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Introducing Vimeow

Dae Mellencamp
April 1, 2013 by Dae Mellencamp Alum

Today is a very exciting day. For the last half-dozen years, we have been working to develop a new kind of online experience: one that combines the digital freedom of the web with the analog pleasure of luxuriating in a patch of sunlight on your living room floor. We’ve been building an innovative platform — one that you can sit on and survey your domain; tenderly rub up against; or scratch fervently, as if trying to claw the eyes out of the human who refuses to put more food in your bowl. It’s a place to hide when people come over, and a way to connect with other feral, potentially rabid strays. It’s the home for your cat videos. It’s called Vimeow.

The company formerly known as Vimeo has not been one to pounce on Internet trends. The Hula Hoop, for example — not for us. But it cannot be denied that cat videos, with their unforgettable characters and riveting plot lines, are here to stay. If you recall, the world’s first cat video was actually not a video at all — it was a cave painting of a bold Paleozoic tabby confronting an angry mastodon. The tabby stares at the mastodon in resolute boredom, as if the mastodon couldn’t just stab it to death with one of its gigantic tusk things. It’s that kind of creative confidence that we hope Vimeow will instill in our creators.

With that in mind, we are unveiling the first look at our new felis catus-centric service. Here are just some of the thrilling features:

Room for all your cat videos
Think of Vimeow as a small, cramped house with a lot of stuff in it, and a weird smell, and there are already a bunch of cats living there, but you can keep taking in more and more cats, because, well, they each have their own unique personality and, to be totally honest, you're kind of lonely.

Following is now called Patiently Stalking
Keep a close eye on your favorite cat video creators and wait for the perfect moment to start watching.

The Forum is now called The Litterbox
All the functionality you’ve come to love, with better absorbency and a more neutral odor. Dig in!

Add aloofness to any video
Make it more like your favorite indifferent feline.

Your mouse is now an actual mouse
Chase it around your computer screen or let it live another day — it’s up to you!

And that’s just the beginning. Soon, we’ll introduce Tummyrub, which enables you to show your appreciation for any cat video. And stay tuned for Vimeow Purrks, a virtual e-program that gives you all the benefits of actual cat ownership, including the ability to freak out when you can’t find someone to come over and check on your precious Chairman Meow when you go away for the weekend. It’s not like they have to feed or even pet him — just make sure he didn’t get into the microwave again!!!

We hope you enjoy Vimeow.

LOVE,

Dae Mellencat
Pawsident

Dae Mellencamp
Dae Mellencamp Alum
+ See all of Dae’s posts

More from Vimeo HQ

179 Comments

Kenahn Ghazal

Kenahn Ghazal

Are we required to have cat talent sign release forms?

Jonathan Mills

Jonathan Mills

I'll be shortly uploading my latest cat epic. First though I need to check out all those church-seating vids on PewTube...

ReDo

ReDo Plus

It's a great day on which to start such a project... at the beginning of a month, I mean. ;-) Of course I will take part - but can't write any more now... Have to feed Felidae, Felina, Felix, Findus, Finn, Fips, Fireball, Flöckchen, Florida, Freddy, and Fussel.

Have a nice Easter Meownday, friends!

Sid B.

Sid B.

This is fantastic! Although I do wish I can see actual videos in my discover tab.

rachel Webb

rachel Webb

Be cool and play nice? Don't you mean be a fool and catch mice? April.... what day?

Kevin

Kevin Plus

You can never have too many cat videos. I heard they're a big deal now.

Alex Dao

Alex Dao Staff

This is pretty serious, but we're glad you like it!

Kino Berlino

Kino Berlino

If I type vimeow.com in my browser, I am redirected to a wordpress blog.
vimeow.wordpress.com/
The wet cat video there is from youtube and has almost 48m clicks!
So this will be an April 1st -joke thing! Like cats, some of us need more attention!

But it might be a cool way to amp your vimeo followers count!
Have fun with these pets (cats and dogs): vimeo.com/11160575

Graeme-xxy

Graeme-xxy Plus

I've been waiting patiently for the April Fools day prank, I think this is it. I decided to wear my 'cat hat' a few days ago just as a reminder, which seems even more appropriate now.

Didn't spoil anything did I? :)

Chris Diken

Chris Diken Staff

You may find yourself with a case of the friskies as the day goes on.

Giorgio Tonella

Giorgio Tonella

The new Vimeow looks really great!!!

