Filed under: MISC
MYSPACE VS. FACEBOOK: SOCIAL NETWORKING DEATHMATCH
Given that Facebook is unveiling their new advertising strategy tomorrow (code name Pandemic) and MySpace just issued a press release today describing the launch of their “SelfServe” advertising platform, I felt like this video was more than timely. Based on the insanely popular Mac vs. PC ads, this video brings to light all of the more annoying features of both social networks. News feed this Tila Tequila. . .
And one more thing, Marauder has antagonized over how to gain entry to Facebook’s little ad shin dig (scheduled for tomorrow) for over a week now. If anyone has a way in, speak now for the LOVE. . .
Facebook is expected to unveil its new advertising strategy Tuesday, in a project code-named Pandemic. The social-networking site is said to be removing its “sponsored groups” and introducing pages that advertisers can buy, which may include interactive applications and vertical categories. (http://venturebeat.com/2007/11/02/breaking-more-on-facebooks-ads-and-potential-conflict-with-developers 11/2)
News Corp.’s MySpace will launch a SelfServe advertising platform allowing advertisers to upload their own ads, among other features. In addition, MySpace’s HyperTargeting platform will expand to let advertisers choose from more than 100 target categories. (http://www.smartmoney.com/bn/ON/index.cfm?story=ON-20071105-000188-0659 11/5)
Filed under: BROADCAST/CABLE
BROADCAST/CABLE
Time Warner Inc. Chief Executive Dick Parsons plans to officially step down as head of the world’s largest media company on Dec. 31, passing the title to Jeff Bewkes, Time Warner’s chief operating officer, as of Jan 1. Parsons plans to remain as chairman. (http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/newstex/AFX-0013-20746085.htm 11/5, http://www.reuters.com/article/mediaNews/idUSN0530107920071105 11/5)
Dick Parsons
Jeff Bewkes
In an effort to avoid a strike, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers (AMPTP) met again Sunday morning at 10a in a negotiation meeting called by a federal mediator. The meeting was prompted after the WGA announced at a press conference early Sunday that they will begin picketing today. However, those talks broke down and at this writing, the WGA has now been officially on strike for a little over four hours. Active picketing is scheduled to begin at 9am this morning at various LA locations, and at Rockefeller Plaza in NYC.
(http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/05/business/media/05cnd-strike.html?_r=2&hp&oref=slogin&oref=slogin 11/5)
As Hollywood television and film writers go on strike, more than 500 news employees represented by the Writers Guild of America under a separate agreement with CBS are considering their own job action. CBS TV and radio staffers plan to vote Nov. 15 on authorizing a strike. (http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/business/la-fi-newsstrike3nov03,1,2865664.story?ctrack=1&cset=true 11/3)
IAC/Interactive plans to spin off HSN, Ticketmaster and other properties. Barry Diller, who has been “frustrated” by having to explain the synergies of the various businesses, will remain chairman and CEO of IAC, which will house Ask.com, Match.com and other Web assets. (http://www.cnbc.com/id/21635976/site/14081545 11/5)
Viacom’s cable networks saw earnings rise 2%, to $796.8 million, in the third quarter as the diversified media company reported that overall revenue rose 24%, to $3.27 billion, during the period. Viacom’s filmed-entertainment division also impressed analysts, thanks to revenue generated by box-office and DVD star “Transformers.” (The Arizona Republic (Phoenix)/Associated Press 11/2)
Time Warner, News Corp. and Disney will report their latest quarterly results this week. All three are expected to announce growth in their cable television assets. But Disney, parent of the scripted-programming-heavy ABC, could be hit hard by the Hollywood writers’ strike. (http://mediabiz.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/11/02/big-week-ahead-for-the-giants-of-media 11/2)
Showtime renewed the comedy Weeds for a fourth season with 13 new half-hour episodes. Production will begin in April for a summer premiere.
Filed under: ONLINE SERVICES/INTERACTIVE MEDIA
ONLINE SERVICES/INTERACTIVE MEDIA
Harpo Productions launched an Oprah channel on YouTube featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes and backstage footage. YouTube founders Chad Hurley and Steve Chen will make appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show tomorrow to help promote the launch, along with a selection of YouTube amateur “stars.” Oprah will also serve as guest editor for the site over the next couple of days; look for some of her favorite video picks on the YouTube homepage. (http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=202801677 11/2)
ESPN is bringing its content to the mostly young male audience of Microsoft’s Xbox Live. Users will be able to download the network’s sporting events and programming. As part of the deal, ESPN is considering ways to incorporate the Xbox gaming community into its telecasts. (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117975355.html?categoryid=1011&cs=1 11/4)
AOL and CBS are putting HD online video on the backburner, according to the NewTeeVee blog. AOL’s two-year-old Hi-Q site will be phased out due to lack of user interest, and CBS is discontinuing plans to launch an HD-compatible player due to compatibility issues and the fact that users are reluctant to download a separate application in order to watch online video.
