Video by Move.PH

MANILA, Philippines — Whether you want to be the next Charice, earn ad sales from original videos with the potential to “go viral,” or promote a brand, the localized version of online video-sharing site YouTube will have you seeing numbers in a good way.

YouTube, which Internet giant Google acquired in 2006, officially unveiled on Thursday its first localized site in Southeast Asia.

New ad formats, such as skippable ads, are being developed to give users choices and give content providers more ways to reach millions and millions of audiences worldwide, according to Joanna Catalano, head of Media Solutions & YouTube, Google Southeast Asia, said at the launch that

Chad Sotelo, country marketing manager of P&G, said that companies have been rethinking the way they could engage consumers and would like to hear from them just as much as giving them information. Citing a funny YouTube video of a bear which gives users a choice on what sort of ending they want, Sotelo said that having a huge potential number of viewers would require interesting and interactive content.

“We have to tailor fit our message and we can’t just use our TV spots and upload it on YouTube. To reach millions of viewers who can easily watch someone else instead of us, we have to be more engaging,” Sotelo said.

Users can go to the localized site by choosing “The Philippines” as the location setting at the bottom of the YouTube home page.

YouTube Philippines offers a local interface to easily and quickly find videos most relevant to Filipinos as well as expanded content from local and global partners.

Google executives said the site would create a new online space for the Filipino community. YouTube Philippines also gives local creators and brands the opportunity to increase exposure not only nationwide but globally as well.

Official content from Filipino media companies ABS-CBN, GMA Network Inc., and TV5, which have partnered with YouTube, would be available at the localized site, officials said at a press conference in Taguig City.

VIVA Records, PinoyTuner, Vicor Records, Star Records, and Oak3 and other partners are also establishing a strong presence on YouTube, according to Google executives.

“Content consumption will be ubiquitous, whatever device is used. On the content side, there will be a lot more niche markets and specific genres available because there will be more access (to such content).

You can have, say, a vegan channel there, which normally would not have a following on traditional media,” Gautam Anand, director of Content Partnerships for Asia Pacific, said at the launch.

Revenue is generated when advertisements are displayed against YouTube partner’s videos.

In the past, Philippines-based creators could enjoy millions of views worldwide and yet could not earn from possible advertising placements, even if they wanted to.

With YouTube Philippines, original content creators in the Philippines can sing all the way to the bank.

The launch of the localized site had Google establishing a sales team for the Philippine market, executives said. This team would deal with content creators through the YouTube Partner Program  (www.youtube.com/creators/partner.html).

The program web site encourages potential content partners to reach billions of viewers around the world, “make a living on YouTube through our numerous targeted advertising revenue solutions,” use YouTube’s analytical tools and funding opportunities to produce even better content, and get creative control by securely managing copyrighted content.

What’s the catch? Potential YouTube partners must create original videos suitable for online streaming, regularly upload content, and give express permission to use and monetize all audio and video content uploaded “no exceptions.” Content providers may also publish popular or commercially successful videos in other ways such as through DVDs and other products sold online.

Filipino musicians and composers represented by the collecting society, Filipino Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (FILSCAP), are already partners of YouTube. FILSCAP general manager Debbie Gaite announced on Thursday a licensing agreement that would allow FILSCAP members to be paid if their music was accessed on YouTube.

YouTube also partnered with PinoyTuner, an online site for local musicians, to promote music videos, live performances, and even behind-the-scenes footage.

Noting the huge number of Filipinos accessing YouTube, the Philippine government is pushing content as well.

Aside from having localized services, YouTube Philippines highlights the updated Presidential channels from President Benigno Aquino III at www.youtube.com/gov.ph and www.youtube.com/rtvmalacanang.

Through these channels, the government is leveraging this media channel to reach out to the online Filipino community in the Philippines and abroad.

President Aquino will also participate in YouTube’s World View live, interview series (www.youtube.com/worldview) where the questions come directly from citizens.

“Our government recognizes the significant impact of the Internet on the quality of life of 30 million Filipino users. The Presidential Channel provides a powerful, relevant way to demonstrate good governance and transparency – the cornerstone of this administration – and its contribution to poverty alleviation and sustainable economic growth,” said Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Secretary Ricky Carandang.