Filed under: Feature | Tags: Drunken Facebook Photos, Etiquette, Facespace, Indecent Exposure in Facespace, Kevin Colvin, Social Networking
INDECENT EXPOSURE IN FACESPACE: TO TAG OR NOT TO TAG?
facebook fired
v. being fired for something you post on facebook
Damns, I just got facebook fired! http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=facebook+fired
Above are three sample photographs from the Facebook group, 30 Reasons Girls Should Call It A Night and the start to my bi-weekly exploration into the etiquette of social networking. As Facebook has evolved from a college-only environment to one filled with our professional colleagues, some rules should be exercised while surfing around social networking land.
Rule #1: DO NOT upload photos of your inebriated self from a party, especially if that party happens to be your office holiday party.
Rule #2: DO NOT tag your colleagues in compromising photos where they are inebriated at some party, especially if that party happens to be your office holiday party. Rule #2 is almost more important than rule #1.
As further reference to how this could potentially affect your professional life, meet Kevin Colvin.
Kevin Colvin was an intern at Anglo Irish Bank’s North American arm. “Was” is the key word. Colvin here sent an e-mail to his manager, Paul Davis, asking for a day off due to a “family emergency”.
In all actuality, Colvin attended a Halloween party in Worcester, MA where he dressed in the adorable fairy costume above. The photo was posted to Facebook and later discovered by one of his co-workers. The photo was sent to his manager who responded by attaching the photo to the following e-mail and BCCing the entire office:
You may be job-less KC but nice job on the glitter. What have we learned here? Be careful what you upload in Facespace.
Filed under: BROADCAST/CABLE
Hours after shareholders holding 60.27% of Dow Jones’s voting stock approved the $5.16 billion sale to News Corp., chief Rupert Murdoch addressed staffers and pledged to set a “higher bar.” Says Murdoch: “The Wall Street Journal will be a key frontispiece to everything we do.” (http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB119755500310926517.html12/14, http://blogs.reuters.com/mediafile/2007/12/13/murdoch-to-wsj-back-to-work/ 12/13)
Dow Approves Deal
Dow Jones shareholders approved the $60 a share sale of the company to Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. today. Kelsey Hubbard reports. (Dec. 13)
The assets of ReplayTV, the company that in the late 1990s challenged TiVo for supremacy in the then-nascent DVR market, have been purchased by DirecTV. ReplayTV nearly went out of business in 2002 after a series of lawsuits over the service’s ability to copy and share programming and skip commercials. (The Hollywood Reporter 12/14, Electronic House 12/13)
One of ReplayTV’s recent announcements was a USB add-on for HDTV viewing and recording on your PC.
Comcast is suing NFL Enterprises over a marketing campaign that encourages the cable giant’s subscribers to “make the switch” to satellite providers to watch the NFL Network. NFL Enterprises’ campaign constitutes a breach of contract, Comcast claims. (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601204&sid=ak7IQ.kVmstA 12/13)
Time Warner Cable President Glenn Britt has said that his company would be willing to offer the Dec. 29 NFL game between the New England Patriots and New York Giants, in which the Patriots could cap their undefeated season, as a digital “freeview.” But Britt, whose company does not carry the NFL Network, said the best way to make the game readily available to the widest audience would be for the league to strike a deal with a major broadcast network. (Broadcasting & Cable 12/13, Multichannel News 12/13)
The Writers Guild of America claims that the studios violated federal law by ending contract talks last Friday after the guild refused to meet their demand to take several proposals off the table. The guild’s move is likely to set up further tension between the two groups, say observers. (http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-strike14dec14,1,4973798.story12/14)
The Writers Guild of America is warning media companies that striking film and television writers and their audiences will migrate to the Internet in the event of a prolonged strike: “The ability to explore this business without media conglomerates is becoming a real possibility.” (http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8aec2a6a-a9e9-11dc-aa8b-0000779fd2ac.html?nclick_check=112/14)
News Corp. chief Rupert Murdoch, in an interview on his Fox News Channel, says that the U.S. economy is “probably” in for a recession and predicts that the writers strike is “not going to last long.” He adds that the Internet is unlikely to become the “holy grail” that union reps think it will be.(http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/business/news/e3ia105b0763cdad9fd2dd0e00cacb7fb4f 12/14)
Hundreds of freelance employees of MTV Networks received a partial reprieve from parent company Viacom yesterday as the company reversed some of the cuts to freelance benefits packages, according to The New York Times. The permanent freelance workforce will now be permitted to keep their current health care plans and were also given a two-month extension on the deadline to choose plans. Viacom said it would also consider making some of the freelance jobs into staff positions. Despite this reversal, about a hundred freelancers protested outside MTV Network’s Times Square headquarters for a third day, hoping the rest of their benefits package would be restored including paid time off, tuition reimbursement and company matching for 401(k) contributions. A Viacom spokeswoman indicated further changes to the proposed benefits package are unlikely, reports the NYT.
