Animoto, the startup that allows you to take your images, video and your music and mash them together to create cool videos, is launching a holiday themed platform that lets you send fun and personal online greeting cards this year and provides nifty themed templates for users to work from.
Animoto launched a similar initiative last year, but this year comes with more festive and innovative themes and options to bring cards to life, including pop-up cards, a Starry Night montage and a Pandora’s Gift Box that will erupts into a shower of lights, colors, and wrapping.
To create an Animoto holiday greeting, users simply upload their images and video clips, add optional text, and pick a soundtrack, upon which Animoto returns a unique, energetic and emotional video montage. The startup’s proprietary technology allows users to easily implement production techniques for video slideshows that are used in television and film, taking into account the images and every nuance of the song. Once created, videos are produced in widescreen format and can be emailed, embedded on any website, shared via social network and mobile device, or downloaded in DVD-quality formats for display on computers, televisions, and even large projection screens.
The 30-second holiday cards are are free to create and share, while full-length videos cost $3. And you can purchase an annual subscription to create an unlimited number of full-length videos are $30.
We’re big fans of Animoto, and we’re not the only ones. Launched in 2007, the startup just raised $4.4 million in Series B funding and is cash-flow positive. With over 750,000 users, Animoto is venturing into mobile, launching an iPhone app and just released a new video product that’s already a hit.