Photobucket is the number one photo sharing site in the U.S., allowing users to share photos, videos, and albums for free via email, mobile devices, and social media. Founded in 2003, it has grown to over 99 million users, most of whom are 15-40 years old. Photobucket offers features like photo organization, editing tools, and integration with social networks to make sharing easy. While primarily used by individuals, organizations and businesses also utilize Photobucket to promote themselves, fundraise, and engage with online audiences.

1. Photobucket

2. What? Number one photo site in the U.S. Share photos, videos, and albums for free via email, mobile devices, and social sites Can post for the public or can select specific people to share with Browse other users’ uploads

3. Features Organization with tags and titles Can upload from a computer, email, web URL, or cell phone Hundreds of design themes, stickers, and special effects Slide shows and scrapbooks Online print store

4. History 2003 Founded by Alex Welch & Darren Crystal Acquired by Fox Interactive Media 2007 Dec. 2009 Merged with Ontela Inc. to become Photobucket Corporation * Ontela Inc: a leading provider of imaging services to wireless carriers

5. Users (99 million) Majority: 15-40 years old Keep others up to date on life Stay in contact with distant friends/family Easily organize photos/videos and ensure safely kept Minority: older individuals (50 and up) Technology challenge Stick to what’s comfortable Value physical album can be passed through generations Believe internet alters photos/videos meaning and importance

6. Users Organizations in general can utilize Photobucket to… Determine how many times each photo or video has been viewed Find out the website where the view came from Analyze the performance of certain web pages and how many visitors a photo has attracted Advertise (the site itself)

7. Corporations Host a contest to reach new people and increase visibility Draw attention to corporation Receive feedback from community Select material to post  Select how they want to be perceived Join other relevant groups and post under their photos Reach unlimited people who use Internet daily Reminds people of corporation or makes them aware of its existence

8. Non-Profits Raise funds by first communicating organization’s story/cause Demonstrate the progress its made towards its mission Launch inexpensive campaign Increase awareness and reach new audiences/volunteers Ask supporters to donate $ to post own pictures Comments on photos = noticeability = more $

9. Educational Institutions Inexpensive videos to post on website for prospective students and parents Student run organizations can create a video or post images so others can learn about what else the university offers Professors can discuss benefits of school Informational videos vs. reading pages of material Proves ability to connect well with students

10. Obstacles Past: Turkish Hackers in June 2008 Security Hole in July 2008 Future: Copyright material Selling artists/photographers work via print store without permission Take down system

11. Improvements Overwhelming ads on homepage Social networking capabilities Can only comment when album is marked as favorite No direct comments can be left whether you have an account or not Regardless Photobucket is still very… Straightforward Has great customization tools Easy to share pictures/videos Versatile can display pictures on favorite sites like Facebook/Ebay