Arabnet Arabnet

Motakalem.com is an online easy to use video spokesperson service that allows users to create high quality video messages or ads narrated by one of Motakalem’s six presenters at a low cost, eliminating the need for specialized production companies.

Requesting a video is done online. Users specify the message, the choice of presenter and other details. The video is then delivered within 10 days. After delivery, the clients end up owning the video, which means that they have complete freedom to edit and use it wherever they like.

Motakalem presents two services: One, a web ready format with a transparent background that can be overlaid over web pages, and two, a high quality version that can be super imposed on any medium. You can find out more on how to request a video here.

Motakalem’s target market consists mainly of website owners and design firms looking to welcome visitors or explain certain features or services; marketing and advertising executives who want to enrich their campaigns; and college students that would want to better illustrate their presentations.

Prices range from 199 to 440 USDs for packages that range from 15 to 60 seconds. Bigger packages can be divided into smaller segments, which make it cheaper for people looking to produce multiple short clips. “Prices are reasonable, especially if you consider the costs of producing the videos which include maintaining the website, technical support, all the way to the equipment we use, shooting, directing, and the presenters’ payroll,” explains W.Z., Marketing and Sales Manager and Cofounder of Motakalem.

The website currently offers a selection of six presenters from KSA, Syria, Jordan and Egypt, with narration available in both English and Arabic. The available choices, while maybe not necessarily intentional, seem to be focused solely on the Gulf countries. Both the dialects and looks of the presenters do not reflect North African clients and consumers, let alone any other country beyond the Middle East for that matter. “We have plans to add more presenters in the future from a more diverse background,” comments W.Z.

The videos are supported by all browsers. The website also offers other services, which include adding the video to your website, animated backgrounds and sound effects, and writing the script, all for an additional fee. You can preview the video spokesperson service using the test embedding code located on the left of the main page towards the bottom.

“Our plans for the future include adding more services in order to provide ready to use products and services to the Arab users, including educational and guidance programs, application interface explanation videos, in addition to integrating the service with Facebook apps,” concludes W.Z.

You can request a spokesperson video here, or you can join Motakalem on Facebook here.

Upon his request, W.Z.’s identity has been kept anonymous, with no explanation from their end.