Tuesday, March 03, 2009

AM Inbox: REI's embedded video gif

The Retail Email Blog monitors the email marketing campaigns of more than 100 top online retailers. Here are highlights from my inbox this morning:

REI, 2/28 — Introducing REI's New Carry-on + Wrinkle-Free, Travel-Ready Clothing‏
REI, 2/27 — Rugged and Ready to Roll: REI Luggage - See the Video
Smith-Harmon client REI has begun testing "embedded video gif” using Liveclicker’s technology. Animation video is a compressed animated gif that plays like a video in an email, but without sound. Because it’s based on animated gif technology, the video is blocked by certain email clients like Outlook 2007. REI A/B tested the email, providing animation video to some and a static image to clickthrough to the video to others. You can see the video in action in the web-hosted version.

Click to view this Feb. 28, 2009 REI email full-sized

In addition to the animated video, REI also included animation to highlight product features the animated portion of the email:



Sears was the first major online retailer to use embedded video, using technology from VHD Technology (see Dec. 15 AM Inbox).

Macy’s, 3/2 — Free Shipping on top-rated items, reviewed by shoppers like you!
A sign of how impactful and important preheader text can be, in this email Macy’s includes the discount code and a call-to-action in the preheader, eliminating the need to scroll down for those subscribers who are ready to take action.

Click to view this Feb. 28, 2009 email full-sized

SUBJECTIVITY SCANNER: Select noteworthy subject lines
Williams-Sonoma, 3/2 — Create Incredible Easter Eggs‏
Harry & David, 3/2 — A Taste of Summer in Winter, only from the Fruit Experts!‏
Orvis, 3/2 — NEW Surfwashed Twills in 12 colors - perfect for summer! Plus, lowest Tent Sale prices!‏
Etronics, 3/2 — Etronics.com: Off season BBQ blitz. Cash in with winter deals on grills and accessories.‏
J. Crew, 3/2 — New arrivals. Shop our spring collection. In stores and online.‏
Home Depot, 3/2 — Look What's New! Great Patio Sets for Spring!
Art.com, 3/2 — 25% Off + Decorate for Spring‏
Frederick’s of Hollywood, 3/2 — Spring's sexiest pairs + free shipping.‏

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4 comments:

Becs said...

Bluefly also used the same model for their coats as the one on this Macy's email. Am I the only person that think she looks a bit evil? It would not persuade me to buy this sweater at all!

Anonymous said...

Curious about the results of the REI video test...will you be publishing those?

Chad White said...

I believe that we will be. Stay tuned...

Marco said...

Also very interested to hear the REI vidgif results!