Let's come together!

July 4, 2007 2:30 PM

EU Tube: sharing the sigh(t)s and soundsmoans of Europe.Human rights around the world? 700 views. A smoke-free Europe? 2300 views. 44 seconds of sex scenes from award-winning, popular European movies? 1,900,000 views. The European Commission just launched its own YouTube channel, using the oldest marketing trick ever, all for 350 Euros per clip (link includes the list of films), even though the usual suspects aren't happy.
posted by elgilito (15 comments total)

Another Guardian reader? I almost posted this.
posted by mdonley at 3:23 PM on July 4, 2007

Excellent marketing, I think.

It's not like the video is pornographic. It's just silly. It hits the right note though.

The rate of views will drop off quickly once the novelty wears off, but they'll probably have raked in a few consistent customers as a result.
posted by Alex404 at 3:29 PM on July 4, 2007

Correction: 1,900,001 views.
posted by LordSludge at 3:31 PM on July 4, 2007

Something like half of that whole clip was lifted directly from Amélie. Lazy.
posted by Western Infidels at 4:08 PM on July 4, 2007

Most of that seemed to have been from one single movie, Amelie, which is more of a pantomime romantic comedy than anything truly erotic.

The could have done much better. After all, doesn't everybody know that European movies = plenty of bare flesh & sex scenes?
posted by UbuRoivas at 4:08 PM on July 4, 2007

A fatwa upon you, Western Infidels!
posted by UbuRoivas at 4:09 PM on July 4, 2007

First time "EU" and "sexy" have gone together. Fun.
posted by athenian at 4:46 PM on July 4, 2007

The European Commission just launched its own YouTube channel.

OK, I give up--what's the punchline?
posted by DU at 5:15 PM on July 4, 2007

I blame the French.
posted by Sailormom at 6:29 PM on July 4, 2007

I for one find the EU with it's almost irreducibly complex network of bureaucracy to be endlessly arousing. My favourite website, eu-goes-wild.eu is well worth the 120 euros a month.
posted by oxford blue at 8:16 PM on July 4, 2007

most smokers i know HATE the smoking bans.
posted by brandz at 8:34 PM on July 4, 2007

Really, brandz? The recently-introduced England one has the support of a majority of smokers, according to most polls.

Perhaps you just know the bolshy ones.
posted by athenian at 12:23 AM on July 5, 2007

I went to see "Paris, je t'aime" on Tuesday. It was preceded by a MEDIA advertisement, although sadly it wasn't "Let's come together".

I wonder what Eurocrat came up with the name "EUtube".
posted by knapah at 6:34 AM on July 5, 2007

yes, athenian. most smokers i know like CHOICE, not control.
posted by brandz at 7:02 AM on July 5, 2007

Aw man, wrong EU.
posted by electroboy at 1:55 PM on July 5, 2007