Media Mania

Joel Mark Witt - New Blog and Website

2007-11-23T22:24:00.000-05:00

Good Morning Everyone!

I have finally made the leap to using Wordpress for my website and blog. Eventually I will delete this blog and feed - but for now please...

....visit my new Joel Mark Witt site here: http://www.joel-mark-witt.com

You can also subscribe to the new Joel Mark Witt site feed

MarylandZoo.TV iTunes frontpage

2007-10-04T00:20:00.000-04:00

I am pretty excited tonight!

iTunes has decided to feature MarylandZoo.TV on the front page of the iTunes Store podcasting section. Check it out here: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewGenre?id=26

New Media Expo Trip - Day 4 - Santa Monica

2007-10-02T11:24:00.001-04:00

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New Media Expo Trip - Day 4 - getting lost in BH

2007-10-02T10:58:00.000-04:00

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Cali Trip Day 3 - B

2007-09-30T13:26:00.000-04:00

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Cali Trip Day 3 - A

2007-09-30T13:24:00.000-04:00

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Cali Trip Day 2 - I

2007-09-30T13:23:00.002-04:00

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Cali Trip Day 2 - H

2007-09-30T13:23:00.001-04:00

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Cali Trip Day 2 - G

2007-09-30T13:19:00.000-04:00

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Cali Trip Day 2 - F

2007-09-30T13:03:00.000-04:00

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Cali Trip - Day 2 - E

2007-09-30T13:02:00.000-04:00

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New Media Expo - Day 2 - D

2007-09-28T22:55:00.000-04:00

A quick look around the New Media Expo 2007

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New Media Expo Trip - Day 2 - C

2007-09-28T22:43:00.000-04:00

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New Media Expo Day 2 - B

2007-09-28T22:42:00.001-04:00

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Presenting at Podcamp SoCal 2007

2007-09-28T22:19:00.001-04:00

Here's the presentation I gave at Podcamp SoCal yesterday.

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Cali Trip Day one - B

2007-09-28T18:56:00.000-04:00

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Cali Trip Part 1

2007-09-27T17:33:00.000-04:00

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Podcamp Philly Panel 2007

2007-09-21T10:50:00.000-04:00

I had the privilege of sitting on the Podcasting Business panel at Podcamp Philadelphia two weeks ago. There were a lot of smart and talented podcasters with me. You can watch the whole session here: http://folkmediablog.blogspot.com/2007/09/folkmedia-biz-podcasting-panel-podcamp.html

New Google Presentations!

2007-09-19T11:43:00.000-04:00

I am excited that Google has added presentation slides to their docs and spreadsheets app.

I know that Google will most likely take over the world – but they sure are going to make me and other people happy while they do it. Now I can create presentations online.

Too early to tell – but the application seems a little primitive. It seems like it will be great for showing clients presentations in real time or for publishing slides from live presentations.

What will you use this new app for? I’d love to hear suggestions.

Steve Garfield

2007-09-13T10:16:00.000-04:00

If you've never met Steve Garfield - you are missing out. He is one of the most interesting and fascinating characters I know. Check out my interview with him at Podcamp Philadelphia this past weekend...

Steve Garfield Interview

Podcamp Philly 2007

2007-09-10T10:21:00.000-04:00

Podcamp Philly was this past weekend. This is me with Paul Kontonis, CEO of For Your Imagination in New York. They are a new media company producing online shows.

Podcamp was awesome! I presented in three sessions – “Thinking Like a Producer” – “Developing Your Elevator Pitch” – and the panel “Podcasting & Blogging for businesses.”

I also got to do several interviews for Folk Media. I’ll post these in the next few days.

In the meantime here are links to coverage of the festivities:

Flickr Stream: http://flickr.com/groups/456399@N25/pool/

3 Clips of PC Philly: By Chris Penn

On The Air 24/7

2007-09-04T16:19:00.000-04:00

Podcamp is a weird experience. You are being recorded constantly. I logged onto the Podcamp stream on Flickr yesterday and saw my photo flying around the net. Not sure who took the shot and posted it. I don't even remember having my photo taken.

My life is now transparent. So is yours.

It is a lesson in the new media world. Be ready to be on camera at ANY time. The whole weekend was also streamed live over Justin.TV.

So for those of you who are awake and realize that we are "on air" 24/7 - Here are a few helpful tips for living a life in a new media culture...

Tip #1 - Never assume that you can leave your house without combing your hair.
This seems like basic advice - but I see people do it all the time.