A new study released by SNL Kagan, “Video-On-Demand: A Strategic and Economic Analysis” estimates total VOD, PPV and NVOD revenue amassed by U.S. multichannel service providers will exceed $6 billion within five years. This study is including cable, satellite and telco video outlets with the bulk coming from adult and event PPV areas. The report also predicted that on-demand services will evolve from being value-added elements to being significant revenue streams. In addition, the study thinks VOD advertising has potential as a revenue generator and the market will eventually be analyzed on a cost per thousand basis.
Controlling shareholders of Discovery and Advance/Newhouse Communications have reached a deal to combine their shares to make Discovery Communications a publicly traded TV company. Details of the agreement are not yet final, but Advance/Newhouse will retain some of its veto rights over major decisions, according to CEO-Chairman Bob Miron. (The Wall Street Journal (free content) 12/14)
Going public will make it easier for Discovery — whose networks include Discovery Channel, TLC and Animal Planet — to expand.
Jeffrey Immelt, chairman and CEO of NBC Universal parent General Electric, says it’s the “wrong time to think about” selling NBC Universal, which includes cable nets such as Bravo and USA Network. Rumors have circled in the TV industry and on Wall Street that GE would put NBC Universal on the block after next year’s Summer Olympics in China. (Broadcasting & Cable 12/13)
Fox Business Network will debut a new series Monday titled “Opening Bell,” which will spotlight early-morning financial news and provide a look ahead at the day’s stock trading. The one-hour show will be anchored by Alexis Glick, the network’s vice president of business news. (Mediaweek 12/13)
BET’s “Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is” attracted 2.9 million people to its second-season finale Monday. The reality show, about the R&B singer’s professional and personal life, will have an encore run on BET tonight at 9. (Multichannel News 12/13)
Click the image below for full episodes from the second season.
Some of baseball’s biggest stars, including Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, were linked to the use of performance-enhancing drugs, in a report made public yesterday by former Sen. George Mitchell. Despite the allegations tainting the game’s image, experts say marketers aren’t likely to withdraw from relationships with Major League Baseball. However, players named in the report could face some difficulty in renewing contracts with their sponsors. (The Wall Street Journal (free content) 12/14)
Roger Clemens, who pitched for the Yankees last year.
Filed under: ONLINE SERVICES/INTERACTIVE MEDIA
ONLINE SERVICES/INTERACTIVE MEDIA
The next chapter of Paramount Pictures’ film franchise Jackass will go straight to digital. Paramount MTV New Media, Paramount Pictures Digital Entertainment and BLOCKBUSTER® announced yesterday that they are unleashing “JACKASS 2.5,” the first-ever, studio-backed feature streamed in its entirety online. JACKASS 2.5 will be made available for FREE at blockbuster.jackassworld.com beginning December 19th through December 31st, 2007. On December 26th, the unrated “JACKASS 2.5” DVD with bonus features and an extra 45 minutes of never-before-seen footage will be available for rent exclusively at participating BLOCKBUSTER stores and blockbuster.com. It will also be available for purchase at all major DVD retailers as well on jackassworld.com. Additionally, beginning December 26th consumers can download-to-own JACKASS 2.5 at movielink.com, iTunes, Amazon.com and other participating services. Beginning Jan 1st, 2008 the movie will also be available for download-to-rent exclusively at movielink.com. (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119750265810925103.html?mod=googlenews_wsj 12/13)
It’s hard to say how viewers will respond to watching a full theatrical release online but if there was one demo to do it, it would surely be the Jackass demographic. Viacom has in essence blown a hole through the current theatrical window by skipping theatrical release (which already occurs with straight-to-rental releases) and offering the movie online free for a short period to start. This could spell big problems for physical media or it could be just an interesting one-off.
Watch the Jackass 2.5 Trailer below.
Google is unveiling a rival to Wikipedia, the user-generated reference site. The new Google site, dubbed “Knol,” will invite “people who know a particular subject to write an authoritative article about it.” Unlike Wikipedia, authors will not be able to contribute anonymously or edit others’ work. (http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/technology/article3050784.ece12/14)
I dig. Like a paid wiki, authors will be able to generate revenue on their posts. Taken from Google’s blog post, “At the discretion of the author, a knol may include ads. If an author chooses to include ads, Google will provide the author with substantial revenue share from the proceeds of those ads.” Currently, knol is on an invite-only basis but when launched, should be an interesting site indeed. Wikipedia, be aware. Google is gunning for YOU next.
Click on the image below for a sample Knol post.
The buzz at AOL is whether investor Google will exercise its right to force Time Warner to take the Internet unit public, writes Henry Blodget. “Google’s IPO rights make an AOL IPO more likely. This, in turn, makes it more likely that Time Warner will just decide to break itself up.” (http://www.alleyinsider.com/2007/12/google-8k-dec-23-2005beginning.html12/13)
Tom Freston, when asked what he considers the biggest mistake of his career, doesn’t mention MySpace — even though his failure to acquire the social-networking site cost him his job running Viacom. Says Freston: “You don’t know a lot of times what’s gonna turn into some great hit.” (http://www.portfolio.com/views/blogs/mixed-media/2007/12/14/freston-on-axing-sometimes-you-need-a-kick12/14)
Showtime will offer an online video chat room with the producers and stars of hit series “Dexter” immediately after the show’s season finale Sunday night. The chat room, created by online video firm Meebo, will be similar to the one CBS and Meebo created for the “Jericho” series. (The Hollywood Reporter 12/14)
Flickr has provided an attractive place to show off your photos and get constructive feedback from the community. However, their advanced comment and tagging system leaves out the vast number of people that simply peruse the site. But today Flickr unlocked those stats for Pro users.(http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/13/flickr-adds-stats-to-photo-pro-accounts/ 12/13)
ON Networks and Austin’s South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Conference and Festival is now accepting submissions for The Greenlight Awards at www.thegreenlightawards.com to recognize the best original digital episodic series. The site can also be accessed through the SXSW or ON websites.
