AUSTIN — The time is now for marketers to start taking advantage of advertising in user-generated videos given the sheer number of videos consumers are watching, says Jeff Hinz, Managing Partner and U.S. Digital Director at MediaCom, during a panel session at SXSW in a private session about digital video organized and hosted by Videology.

“There are 30 billion monthly impressions for content, and four billion in full-episode players,” he says, adding that marketers should pay more attention to those 30 billion views because they represent consumer interest. “That is where the next opportunity should be and where the discussions should be had with clients because that’s where the consumers are.”

Privates marketplaces are growing, but clients are still for the most part looking at videos as brand awareness, he adds. Hinz also talked about the role of the New Fronts in driving digital video advertising spend prior to the TV upfront. He points to Netflix’s strategy with House of Cards as a good example of where the market is headed based on consumer demand.

Beet.TV’s coverage of this event at SXSW is sponsored by Videology.

-Daisy Whitney