Archive for March, 2008

Disruptive Technology Combinations

Posted in internet marketing, video 2.0 on March 23rd, 2008 by Matthew – Be the first to comment

Dan Tynam of PC World online recently wrote an article describing The 10 Most Disruptive Technology Combinations. He describes “10 marriages of technologies that have shaken the digital world over the last 25 years.” At the end of the article he lists 5 things he’d like to see disrupted. There, in the list at #3 is:

Rich Media Ads on the Web: If we wanted to watch commercials, we’d be sitting on the couch in front of Oprah. Stop with the swirling, scrolling, popping, video ads; they’re not working.

Of course, he’s talking about the ubiquitous pre-roll. The take-over or overlay ad that flies in and demands you watch it or hunt and peck for the tiny little “close” button to get rid of it. At PermissionTV, we’re working on ways to disrupt that technology – to take it to the next level. Instead of locking the user into a passive experience they don’t want in the first place, we’re imagining a Rich Internet Video Advertising experience that allows people to get an engaging experience that’s actually relevant to them.

I’ve blogged about our concept of Video 2.0 before. I guess I really do enjoying working for a company that is striving to change the way people experience the web. We’re not interested in the status-quo and that’s alright by me. I guess it’s alright to the folks at PC World too.

A Groundbreaking Performance on the Web

Posted in video 2.0 on March 6th, 2008 by Matthew – Be the first to comment

Last Wednesday, the New York Philharmonic Orchestra performed in Pyongyang, North Korea. Daniel Wakin of The New York Times reported:

It was the first time an American cultural organization had appeared here, and the largest contingent of United States citizens to appear since the Korean War. The trip has been suffused with political importance since North Korea’s invitation came to light last year. It was seen by some as an opening for warmer relations with the United States, which North Korea has long reviled.      

Immediately after this historic event, the New York Philharmonic had the video footagesent to my company, PermissionTV, for post-production editing and transcoding for playback on the New York Philharmonic’s web player - also built by PermissionTV. The concert was covered at length by traditional news sources such as ABC World News, CBS, and Fox. Fans of the Philharmonic were also interested in the event, as shown by some of their blog posts here and here.

It’s exciting to think that I had a very small part to play in such a groundbreaking world event. The folks at PermissionTV who designed and developed the video player did an amazing job. For a guy who never would watch a Philharmonic event online or off, I can’t take my eyes off it. As the internet moves more and more toward the Video 2.0 era, I’m looking forward to working with more varied clients, like the New York Philharmonic, that bring rich video experiences online for all to enjoy.

 Pyongyang Concert

I love microblogging, even if it is a fad.

Posted in internet marketing on March 1st, 2008 by Matthew – Be the first to comment
The microblogging fad is upon us. It doesn’t take a genius or an industry expert to realize that yes, this is a fad, and that yes, it is important to understand how microblogging fits into your overall internet marketing strategy. Ok, so I’ve thrown down the gauntlet and microbloggers everywhere are ready to extoll the virtues of their platform and how this will revolutionize how we communication. I’ve worked in the internet for 10 years. I’ve seen revolutions come and go.
 
Nevertheless, it is pretty neat. For those who don’t know, microblogging is a combination of blogging and instant messenging, with 2 parts blog and 1 part instant messenger. You submit short, 1 line statements to your microblog from your computer or phone. Others subscribe to your microblog’s RSS feed or are sent updates immediately through Instant Messenger. Uses? Tons. Real time reporting of industry events or conferences. Status reports to your coworkers and teammates. And of course – there is the ever present wish and desire of egomaniacs everywhere who, like me, sincerely believe that there is a horde of people out their just dying to know our every thought, wise, and opinion.
 
For now, I’m using 2 microblogging services - Twitter and Pownce. Twitter is the big dog and #1 player in the space. Pownce is a newer upstart that has fewer subscribers but, I believe, better features. Recently, Pownce anounced a brand new open API to match Twitter’s existing API.  Why do I need 2 microblogs in addition to my traditional blog? Glad you asked. I use my traditional blog to continue to discuss Internet Marketing at a more detailed level. I use Twitter to share quick thoughts on work and sometimes my personal life to friends and co-workers. I use Pownce to exclusively discuss my tastes in music and upcoming concerts I’m interested in going to. This way, the audiences that may be interested to hear from me, can subscribe to the feed that best matches the subject matter they want to hear my opinions on.
 
Ain’t web life grand?