Haley-Baff Genetic Family Reunion

LONDON, UK
This past weekend, one of our favorite clients, RootsTelevision.com, asked us to join them in London to cover a very important announcement and reunion. In 2007 actor/filmmaker Chris Haley, the nephew of Roots fame Alex Haley, was persuaded by Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak and Ancestry.com to take a DNA for geneological research and entrance into the Ancestry.com DNA database. There are millions of names and DNA data entered into this database with the whole purpose of using science in geneological research, where other research and papers trails have gone dry. Chris Haley didn't see any results for some time, until about two weeks ago. The results would confirm his uncle's belief that they came from Scottish descent. TeleStory Pictures was given exclusive access to the historic meeting of Chris Haley and his newly discovered distant, Scottish cousin, June Baff-Black. Chris and June were a huge hit on BBC Breakfast, BBC News, and the talk of 2009 WDYTYA? Live! event in London.

Annie Moore Memorial Ceremony

QUEENS, NEW YORK
The famous story of Annie Moore from Ireland, the first immigrant to step foot on Ellis Island, came to a restful conclusion this weekend. TeleStory Pictures was there to capture New York City history for RootsTelevision.com. After a few years in New York City, Annie Moore had been thought to travel to and die somewhere in the midwest. Research in the past few years found this to be a different Annie Moore and the search began to find the real Annie. Veteran Geneologist/Researcher Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak soon discovered that Annie had never left New York City and was buried in an unmarked grave, along with her children, in her own backyard, Queens, NY. This video is of the Annie Moore Memorial Ceremony, an emotionally stirring moment for many who gathered from as far away as Ireland to honor their ancestor.

Unveiling the Mystery of Video In Under 2 Hours

Several weeks ago I had the opportunity to address a professional group and unveil the mystery of video production; how to light, setup a camera, get good sound, edit the footage and post it on the internet. It was a fast and furious, hour and half long, workshop of demonstration, question/answer, and teaching. Most had no idea what was involved in something that looks so simple. They were a great group to work with and very appreciative of the information. It gave them the opportunity to learn more about a tool they needed to use more readily in their businesses.

Are you using video in your business? If not, then keep reading. If you are, then still keep reading.

Video is a very powerful tools for your business. Take a look at the statistics. There are more than 1.4 billion internet users worldwide. More than 247 million in North America. In the fall of 2007, 75% of United States internet users watched more than 3 hours of video per month, averaging between 7.5-9 billion videos per month. That's three out of four users watching video online. The average American spends three more hours a day online than watching television.

As to the influence video has on sales and buying decision, the Wharton School of Business did a study. It showed that video increased the sales of a product or service by nearly 80% over conventional marketing and advertising tools like print and photos. Madison Avenue and Hollywood understand this. That's why motion pictures and television sell.

What can that do for you business? A whole lot. Leveraging the power of video on your website, as a sales tool, at your tradeshows, in your waiting area, as a marketing brochure, and more, can increase your bottom line significantly. Video and film moves people in ways that nothing else can because it reaches nearly all the sense.

Move your audience. Increase sales. Use the power of digital media in your business.