Childrens entertainment broadband site Kabillion launched a new mash up tool allowing kids to create animated videos from drawings and stories they submit to the site. For a fee of $40.00, LittleDirector.com will put together a 90-second short, complete with music and color animation and send it to the child’s home as a DVD or digital download.
Marauder-approved. For children, this is very cool. As the holidays are approaching, this would be something very fun to give a child. They can watch at home or send to their friends via digital download. When I read the story on Cynopsis, the price was $19.95. After further digging on Kabillion’s site, the price is $40. That seems a bit steep for 90 seconds of fun.
Websites for young kids always have to tread carefully when it comes to advertising. Kids virtual world Webkinz is finding out just how much care is necessary. The company, which sells stuffed animals that tie into a virtual world, is being targeted by parents demanding a return to its ad-fr*ee status, NYT reports. Turns out they thought paying an average $15 per stuffed pet equaled no ads online. (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/13/business/media/13adco.html?ex=1355202000&en=75d48811df9d7d8d&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss 12/13)
A growing number of consumers are logging on to social-networking sites to find information about product discounts and get feedback from friends before making holiday purchases, according to a study by the American Marketing Association, Chicago. (Brandweek 12/13)
CNN Digital Network reported 32.8 million unique users in November, outpacing Yahoo News and MSNBC.com, which had 30.9 million and 29.7 million, respectively. For CNN Digital, which had a major redesign in July, it was the biggest November audience in its 11-year history. (Broadcasting & Cable 12/13)
One VP after another is dropping off the senior management rolls at Yahoo. Next to go are Bharath Kadaba, VP of media engineering, and Rachel Glaser, a senior VP of operations finance. “Too many chiefs and not enough Indians,” says one person close to the Internet giant. (http://kara.allthingsd.com/20071214/the-attack-on-the-yahoo-vice-presidents-more-exec-departures/ 12/14)
E.W. Scripps, which is preparing to split into two publicly traded companies in mid-2008, is naming the top officers and directors for the two companies. Kenneth Lowe will be named CEO of Scripps Network Interactive; William Burleigh will continue to serve as E.W. Scripps chairman. (http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2007/12/10/daily51.html 12/13)
Filed under: WIRELESS
Sprint will be the first U.S. wireless carrier to provide free access to the MySpace mobile Web site when it launches early next year. Data subscribers will have one-click access to other Fox Interactive Media content, including FOXSports.com, IGN and local MyFOX affiliates.(http://www.internetnews.com/ec-news/article.php/3716511 12/13)
Advertising on mobile devices may remain in an incubation phase until consumers fully embrace next-generation mobile technology and wireless carriers gain confidence that advertising won’t scare off customers. Despite the hazy short-term forecasts, investment capital has been flooding into mobile ad startup companies, and new touch-screen devices like the Apple iPhone make it easier for consumers to click on ads. (BusinessWeek 12/13)
Filed under: GAMING
Online gamers have long used the term “w00t” to exclaim their joy over a recent triumph. The word was recently voted as the word of the year in a Merriam-Webster poll, although it will not be officially added to the dictionary until its popularity proves its longevity. (BBC 12/13)
Filed under: TECHNOLOGY
Computer-accessory firm Addonics has released a combo external drive touting HD DVD and Blu-ray playback functions. The add-on drive also handles playback and recording for CDs and DVDs. (EngadgetHD 12/14)
It’s not much to look at but cool none the less.
Sony’s latest offering in its high-end XBR LCD line, the KDL-46XBR4, includes all of the customer-friendly features that have helped to make Sony a major competitor in the flat-panel market. The new 46-inch model also features an optional Internet link, which allows owners to access Internet videos directly unto their TVs. (BusinessWeek 12/14)
Taiwan-based Asustek Computer is finishing up development on its Asus Eco Book, a laptop that will be encased in bamboo, and which the company hopes will appeal to “green” consumers once it hits the market. Consumer-electronics companies continue to try to make their operations more environmentally friendly, with major firms Dell, HP and Apple currently offering recycling programs for their products. (CNET/Reuters 12/13)
S5 Wireless, a Utah-based startup, has a new low-cost chip that it hopes will greatly advance the GPS market by allowing for better indoor operation. The small chip transmits a signal to S5 receivers, which then compute the location of the sender to within about 30 feet outdoors, or 45 feet indoors. “It’s like a poor man’s LoJack or OnStar,” said David Carter, S5’s chief executive officer. (The New York Times/Associated Press 12/14)
