Reuters adds animation to its news package

Its partner is Next Media Animation, founded in Taipei in 2008 and now employing 500 animators. Reuters said the studio has gained widespread acclaim for its “short and quirky animated videos, many of which have gone viral and have received millions of views”. Reuters will distribute NMA’s 3D animated news videos in all markets except Japan and Taiwan.

News Direct animated videos offer visual chronologies of major events that take place away from cameras, such as the sinking of the Costa Concordia cruise liner in January. The animations also provide clear illustration of news that is highly technical, such as the Elgin North Sea gas leak, and help explain stories that are conceptual in nature, such as the future of high speed travel. Each one runs for 30 to 60 seconds and is accompanied by audio narration and natural sound.

“Our partnership with Next Media Animation has allowed us to create and shape a video solution that enables broadcast and online publishers to illustrate every angle of a story, adding depth to our reporting when video from the scene is not available,” said Owen Wyatt, Reuters’ head of video. “This service will enable our customers to streamline their workflows, add colour to in-house graphics and access compelling and timely animations to support their programming." ■