Online video invasion --
copiously monitored

Metrics leader Nielsen has announced plans to track how users watch — and possibly spread — video across all platforms, including "enhanced" TV, online and mobile, MediaPost reports.

The offering is the natural result of an existing relationship between Nielsen and copyright production firm Digimarc, with which it has worked since 2007. Digimarc possesses patents that let content developers digitally watermark their material so its use can be detected across any platform.

According to Nielsen, the pair will introduce a suite of joint ventures that monitor video consumption regardless of where the content is being consumed.

"By combining Nielsen's first-class market intelligence - particularly our analysis of video consumption across TV, Internet and mobile - with Digimarc's rich patent portfolio, we are uniquely positioned to drive exciting new ways to engage consumers through digital entertainment and transactions," said Global Product Leadership Organization head Itzhak Fisher of Nielsen.

Further details of the venture were left undisclosed, but the firms said the offerings will enable them to facilitate video "commerce" and "transactions."

This week, YouTube joined the Facebook Connect family, which among other things will precipitate more consumption of amateur online video across video game consoles, TV and handhelds.