Tip #2 - Always take a camera with you.
You are a media creator too - don't be passive. The best kind of camera is one that can shoot both stills and video. A big plus if it is low key and small.

Tip #3 - You should be ready to capitalize on a good meme when it sprouts up.
A couple guys at podcamp pittsburgh came up with the term Bacn "email you want, but not right now" and it is sweeping the world - thanks to social media. I was there when they created it just a few weeks ago and now they have used media to move a great idea forward.

Tip #4 - Always consider your words.
Be truthful - consistent - and positive. What you say is being captured and it will be available for the whole world. Don't gossip or talk bad about other people. They WILL find out. Always talk positively about other people. They WILL find out - and that is a good thing.

Tip #5 - Be Natural
Act naturally - especially when a camera is rolling. The camera has a way of picking up on insincerity better than the human eye.

Tip #6 - Make boggers and podcasters your friends.
They will paint you in a better light if they like you. Better yet get your own show and begin posting your own content.

Tip #7 - Don't be an idiot.
Do I really need to explain this one?

Tip #8 - Build relationships.
Chris Brogan is a huge proponent of using digital tools to build better relationships. After all isn't this what social media is all about?

What tips do you have for all of us living in an "on the air" world 24/7? Thoughts?

Podcasting 101

2007-08-30T21:30:00.000-04:00

This past weekend I had the opportunity to co-present a seminar on podcasting basics at the Baltimore Music Festival with Barrett King - producer of Any Given Tuesday (www.anygiventuesday.info). You can listen to the audio here: Podcasting 101 (Barrett King & Joel Mark Witt).

The True Cost of Production

2007-08-25T19:41:00.000-04:00

I think money is a huge stumbling block for content creators.
They think that if only they had more money their productions would be better quality – or they could market better. Lack of money is definitely a problem for most of us creating new media. So we try to keep our financial costs low.

But there are more costs than just financial.
Good producers and creators keep their financial budget to a minimum and spend very little money while keeping production values as high as possible. Great producers and creators keep all their costs in check often times increasing their production values.

There are four basic types of costs.

1. money
2. time
3. cognitive stress (brain power)
4. physical exertion

The highest cost to you is what you have the least of…
If you have all the time in the world – time is a low cost for you. Obviously this is not rocket science. But I say this because people get hung up on money so much. There are other costs to consider.

Your goal is to reduce the costs in each of the four areas.
As a media creator it does you no good to keep your financial costs low and spend a lot in time or physical exhaustion. You will burn out – become resentful – or just plain lose interest or passion for your project. Sit down with your team and sketch out the real costs in each of these four areas.

Map out your cost lowering plan.
If you have limited time – look into bringing more team members on board. If you lack creative ideas (cognitive stress) then find others who can be creative for you. It may take some creativity and imagination.

So what costs you the most during your productions and creative process? How do you deal? I’d like to hear what you think.

Interview with Chris Brogan From Podcamp PGH

2007-08-24T14:11:00.001-04:00

So I got to interview Chris Brogan this past weekend at Podcamp Pittsburgh 2007.

Chris has some great ideas and insight into social media and community. Check his blog out at www.ChrisBrogan.com

I posted the interview below:

Videos by JoelMarkWitt | More VMIX videos
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Compliments

2007-08-24T13:34:00.000-04:00

I had someone give me a compliment this past week.

Tough.

It's hard to take compliments. How is one supposed to respond? It is tricky - so you don't downplay what they are saying - but you also don't want to come across as cocky.

one morning - two things

2007-07-25T07:25:00.001-04:00

Not sure exactly - but it was recently. I woke up one day and realized two things.

1. No one is planning my life for me.
What happens to me in this world is a direct result of the actions I take. There is nothing stopping me from doing what I want to do in this life. There is no boardroom of people I have to ask permission from. There are no kings ready to bestow their authority on me. I am free. You are free. I would be curios to hear - how do you handle this freedom?

2. My life is not leading up to something big.
Life is a marathon - but for some reason we all try to make it a sprint toward something grand. All we are really sprinting toward is death. I think this stems from our schooling years. We look forward to graduation like it is the end all of being. Then post graduation we scratch our heads and wonder why it was such a big deal. We expect that the big event of life is just around the corner. We are ever chasing - it is ever eluding.

Yes life can be exciting - life can be grand - life can be epic. But my life does not lead up to anything. I think this knowledge is really helpful. It takes me out of thinking I have to wait around for the big thing to happen. It forces me to focus on today and doing good work.

