Sets Performance Benchmark for Video-Sharing Websites in China
BEIJING, March 14 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Youku, China’s leading video-sharing website according to China Internet Society and iResearch, today announced that it has entered an exclusive partnership with social networking service provider MySpace China for the local market.
"The value proposition Youku brings to the MySpace.cn partnership is three-fold," said Victor Koo, CEO of Youku.com. "It expands MySpace.cn’s online offerings to include user-generated video content -- a much-in-demand attribute for social networking websites. It also allows MySpace.cn to cooperate with China’s leading and fastest growing online video site, and it enables MySpace to draw on proven proprietary technology developed by Youku to support its online video streaming capabilities," commented Koo.
Youku said the partnership with MySpace China is a good strategic fit. Beyond the fact that the companies’ online products and services complement each other, the agreement will help drive traffic to both sites, making them more valuable for global advertisers seeking ways to reach online consumers cost effectively, Youku said. The partnership is also being viewed as a positive business relationship that will promote a healthy culture of information-sharing between users of the Internet, as well as drive the development of Web 2.0 platforms in China.
Launched in December 2006, Youku has come to set the performance benchmark for video-sharing websites in China. According to a March 2008 report by iResearch, a leading online research company in China, Youku is ranked highest among China online video sites based on criteria such as user traffic, product offerings, capital investment and operational capabilities. "We are honored to receive this recognition from iResearch. These accolades speak for our success in building a scaleable, trusted and attractive online service," said Koo.
"Youku has a history of partnering with strong brands and pioneers on the Internet. We believe the marriage of a video and social networking website will significantly enhance the user experience for China’s online consumers, contribute to bringing more colorful experiences to the space, and multiply the ways in which Internet users can interact with each other," Koo added.
"We are excited about this new local partnership with Youku. It represents a milestone for MySpace China in our efforts to build an attractive, creative, and interactive platform for Chinese netizens," said Luo Chuan, CEO of MySpace China. "In the era of Web2.0, Internet users are the creators of web content. With the help of Youku’s technology, we will be able to capitalize on the positive growth trends of the China’s Internet economy."
The Youku video channel on MySpace.cn can be viewed at http://myspace.youku.com .
In addition to the latest iResearch report, Youku milestones include:
-- The Nielsen/NetRatings SiteCensus (Dec, 2007)
Recognizes Youku as the fastest growing website in China achieving
over 20-fold increase in its daily video views and daily unique
visitors since its formal launch in December 2006;
Youku registered more than 100 million daily video views during the
week ending December 16, 2007
-- Gomez Research (Jan, 2008)
Survey polled user experience among China’s websites. Youku was
named #1 among new media websites based on response speed, service
reliability and consistency
-- China Internet Society/Data Center of the China Internet (DCCI) (Jan,
2008)
Report states that Youku brand ranks #1 among all Chinese online video
sites in terms of popularity with Chinese netizens.
-- Red Herring (2007)
"Red Herring 100 Asia" award winner
About Youku.com
Youku.com ( http://www.YOUKU.com ) is a leading video sharing website and premier online video brand in China. It is one of the top destinations for people to watch and share short-form videos in Greater China. Youku was founded by Victor Koo, former President of Sohu.com (Nasdaq: SOHU), a leading Internet portal in China. Youku.com is the fastest growing online video site in China since its official launch in December 2006. It features the fastest video streaming speed, fastest video upload response and search for Internet users in China. Youku.com was named as "Red Herring 100 Asia" award winner for 2007, and also ranked #1 in the video sharing category according to the China Internet Society survey in July, 2007.
About MySpace China
MySpace China is a locally owned, operated and managed venture co-founded by MySpace.com, IDG and China Broadband Capital Partners. MySpace China and its key investors are committed to providing compelling experiences that empower members to express and showcase their creativity. MySpace China is dedicated to promoting a healthy cyber lifestyle and creating meaningful connections with friends of mutual interest through tailor-made localized products and features.
MySpace China will create a private online community where people of different ages, young and old, can create individual homepages and showcase themselves through blog posts, photos, and personal experiences. MySpace China will enable users to connect with people they care about, discover trends, and explore popular culture. For more information about MySpace China, please visit: http://www.myspace.cn .