AOL plans to pay $300 million for Israeli advertising startup Quigo in a move to compete better with Google and Yahoo. Quigo’s AdSonar is similar to Google’s AdSense, placing links on search results, while its FeedPoint product serves up ads on search results or Internet sites. (http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/919607.html 11/5)
Heroes star Masi Oka will serve as global ambassador for the non-profit One Laptop Per Child initiative, which has set out to design, manufacture and distribute laptops to developing countries for under $100 each. The Brown University Math/Computer Science grad is a dual threat in the digital space, known not only as an actor but also as a SFX guru with George Lucas’ Industrial Light & Magic.
Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner plans to create a movie, television, Internet and publishing franchise around Bazooka Joe, the eye-patch-wearing character from Bazooka bubble gum, part of the Topps trading-card company he just acquired. Bazooka Joe “could be the next big hero.” (http://www.usatoday.com/money/media/2007-11-04-topps-eisner_N.htm 11/4)
Yahoo is set to launch Kickstart, an online social network for college students, alumni and recruiters, aimed at helping recent graduates build a professional network. The LinkedIn-like Kickstart won’t compete with Facebook because it will be focused on careers, “not on fun.” (http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9810108-7.html 11/4)
OH LORD. Say no to any more social networking sites. I’ve got some major profile fatigue. We’ve got LinkedIn for professional networking, Facebook for poking and other weird randomness, MySpace for checking out music and joining strange groups, and Friendster for. . .well, does anyone remember Friendster any way? In essence, you wanna join the fray of social networking sites? You better make something with a distinct strategy. I couldn’t even get past the screen to enter my college name without encountering an error. Weak.
Microsoft and Reliance Communications, India’s second-largest mobile-phone operator, are entering a $500 million deal to offer Internet television services in India. The contract allows Reliance to expand beyond mobile services, tapping the expanding global Internet TV market. (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601204&sid=aqjd3GBEnXtw 11/5)
Guardian Enterprises Group is launching a multicast digital broadcast network called the .2 (”dot two”) Network with licensed programming from Sony Pictures Television and other studios. The “Network-in-a-Box” solution will provide interested stations with a template on which to add local news, traffic and weather programming to help fill out multiple digital multicast channels.
Video search engine blinkx added online anime site Gong to its video index. Gong offers US and European users a variety of Japanese anime genres viewable online or on mobile phones and MP3 devices, including full-length titles, trailers, wallpapers, news, alerts and free podcasts.
The net neutrality debate will intensify as consumers turn to IPTV services for their video content and cable companies reserve more bandwidth for networked-based programming offerings such as the nPVR (network Personal Video Recorders), Start-Over, and time-shifting, according to a new ABI Research report. Any expansion of the bandwidth dedicated to broadband will be that much less bandwidth used for revenue-generating video services setting the stage for a battle of warring interests, according to ABI.
The Web sites for the popular television shows “Dancing with the Stars,” on ABC, and “Deal or No Deal,” on NBC, consistently receive a large share of visitors, according to Hitwise. The runners up: NBC’s “Heroes,” CBS’s “CSI: NY,” and NBC’s “The Office.” (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/04/business/media/04count.html 11/4)
Filed under: WIRELESS
WIRELESS
Google announced today an ambitious alliance with 33 handset makers, wireless carriers and other technology companies to create low-cost mobile phones based on “open” technology standards. (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119427874851482602.html?mod=US-Business-News 11/5)
Google calls this new cell phone technology Android. At first, I scoffed at yet another code name. Then I learned that Google had acquired a mobile company in 2005 named Android and felt a bit better about the dubbing. Check out the video below for an introduction to the open mobile standard that is Android.
Motorola’s MotoRokr T505 speakerphone combines Bluetooth technology with an FM transmitter, allowing drivers to keep their eyes on the road while navigating calls and music stations. The battery-operated device clips onto an overhead visor and also features a StationFinder feature that tunes into the best possible radio signal for transmitting audio. (The Boston Globe 11/5)
Filed under: TECHNOLOGY
TECHNOLOGY
Microsoft will launch a rebranding push this month for its digital multimedia device Zune, via print, TV, interactive and out-of-home ads by McCann Worldgroup’s Tag, San Francisco. “It’s not about the device, but the relationship that people have with their device,” said Jack Oh, Zune senior advertising manager. “I could scroll through your Zune and have an idea of who you are as person.” (Adweek 11/2)
Second generation Zune players are set to launch next Tuesday; hence, new marketing. LOVE this ad. Almost makes me want to seek out a Zune of my own. . .but then I remember that I’m inundated with an Apple iPod and iPhone. Now that everyone brandishes an iPod as their mp3 player of choice, do we think that the market will at some point experience iPod fatigue? Everyone has one. . .perhaps, I want something different to remain unique.
Zune’s New TV Commercial