Do you agree? Do you feel like your life is leading up to something? Or do you feel that life is a journey - rather than a destination? Thoughts?

5 Tips for great online video

2007-07-17T06:00:00.000-04:00

After launching three online shows I have learned a couple things about video online. Here are my top five tips...

1. Frequency
The more you post the more they come. People want to see a regular flow of content coming from you. Frequency is the best way to build a loyal and expanding audience. Weekly posting is a good rule of thumb. Daily will send you into orbit.

2. Fast paced editing
Video on the web is consumed quickly. The pacing of your content needs to be quickly paced. Keep the edits short and quick. Move the camera around and don't feel shy about making jarring jump cuts.

3. Great sound
Sound is really 95 percent of great internet video. Remember that most internet video is flash encoded and viewed at 320 x 240. Sound can really set your video apart from the others. If your camera has the option - plug in an external mic and get it close to your subjects.

4. close ups are mandatory
Remember the whole 320 x 240? Well - long shots don't really work so well. Get the camera in close to your subject. Fill out the frame. Show the audience what is going on.

5. Keep it short
You are good under five minutes - great under 3 minutes and stratospheric under 1 minute. Keep your videos short and people will watch. Make long videos (over 5-7 minutes) and people will think twice.

What are some tips you have for great online video? I would love to hear them.

writer's high

2007-07-14T00:01:00.000-04:00

Writing is hard work.
If you don't believe me try doing it on a regular basis. About a year ago I had the habit of writing for an hour each day. It was really hard.

After a few months I wound up with over 50 short film treatments and scripts.
Getting started was usually easy. An idea, character, or thought would trigger me punching out the story on the keyboard.

Then I would get to a point where it was hard to keep going.
A decision about the story would crop up and halt my flow. It was very tempting to just close the file and save the big problems for another day. But that is lazy writing.

"A true professional does the job even when he doesn't feel like it."
These are the words of wisdom from my drama teacher in high school. One night before a performance I was suffering from a blinding headache and felt I couldn't perform that night. She made me. I pushed through and gave a great performance in spite of the pain.

I've learned to not be lazy and push through in my writing.
If you keep writing - and don't give up - it is as if you break through this barrier and the story begins to flow again like it did in the beginning. But this time you are breathlessly trying to keep up with your brain as the narrative unfolds.

Having a story spill onto the page from your brain is like a drug.
It is one of the most exhilarating feelings in the world. You feel as if you are in an out-of-body experience. Your mind, body, soul, emotions, and feelings are all centered around the story. I've never experienced a runner's high - but from the description of it I know I have experienced the same thing while writing.

Do you have a breakthrough point in your writing?
How does it feel?
Are there any methods you use to get to that point faster?

true genius

2007-07-09T18:46:00.000-04:00

I believe the mark of a true genius is the ability to see the end product or result clearly in your own mind and execute the process or equip and lead other to do so.

I think Walt Disney was a genius. So is Steve Jobs.

Who do you see as genius?

there are no rules - really

2007-06-20T08:07:00.000-04:00

The biggest thing I have to keep reminding myself is the lack of real rules in the world of media. I continually see other people in my generation striving to play by the old Hollywood model of getting discovered and getting a deal. They perceive this as the factor that will legitimize their work. It seems that recognition by Hollywood is even more important to many filmmakers and media creators than actual money.

Contrast this with the Silicon Valley mentality of setting out to make something great that will be used and spread ... and yes make some big money.

As media makers - let's make content - great content - story driven content... and change the world. Who cares if the studios in Southern California never call us. Not that this would be bad in and of itself - it's just unnecessary.

Let's remember that there really are no rules. Only the ones we impose on ourselves. So - what content are you creating today?

distribution

2007-05-23T21:17:00.001-04:00

I just returned home from a four day trip and found the new Wired magazine in my mailbox. It was shrink wrapped and when I opened it a DVD fell out. It was a nine minute movie called "Eureka." The bottom corner said "a shell films production." Shell as in the oil company. This got me thinking about two things... in no particular order.

1. DVDs suck. Okay - they were great in 1997 - but wake up - this is the new millennium. The problem with DVDs (unless I buy it myself) is the chance that no one will stick it in their player and actually watch the thing. I haven't yet. It is in my "to get to pile." I - like most people - probably never will. Except for the fact that I am actually interested in.... see point number two.

2. Companies as the new production houses.
I am fascinated by the idea of companies taking control of their brands and messages by designing and producing their own original content.

