Coull launches online ad products after finance boost

by Jacquie Bowser, Brand Republic 11-Feb-08, 11:20

LONDON - Interactive online video company Coull has launched two products, after securing a seven-figure capital injection, and appointed Gillian Kent of MSN to its board.

The two products, Coull Engage and Coull Activate, will allow brands and content owners to create and manage interactive online video. They have been launched after the company won a cash injection from Finance South West Growth Fund and Creative Ventures Group and private investors.

Coull Engage is an online video advertising format that allows digital marketing agencies to create highly interactive video ads, which can then be tracked and monitored in real time.

Coull Activate is a separate web application that makes any online video content interactive, such as an object on a webpage, which can be linked to another site, product or service.

Irfon Watkins, chief executive at Coull, said: "[Coull's technology] offers brands and content owners increased creative scope to incorporate advertising into online video content, in a way that directly engages consumer audiences.

"Maximising the opportunity presented by the continued surge in consumer use of online video.

"The financial investment will be used to accelerate further development of these products and to augment Coull's sales and marketing programme."

Separately, Gillian Kent, the former MSN UK managing director and chief executive of PropertyFinder.com, has been appointed to the board of directors at Coull.

Kent will be responsible for helping establish Coull as a premium online video advertising format within the digital marketing and publishing sectors.

Spyro Korsanos, founder of Creative Ventures Group, has also been appointed to the board.