Digital Media: Cross-Platform

April 17, 2010 | 1 Comment

For those, like myself, that weren’t at MIP 2010 take heart. Just like the past few years there was a lot of buzz surrounding the speed at which technology is forcing existing business models into irrelevancy while opening the door for new experiences.
The the MIP Digital Wrap-Up Session, see video here, was delivered by Gavin McGarry. In the video he does an outstanding job of tying together the strands of online, mobile and social media innovation in the context of here and now. Key takeaways are:
  • Data Mining: revenue reports by channel often produce surprising results
  • Micro-payments: significant in 2011; Facebook Credit to ease use of buying things
  • HTML 5: incorporates video into html; it’s simple coding will fuel an explosion of web based video
  • Twitter: enough said
  • Semantic Web: blueprint to a new way of collaborating online… the next disruptive wave
  • Creative Commons: the way forward for content businesses
Clearly, especially when discussing content, there is no reason to segment the world into off-line, online and mobile. Holistic business model implications, however, are a discussion for another article or post.

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The Key to Venture Investing, It’s Personal

April 9, 2010 | Leave a Comment

In business, and definitely in life, it’s always been about who knows, likes, and trust you. Andrew Hargadon has written an excellent piece that examines (via Ben Horowitz ), the investing framework of Ron Conway one of the Silicon Valley’s uber angels.

Key points:

  • Social capital (connections) are often more important than financial capital (cash) to startups.
  • Cash can bring find connections, but they might not be the right people or have the right reasons.
  • Public agencies have the potential to play a significant role if they would harness the power of their broad ranging networks and focus it on nurturing emerging concerns.

Why do I think that this warrants your attention? Because business relationships are personal relationships. As we go about building, or reviving stalled, strategic initiatives we need to be sure to incorporate into the business model both the creation of and focused use of social capital.

Upon the relaunch of my multi-decade venture commonly referred to as me, myself, and I – see Mitch Joel’s piece ‘CRTL-ALT-DEL’ or Chris Brogan’s series on redrawling his workflow – I’ve been fortunate enough to be a member of the founding class of Keith Fezzazi’s Relationship Management Academy (RMA). The benefit, learning the rules behind a proven system that’s focused on building your ultimate network – emphasis on a network that is right for you.

I want to public thank Tim Kastelle for bringing Andrew Hargadon’s blog to my attention. Tim is a member of the Technology & Innovation Management Centre in the School of Business at the University of Queensland, his work is something that you definitely need to keep on your radar screen.

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Is it Time for Business Models to Reboot?

March 24, 2010 | Leave a Comment

Would you be willing to blow-up your successful business for the opportunity for it to survive. Mitch Joel thinks that many businesses need to pull a Hernan Cortes (Spanish conquistador who led an expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire) and force new business models by eliminating the ability to return to status quo. The environment in which business operate has, is, and is going to change. Checkout his blog post “CTRL-ALT-DEL – It’s Time For A Business Reboot”  at http://bit.ly/cLlJvY+

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Top 5 Insights From Mobile Upfront 2010

March 22, 2010 | Leave a Comment

I had the pleasure last week of being able to attend the 2010 Mobile Upfront Conference. Yes, most of the panel dialog was around advertising but I have two very sound reasons for being interested not only in the space but also in the insights of those in the interactive/digital media world that focus on mobile.

1)  Projected smartphone – should really read smart appliance – dominance.
2)  Mobile is growing not only in size but also in platform importance.

I’m sure that there are other justifications based on different perspectives, the above are just mine. If you are interested in this space and haven’t yet read Morgan Stanley’s Mobile Internet Report I recommend that you make the time to do so. I should also make it clear that I hold the right to change my rationale at any given point. This is an industry that is rapidly changing due to both technological and consumption changes.

Here are the top 5 insights from the 2010 Mobile Upfront Conference.

It’s Personal
As we move into 4G the small screen will become the first screen. Millennials are willing to give up TV first when grounded… cell phone is last because its so personal.

Expectations are High
Interactivity, mostly listening to the market, is a must. Consumers have set the expectation of treatment bar much higher for mobile than any other media because it is such a personal medium.

It’s Not Category Specific
Mobile is much more than cellphones. Think connected devices like, consumer electronics (in-car devices, picture frames,…) , computing devices (ipads, …), and monitoring devices (pets, medical records,…)

It’s Still Early
Apps have their place and role but in the greater scheme mobile (WAP) sites will be dominate because they reach a significantly greater audience, are not platform specific, and are closer to having common standards.

It’s a Game Changer
The most effective way to reach those who don’t have or can’t afford wired broadband access in the home.





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It’s All About Access

March 19, 2010 | Leave a Comment

Check out this SlideShare presentation by James McQuivey of Forrester. Does a good job of highlighting how the market has shifted from paying directly for content to paying for access to content. Another data point in the evolving picture of how consumers now what to play a role in content curation.  http://slidesha.re/chPrfs

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