What do you think is the future for companies creating content on their own?

media bombs

2007-05-18T13:52:00.000-04:00

Most people don't realize the power of media.

Terrorists do.

That's why they make their own videos of anguish and turmoil. That's why they blew up and burned down a radio station in Baghdad today. Media is more powerful than any weapon. Check out this article from the Washington Times.

I love the movie Three Kings. It is a story about four soldiers who go in search of Saddam Hussein’s gold during the first Gulf war. The movie explores the real war going on behind the weapons ... the war of the screen. Media played a big part in the first Gulf war.

Media plays an even bigger role now. Whoever uses media effectively wins in business... life... culture ... and yes even war.

Back home and new shows

2007-04-29T21:58:00.000-04:00

Okay so my plane landed last night around 11:00pm ET. I had a chance to finally edit all the audio from last weekend's Bootcamp in Pittsburgh on the plane and finally post the shows. I also posted the live show from Ad-Tech in San Francisco.

Ad-Tech was a great conference - but I think I learned more talking with Kenji Kato and the guys over at the Pixel Corps on Thursday afternoon. I was walking down Market Street in San Francisco and decided to drop by and introduce myself. I am glad I did. They were very patient and answered all my new media and podcasting questions. They are on the cutting edge of new media and showed me around their studio.

the bootcamp interviews

2007-04-28T22:00:00.000-04:00

FROM BOOTCAMP LAST WEEKEND:

Here is a photo of me interviewing Chris Brogan at Bootcamp Pittsburgh on April 21 for the FolkMedia Podcast. Check out the interview here along with several others.

Keynote Review (Thursday morning - Ad-Tech 2007)

2007-04-26T13:35:00.000-04:00

David Clark from Joost talked about disruption and how Joost is approaching TV. He basically said that they want to emulate TV - not do away with it.

Joost will have a full screen TV like experience - but with full control in the hands of the user. They are signing deals with big media companies now and soon will open the platform to all content creators big and small.

Check out the raw live blog post below. I was typing fast so there are plenty of mistakes.

live from ad-tech day two (morning keynote 9:30am PT)

2007-04-26T12:24:00.000-04:00

SAN FRANCISCO...

"Dreaming of Disruption"

Speaker: David Clark, Exec. VP Advertising, Joost

Owned by the founder of Kazaa - taking on the music industry
Owned by the founder of Skype - taking on the telephone industry
Now Joost is taking on television

Dick Fasbery - the inventor of the Fasbery flop. He tried to do the high jump backward and changed Olympics forever.

He says that TV should not change that much - it should remain the same. Joost says TV is good and that the internet shouldn't kill TV. The networks have responded to competition by crafting well told cinematic stories. TV is getting better he says.

He says it is because storytelling that these networks are surviving and thriving. Storytelling matters, brand matters, programing matters.

Joost is not betting against TV.

But the internet has what TV lacks - community, measurability, etc. He says we are seeing the merging of the two worlds - online and TV.

When David was at MTV he said that people wanted to watch and be involved in a community.

Video will always be the foundation of content. With Joost anyone can set up a channel to broadcast to the world.

JOEL'S QUESTION: this sounds like 1995 when anyone could make a website. What can we learn from the 90's that we can apply to this new opportunity?

Joost has many channels that is unique and separate from what you can find on TV. Joost has signed deals with big media companies. He says that talent and storytelling skills comes from the big companies. He says online video will help big media companies more than others.

He says we will see new types of entertainment centered around this new media. Audience interaction and choice will reign. Smaller and loyal audiences will spring up around certain type of shows and channels. Channels and play lists will be organized by me, my friends, or the wisdom of the crowd.

He says we should look through the consumer's eyes - not big media's eyes to see how things will take shape.

Joost will open the platform to all very soon. He says that Joost feels a lot like TV. It is an instant full on TV like experience - but with control and interaction. It is a lean back or a lean forward experience - your choice.

It took 50 years to create TV 1.0 - TV 2.0 won't happen overnight. The thing that is holding back TV 2.0 is an effective ad model. The biggest fact is that the consumer is totally in control.

David says that this is the biggest deal. It effects the ad industry the most. As advertisers we are not used to having the consumer in control. As advertisers we need to re-think about what this means. Advertising is not a product and it is not entertainment. He says that it is supposed to snatch you away and pitch you something.

