps they shouldn’t have offically launched it until september, becuase I for one will not be logging on again. Remember bad news travels fast, I’ve already told a least 10 people about the site and informed them not to bother. sorry but i think a few more reputable company such as ITV local will work out far better for informative video advertising. sarah