On Demand
We want our subscribers to really feel like they can help shape NC State's YouTube channel by letting us know the types of videos they enjoy watching or those they would like to see.
Web Communication multimedia designer Mark McLawhorn
NC State's official YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/ncstate)
By Dave Pond, Web Communication
From celebrities on campus to Tinkertoy-based lesson plans, an eclectic mix of videos highlighting all things NC State is now just a mouse-click away, with the unveiling of the university's official YouTube channel.
"We have great stories to tell here at NC State, and YouTube gives us another place to share those stories with a wide variety of audiences," said Tim Jones, the university's director of web communication.
Nationwide, NC State is part of a growing number of colleges and universities using the online video community as a way to promote its people, events, activities and research online. As many of the videos have already been produced for other audiences, reposting them to YouTube allows NC State to reach millions of potential viewers each day – all at no additional cost.
"Millions and millions of Web users are already spending a lot of time at YouTube, and now, NC State has the opportunity to get its content in front of those users, many of whom may not be regular visitors to the University's website," Jones said. "We're putting ourselves in a much better position to reach YouTube users and show them what NC State is all about – all on their turf."
In addition to posting high-definition videos produced by members of NC State's Creative Services team, Jones' Web Communication staff scours YouTube regularly in search of other Wolfpack-flavored videos that could help give visitors a more well-rounded look at what NC State is all about.
"Our on-campus videographers have put together a number of packages to promote different aspects of university life, but we've also seen that our subscribers enjoy user-created videos that capture personal, educational and social experiences at NC State," said Web Communication multimedia designer Mark McLawhorn.
"In addition, we can add historical footage like Jim Valvano's legendary 'Don't Give Up' speech to the official NC State channel as 'favorites' to help round out what in essence becomes a true, on-demand video library."
Channel subscribers are encouraged to send messages through NC State's YouTube site - sharing links to videos they've either watched or posted elsewhere on YouTube – or just log in to comment on the videos they've already viewed on the NC State channel.
"We want our subscribers to really feel like they can help shape the channel by letting us know the types of videos they enjoy watching or those they would like to see," McLawhorn said. "Even better, subscribers have the ability to go one step further in promoting the NC State channel and embed any of the videos that they enjoyed watching in their personal web pages, Facebook pages or blog sites."
Founded in February 2005, YouTube is the world's most popular online video community, allowing millions of people to discover, watch and share originally created videos. Every minute, 10 hours of new video content is uploaded to YouTube from users around the world.