As an advertiser where do we place our bets - he asks. In the 1970's Scope was able to have a single message on TV and America had to watch. But entertainment is fragmented. He likens this to all of us trying to stand up right now and pitch him on a 30 second business idea. David says that this is the marketing tactics of the day - but they were designed for the past. They are tired old models. We haven't developed new ad models fast enough and we are relying on the success of the past.

Three things that Joost uses

1. Interact
2. Measure
3. Target

He says that he doesn't think the 30 second spot is dead. He says that it will still work as long as there is only one spot that has prime space in the content. He thinks this will work.

David says that Joost takes an open source approach to Joost. He feels that Joost being built on the Firefox browser will open itself up to that community.

David says that Joost is open to any type of company that would like to help them figure out a new ad model. He wants start-ups, old companies, etc. He claims he wants to work with content creators and aggregators.

35-40% of ad dollars go into TV. But the internet video realm will grow fast and strong over the next few years.

David says that there will be some disruptive advertising. Mid-roll, pre-roll, post-roll.

David says that he loves YouTube. Joost is much more controlled and is more for content creators - not user gen content. He says there is a great opportunity for content that isn't short clips of user gen content.

Question from audience: What about big screens? Are people going to want to watch TV on their computer?

David says that TVs will be able to play content on big screens eventually. He says that laptops are already media devices and devices are converging. Joost says that everything is available on the network. The user can create their own playlists and content line up.

Question about content owners and revenue sharing...

David answers that the content owners can sell their own ads or use the Joost ad sales team. If they sell their own ads they will make more money.

Question - do you see advertisers being content producers and owning their own channel.

David says that advertisers are great storytellers and he sees them having the possibility to create their own content.

Great talk.

dreaming of disruption intro video

2007-04-26T09:00:00.000-04:00

ad-tech day one (more stuff 5:00pm PT)

2007-04-25T20:16:00.000-04:00

SAN FRANCISCO...

Still coming live from California at the Ad-Tech conference. The exhibit hall was filled with about 80% search marketing companies and 20% of content aggregators. The most interesting companies are the ones that create social media outlets for individual organizations.

I am sitting right now in the afternoon keynote session. Bob Davis of Highland Capital Partners says that the real money is to be made through advertising - not through big payouts like YouTube and MySpace.

So I guess he is saying that we have passed the wild west stage of hype and big money flying around. We are entering the 2.0 world of real profitability and sustainable business models.

Bob also says that if you can build an audience - you can sell it. He says that relative to audience - online advertising is relatively small. He says that the web as a medium has spread wider, deeper, and farther than any other media ever in the history of the world.

Tony Perkins, CEO of AlwaysOn Network says that we should look at Web 3.0. He says it is the instant messaging generation (26 and younger) do more texting than emailing. The value propositions of the internet have been shown by the young people.

Web 1.0 was using web one-way as a broadcast
Web 2.0 is an experiment in two-way communications and connectivity

Bob Davis says the internet has changed the way we do everything. He says that the internet is not revolutionary - it is evolutionary. He says that web 3.0 will learn how to reduce the clutter and make the online experience better.

Tony challenges the panelists to give him something new and cool about the internet.

Bob Davis says that there is no big leap.

Tony says 62% of content that the average 21 year old accesses online is produced by someone they know. He says that is a huge shift.

Gene DeRose says that that stuff is not really content - it is more about communication.

It was mentioned that companies will actually make their own media for distribution.

Tony asks how many on the panel are on social media networks - only Bob Davis raised his hand.

The panelists said that stuff that failed 10 years ago online is ripe for success now.

In Japan has 20 megabits per second - some people have 40 megabits per second. What happens when that is streamed to a hand-held device? Our media will be so integrated into our lives - we won't be able to tell.

The next big thing will be built for the new generation (26 and younger) - just like MySpace and YouTube.

Tony Perkins says that the next been players will be the ones who let go of their content and not try to control all this stuff.

Bob Davis says the power of the internet is the voice it has given to people all over the world as never before.

China is skipping the PC and is going straight to cell phones for internet connections.

The session just ended. Good panel discussion.

I am heading to the Ad-Tech award party tonight. Free food, Circe De Sole performance, and the award show. should be fun.

Ad-Tech - is anyone creating media here?

2007-04-25T16:47:00.000-04:00

Live from San Francisco:
April 25, 2007

I am at Ad-Tech. The whole conference is centered around new media and making money from it - but no one seems to be creating new media. This is drastically different from Bootcamp PGH last week. Everyone seemed to be blogging, streaming, and recording the event.

If content is king - then those who make it will live the lives of kings! Long live the content creator kings.

ad tech day one (four)

2007-04-25T13:08:00.000-04:00

keynote cont...

