Filed under: ONLINE SERVICES/INTERACTIVE MEDIA
ONLINE SERVICES/INTERACTIVE MEDIA
Creative Artists Agency is raising $150-$200 million in capital to invest in digital entertainment start-ups. The mega agency will work with Draper Fisher Jurvetson and its founder Tim Draper to identify likely candidates. (http://www.paidcontent.org/entry/419-caa-raising-200-million-venture-fund-icm-talking-to-qualcomm-among-othe 12/3)
Apple’s iTunes needs NBC more than the network needs iTunes, says a report by Forrester Research. What good is equipping iPods with video screens if there isn’t any video to watch? NBC, which is yanking shows such as “The Office” and “Heroes” from iTunes, is the “clear winner.” (http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9828867-7.html 12/4)
Considering that NBC accounted for 40% of iTunes downloads, I would agree that Apple is the clear loser here. Content is still king. That said, keep in mind that people generally still use their iPods to listen to music in comparison to watching video of any kind. Apple’s business model has been and remains to use content to propel sales of its hardware. If users are still more interested in listening to music on their iPod rather than watching video, content should continue to push sales. Here’s the question: what is the point at which Apple will start to lose sales of its hardware because the content selection has become compromised?
Nielsen is rolling out a new service that aims to ensure that video is distributed and viewed on the Web only in ways sanctioned by its owners. It is hoping to offer the service to media companies and content owners, as well as to social networks and user-generated-content sites. (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119682485235814094.html 12/5)
Google, Yahoo and Ask are releasing their lists of top search terms for 2007. Among the top-ranking entries: YouTube, MySpace, Facebook, Wikipedia, iPhone, iTunes, TMZ. “There’s a huge surge in interest in social networking,” observes Google search chief Marissa Mayer. Google’s list of fastest-rising search terms in the United States this year is as follows: 1) iPhone; 2) Webkinz; 3) TMZ; 4) Transformers; 5) YouTube; 6) Club Penguin; 7) MySpace; 8) Heroes; 9) Facebook; 10) Anna Nicole Smith. (http://www.informationweek.com/research/showArticle.jhtml;?articleID=204700646 12/4)
Google continues to push into traditional media, but its efforts to bring digital, auction-based buying and selling to television and print are still several years from impacting the company’s revenue, says advertising head Tim Armstrong. Offline media “has been a real test for us.” (http://www.adweek.com/aw/national/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=100368088412/4)
Liberty Media chief John Malone is said to be interested in Ticketmaster, which last year sold $7.1 billion worth of seats to events. Ticketmaster is one of several assets that IAC/InterActiveCorp. boss Barry Diller may be forced to sell to complete the IAC breakup announced on Nov. 5. (http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/dec2007/tc2007124_904201.htm12/4)
Yahoo is said to be developing a live finance video show, called TechTicker, to launch in January. The goal is to attract the CNBC crowd — people who want to be immersed in finance news all day. The hosts include Henry Blodget of Silicon Alley Insider and Sarah Lacy of BusinessWeek. (http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/04/yahoo-techticker-to-go-after-cnbc-crowd/12/4)
Bravo is developing a reality pilot from Reland Productions around Outzone.com and YouTube personality William Sledd (“ Ask a Gay Man.”) Sledd will submit weekly catty video blogs laced with fashion advice and pop cultural observances, as he contemplates making the leap from his hometown of Paducah, KY to the Big Apple.
Every Christmas, I fly to the heartland to visit the grandparents in KY. I have 12 years of experience when I comment as lovingly as possible, there are SEVERAL fashion victims in Paducah. Exhibit A: When visiting a Wal-Mart, I lost my sister-in-law in the camouflage section. Exhibit B: Flannel. Kurt Cobain is no longer with us but Paducah still rocks the flannel just about every place possible. That said, I can’t hate. KY has given me Maker’s Mark and for that I am eternally grateful.
William Sledd is hysterical and a perfect fit for the Bravo target demo. But girl, that haircut has GOT to go.
Wetv.com is launching Hair Drama, an original web series based on We tv’s reality series about Ellin LaVar, hairdresser to the stars which starts its second season on Sunday. The webisodes, produced by Red Moxie, will offer exclusive footage offering further background on Ellin and her staff.
Adobe released its final Flash Player 9 update adding HD video support for playback on the web. NBCU/News Corp. joint venture Hulu.com has released a “gallery” selection of movie trailers and clips showing off the format.
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