My commentary is about the “other” Digital Rights Management issue, empowering creatives as opposed to protecting big business – just some food for thought.
In other news, according to new data released by Nielsen, people who own digital video recorders, or DVRs, still watch, on average, two-thirds of the ads. I don’t know who did this study or how they did it, but if you own a DVR, you must wonder about the validity of this research. That being said, how often do you use the pause button?
Reflecting the enduring appeal of big-event TV, ad space for the Feb. 25 Oscars telecast already is sold out. Marketers including AT&T, General Motors, Microsoft and Unilever are paying about $1.7 million for a 30-second spot, according to estimates, with many also sponsoring coverage on the official Web site, Oscar.com. Broadcaster ABC also is approaching marketers about sponsoring ads produced for mobile phones, to accompany awards-related content.
Speaking of mobile, advertising on cell phones offers marketers a wealth of user information and targeting opportunities undreamed of in other media; however, some experts worry that cell-phone users will find such advertising overly intrusive. But, if advertising can offset the cost of mobile subscriptions or premium services like music and video, it’s possible that users will be more receptive. I am not bullish on this kind of mobile advertising, but read on
And from the, “I told you the tools existed department,” MySpace is providing free audio-fingerprinting software to allow them to block the unauthorized uploading of video clips. “Video filtering is about protecting artists and the work they create,” Chris DeWolfe, CEO and co-founder of MySpace, said in a statement.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007 (7pm – 9pm) at The New School, Theresa Lang Student Center, 55 w. 13th street, Second Floor, (Between 5th and 6th Aves.), New York — Don’t miss the PGA/NATAS panel at the New School entitled: Online Social Networking Goes Niche. I was scheduled to moderate this panel, but I have a conflict, so the panel will be moderated by my good friend, Jeff Dachis. His guests will include: Eric D. Alterman, Founder, Chairman and CEO of KickApps Corporation – www.kickapps.com, Kai Bond, VP of Business Development, Rave Wireless – www.ravewireless.com, Nicholas Butterworth, CEO, Diversion Media – www.diversionmedia.com, Dan Melinger, Co-Founder and CEO, Socialight, Inc. – www.socialight.com and Eric Wachtmeister, Chairman and Founder, A Small World – www.asmallworld.net. The event is free, but you must RSVP to: rsvp_natas@pga-ny.org
And finally, March 19-22, 2007 plan your trip to San Jose for the Video on the Net Conference. This is, without question, the “must attend” conference of the year. Everyone you know (or want to know) will be attending and presenting. If you work in the digital video industry, you will do business at this conference. Register early with the promotional code “palmer” to receive a substantial courtesy delegates discount. 