I tried to stream the event live using UStream.tv - but couldn't get my video to work with it. So - I recorded a quick sample and posted it to Google Video.

Jason says that anywhere content goes our branding has to go with it. He says that we really need to work on branding content.

Question for the audience: $60 Billion goes to TV - $2-3 billion through internet. What will the ratio be 5 years from now?

Suzie says that it will be huge on the internet!!

Jon says - $575 Million will be spent on web video in 2007

Suzie says that no one working in new media and online video wants to re-create television. She says that she is looking for knockout creative and better metrics. Entertainment and information will feel better to us as consumers than TV. The web shouldn't be like Tivo type tv watching.

Jason from Sling Media says that CPM's will go through the roof due to laser targeted advertising.

Question from audience: Asks Jason from Sling Media the process of protecting stolen content posted on aggregators.

Jason from Sling Media says that this content should be called "stolen." He says to use this "stolen" content to your companies advantage. Don't consider it stolen consider it free promotion. He says that creators should get rid of widows and platforms and dstribute free content as wide as possible.

Suzie from YouTube says that they do want their partners to enjoy money from their content.

Question: Are there any properties that use consumer created content effectively?

Suzie answers - Yelp.com.

NOTE: after hearing the questions and answers from all these so called experts in th industry I am much less intimidated to jump into this industry full force. It sounds like NO ONE knows where all this stuff is going. The field is wide open!

Session is over.

ad-tech day one (three)

2007-04-25T13:00:00.000-04:00

keynote cont...

(sorry for the fragment style of writing -blogging live through this session so trying to type fast and post as I go.)

Wired mentions Creative Commons liscensing and publishing through a wiki online. A Wired writer began an article and threw it up on the internet and allowed the community to ad to it.

Caroline from Washington Post made the point that it still takes reporters to create content and interpret what is going on. She gets some back-lash from the other panelists.

She says that if you are a political reporter you will interpret what is going on better.

Jason from Sling Media says people are going to create content on their own - he encourages main stream big media to open up themsleves to community involvement.

Moderator - Jon asks how do you make money off a conversation. Caroline from Wash Post says that it is very difficult.

Kourosh from Wired says that the conversation is much more entertaining than a static piece of content by a journalist.

ad-tech day one (two)

2007-04-25T12:51:00.000-04:00

Keynote cont...

Talking about content being king. The panelist agree that while aggregation is important and needed – the content holders have the power.

There is the idea of not having to be a huge content creator to be successful. Anyone can be a content publisher. People don’t think of non-professional content as viable – they say.

The moderator asks youTube exec about them testing ad models. She says that they are moving forward and are focused on making it a revenue model that will work for the individual publisher.

One thing about these panelists is the fact that they don’t seem to know a whole bunch of what they are talking about. None of them are under 30 – in fact it looks like they all may be over 40.

Suzie says that this summer we may see YouTube.com expand to include advertising. She made a disclaimer that they don’t want to screw up the user experience.

She said that a bumper or pre-roll may disrupt the user experience. Transitions is key. The transition from a commercial experience to a content experience is key.

JOEL NOTE: I don’t think there should be a difference. I think that content should be content. Advertising should be made compelling enough to actually be content. Think Bud.tv

Jason says that no one has the right ad model yet.

Kourosh from Wired says that he uses YouTube every day to distribute their content.

Suzie from YouTube makes the point of commercials being content in and of themselves - (Joel - right on Suzie). Jason mentions X Box 360 ads...

Jason makes the point that the economics of advertising in the past create a barrier to making advertising the actual content. He says that most people are accepting of any kind of content. SNL clips are on the same level as Coke and Mentos commercials.

ad tech day one (part one)

2007-04-25T12:35:00.000-04:00

San Francisco:

Okay so I am sitting at the first keynote panel on Wednesday of Ad-Tech. Everyone's got their laptops open and we are ready to roll.

In a minute we are going to hear from several industry people. Topic: Content Is King (Again?)"

The chairman of Ad-Tech is going over the buzz of the conference.

Short form content: The idea of short form video and video snacking and what kind of advertising supports it.

I don't see any content being made anywhere. Maybe others are live blogging but no one is video recording except for the hired hands that have been called into video tape.