MIAO! (what Italian cats say!)
Have you thought about translating "Vimeow" into more languages???
:)

Blanche

Blanche

You guys must have red my profile - Vimeow is the best! ;-)

DAWSUN

DAWSUN Plus

Am I the only one who is allergic to cat's...I like new your ideas....please don't change your name...I do not agree with cat fetishes...or any fetish...outside of masturbation....whoops...sorry, I just make horrible videos for my dog....we like cat's...just everyone I know is allergic to cat's & I'm sorry that is there probably a problem...damn suicide notes, the pen never works...sorry get back to that & have some fun....well fill me in...kind of idiot over up in there....please don't watch my videos...sucker comments

Bill Stratford

Bill Stratford

loving the April fools Vimeo er.......sorry Vimeow :)

Ripl

Ripl

Yet you STILL haven't reacted to my repeated requests to offer a way for cats to sign up themselves. I know a cat per instance who makes the most magnificent feel-good stop-motion shorts, and in fear of being exploited it won't let someone else manage it. Despite all these pretense efforts to finally give the cat a platform, one could still cut the ostracism in here with a claw.

Breyen Katz

Breyen Katz Plus

Meow meow... MEOW!!! meow meow "meow"! Meow meowwww: meow meow? Purrrrrrr....

Meow, meow meow!

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decor8

decor8 PRO

I have no idea what this post means! Very confused!

STUDiO13

STUDiO13

WTF??? I don't want to see it! I prefer old VIMEO whithot any cats!

Alex Dao

Alex Dao Staff

We realize this is a controversial decision, but we crunched the numbers and we're excited about our new purrrrpose.

STUDiO13

STUDiO13

Doubtful pleasure! How long it will last?

olivrstal

olivrstal

We all know it was unavoidable. The WWW is owned by cats. It was only a question of time.
Vimeo(w)

Amaris in Wonderland

Amaris in Wonderland

Glad to see that you chose today, of all days, to pounce on the opportunity.

Mark Bader

Mark Bader Plus

is it april 1st by any chance ... very funny ... i hate cats !!!!

Owen Milne Media

Owen Milne Media

This is actually the best idea yet, bring on the cats!!

Doug Thompson

Doug Thompson PRO

My wife and I have five cats. We don't own them. Dogs have owners. Cats have staff. After seeing this, it occurs to us that we have never features any of our felines in our videos. That is something that has to change, assuming of course that the cats who see us as staff approve. Great piece.

martin mc donnell

martin mc donnell

Is there some kind of Claws on how many vimeow hairballs we can (cough) up load ....

josh + vince

josh + vince Plus

Hey guys im having some trouble meow-loading my cattime videos i knead some help - thanks meow

ek2008

ek2008

It is not good to throw the cat. Doubt the sense of pickup

chepetusa

chepetusa

feliz día inocentes jajaja

Ryan Gannon

Ryan Gannon

Oh my god make this actually happen. (A separate site of course) A place for really artsy, high production value cat video :3

Michael Cohen

Michael Cohen

as most video professionals are already aware, the HD video format was created in order to better showcase cat breeds on Japanese television.

Miguel Chichorro

Miguel Chichorro Plus

Apple will follow you for sure with "Final Cat Pro X" - Video tools for true cat lovers.

Rogier Beckers

Rogier Beckers

This might come in handy since YouTube is closing so I need a new place for my cat videos:)

Andrew Martis

Andrew Martis

You've cat to be kitten me right meow! This is purrrrrr-fect!

Mamadou Papis Sylla

Mamadou Papis Sylla

I love cats but is this an April fool lol???? If so well done! lol I loged in early in the morning and saw cats and thought this was a spam site. So I went back to sleep till now and I'm really seeing cats *.*

Ian Thomas Ash

Ian Thomas Ash PRO

Meanwhile in Tokyo, thousands of school girls scream "KAWAII" and a new internet craze is born in Japan.

You guys rock!

Renars Vilnis

Renars Vilnis

I want an option to keep it liek that all the time :D

David G. Tran

David G. Tran

I love munching on some catnip and watching these meowtastic videos!!!!

BRINKwerks

BRINKwerks

{Hmph! Sourpuss Cody.} I think it's a purrfect change, glad you had the furballs to do it! Now storytellers can post their tails without the hissy fits. The announcement has me feline great, no longer boxed in by the litter of the old way. Magnificat!

BRINKwerks

BRINKwerks

Hope the fact that you rolled it out of AFD will ameowliorate the cynics.

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