Keynote next is:

John Fine - Media Columnist, Business Week - moderator

panelists:
Jason Hirshhorn - pres. sling media
Kourosh Karimkhany, gen. mangr. Wired Digital
Suzie Reider, head of Advetsg. YouTube
Caroline H. Little, CEO & Pub. - Washington Post and Newsweek Interactive

bootcamp pittsburgh

2007-04-24T00:28:00.000-04:00

I had the opportunity to attend and present at Bootcamp Pittsburgh over the weekend. It was a conference about new media, blogging, video on the net, and podcasting.

I had an awesome time and was able to meet a bunch of passionate and interesting people.

Check out a review of the weekend here.

So - picture me going around with an old cassette tape deck recording interviews for FolkMedia.org. I got several really great interviews that I will post there over the next several days.

I'm off to San Fransisco tomorrow for the Ad-Tech conference. It is focused on the advertising and business end of web content.

new podcast

2007-04-06T22:41:00.000-04:00

I've helped to launch a new podcast. Check out FolkMedia podcast when you get a chance at FolkMedia.org.

The first episode is also available on iTunes. Make sure you subscribe.

i'm no fool

2007-04-01T11:33:00.000-04:00

Okay - so I hate this stupid holiday. April 1 is just plain stupid. Most people have dumb tricks they play on people. But I was fooled nice and good this year thanks to our friends at Google. If the site is still up check out: http://www.google.com/tisp/

It brought a very big smile to my face today.

Frontline: News War

2007-03-24T23:32:00.000-04:00

If you want to see a great piece on the demise of the news media check out Frontline: News War from PBS. It is long but well worth the watch.

You get a sense of the desperation of the mass news media and where the blogging, podcasting, and online TV world is headed.

artists vs. artisans

2007-03-22T22:47:00.000-04:00

I am learning there is a big difference between artisans and artists. As a producer, most of what I do doesn’t involve artists. The people who work on productions with me are actually artisans – they are craftsmen. They have a craft that they execute with precision and skill.

My DPs light scenes not to be artistic – but to communicate the mood of the script. Writers hammer out dialogue that gets to the core of the characters. My wardrobe supervisor designs and picks clothes not to win a fashion award on the runway – but to illustrate the attitudes of the characters and time period. My editors cut the scenes so that the edits don’t draw attention to themselves.

In my opinion – the artist is more authoritarian – more original. They aren’t working toward a practical goal. They are in a sense trying to draw attention to themselves.

Craftsmen on the other hand are skilled at making something beyond themselves. They do very well with direction and guidance. They are in it for the common good of the project and their satisfaction is in playing a professional and talented role on the team.

The greatest producers in the world are the ones that can communicate and direct the best artisans and craftsmen to achieve a vision.

Great producers are craftsmen of craftsmen. Instead of painting with oils, playing the piano, or writing great stories – people (particularly artisans) are their medium of choice. And they are very good at it.

force vs. choice

2007-03-17T12:31:00.000-04:00

There are many differences between new media and old media. But I think one of the biggest is force verses choice.

Old Media broadcasts out and forces content to the audience
New media gives the audience complete control of what, where, and when they want content.

Old media is event oriented.
New media is subscription oriented.

Old media is long and involved.
New media is shorter and more digestible.

Old media requires large budgets for production and distribution.
New media is inexpensive.

Old media is about control.
New media is about freedom.

Old media requires creators to have permission from distributors and studios.
New media requires no permission – only creativity.

I like old media. But I love new media. For creative professionals it is a dream come true. For businesses it is a way to market and communicate like never before. And for Hollywood it is a wake up call.

soak your mind

2007-03-16T17:08:00.000-04:00

A quick note to media creators:

We as creative professionals need to be careful that we don’t begin to live in a tunnel. It is easy to consume all of our information and media through the current video, audio, and print channels.

But my caution is this – just because something is new doesn’t make it better. In fact, who is to say that old isn’t better?

The media we create will have a far richer and deeper impact if we saturate our minds offline as well. So be sure to pick up a good novel. Sit in on lecture series. Ask the homeless guy on your street about life for a change. Get on your belly and play with a one-year-old. Sit and listen to an old man tell long boring stories for hours on end. Listen to music that you hate.

If you do these things and things like them - your life will be richer – you will learn something new – and your media will end up different and more textured. So go soak your mind in something besides “media” for a while.

You will like the results – I promise.

we are all in the media business

2007-02-21T21:06:00.000-05:00

What will the world be like when the media industry is bigger than the oil industry?

I don't think we realize how big a role media is going to play in this millennium. We see images every day. We interact with screens (cell phones, computers, TVs, and iPods) more than we do with faces.

The problem we are going to have is the shift in thinking from media as something we add to our current businesses and lives to the fact that our businesses and lives will be centered around media.

Media is the business we are all in now. Just like customer service was the real business we were in during the past 30-40 years - media is the new business.

In case you are missing my point - you are in the media business or you are not in business. You are communicating or you are bankrupt. That is the core of what commerce is now. Period.

So how does this play out for the average business owner? You need to restructure your company to begin integrating media into the very fiber of what you do. When I talk about media I am talking about education - entertainment and news. These are the three core areas that need to be woven into what you do.

Actually strike that. I am still thinking like the old economy. Don't weave media into what you do. Start with your media business and weave what you do into that. Don't have a media business? Then you aren't in business - at least not much longer. We all better get busy.

are copyrights dangerous to our culture?

2007-02-08T20:58:00.000-05:00

My nine month old son Gunnar was fussy the other night. I logged onto YouTube and began clicking on Sesame Street videos from 20 years ago. He loved them. I did too!

A flood of memories came back to me from my childhood and I began to wonder about who owns these original videos. I feel like they are part of my childhood. They are part of my cultural history. I wonder how Sesame Street will respond to this copying of their content and posting to YouTube.

This got me thinking.

For the past 100 years our culture has been played out through the media. We have recorded our modern history and culture through film, television, music, and the internet. Most of this media is currently in the hands of copyright holders that have control over the content. If they prevent the rest of us from making copies we increase the potential of losing this information, entertainment, and history.

mark cuban's thoughts

2007-01-26T20:46:00.000-05:00

Mark Cuban always seems to be in the limelight for his opinionated views on the NBA , HDTV, and technology in general. I love reading his blog because he gives great business ideas.

Check out his new idea for reverse internet TV: http://www.blogmaverick.com

ToonTown's new golden age

2007-01-17T20:46:00.000-05:00

When The Simpsons came out I was in the beginning stages of high school and my parents were appalled. This “cartoon” had adult themes and language but looked like it was a kids’ show.

My brother and I were not allowed to watch. My home was fairly conservative so we weren’t allowed to watch most things on television targeted for the mainstream. But a lot of my friends came from less conservative homes. They were allowed to watch many of the shows with adult themes and adult language – but not the Simpsons. The problem was not the content – but the context. It wasn’t the message – it was the medium.

Cartoons were seen as shows that children watch. Adding adult elements to a kids’ show was terrible. People didn’t understand that this wasn’t just a kids’ show.

Fast forward a couple decades and we see Hollywood embracing animation like never before. If you thought the 1930’s was ToonTown’s golden age – wait until you look back in ten years. Cartoons are being cranked out – with high quality images and story – fast and cheap. And they are more and more being targeted to adults.

What was once looked at as a child’s medium has now been seen as a viable art form for adults. I credit this breakthrough to The Simpsons. They changed the way we think about cartoons – forever.

Steve Job's brilliance

2007-01-10T20:45:00.000-05:00

He may be loved by some hated by others – but he is brilliant.

With the announcement of the new iPhone and Apple TV - I’ve been thinking a lot about Mr. Jobs lately.

What makes Steve Jobs successful is his ability to bring to the masses what they want.

He gave us the desktop computer. Before this computers were for businesses – cost way too much – and were boring. He gave us the iPod. We can now carry our entire music and video libraries around with us wherever we go.

He has now brought us Apple TV. We are now able to watch internet video on our television – in high definition. But the big advance in this technology is what it does to the independent producers. Now as media creators we have the ability to broadcast our content to the world for the cost of server hosting.

A new era is dawning.

apple tv - this changes everything

2007-01-10T20:43:00.000-05:00

This changes everything!

okay so go to this link: http://www.apple.com/appletv

This changes everything. Now it is possible to send media from your computer to your high definition TV set. It is just a matter of time for independent TV channels to pop up all over the world.

If you are a content producer – now is the time to ramp up your productions and prepare. This is the year the vodcast goes mainstream.

I am excited about the possibilities.

YOU

2006-12-28T20:42:00.000-05:00

I know that the new issue has been out for several days now, but I was listening to Net at Nite on Twit and heard them talking about Time Magazine’s person of the year.

YOU.

The show hosts, Leo Laporte and Amber MacArthur were talking about YOU as a cop-out for the person of the year. Amber agues that it should be the YouTube guys. Some others argue, “Time can’t make the person of the year a construct.”

But this is not a construct. Look at the cover of the magazine to get my point. A mirror reflects back the person of the year image.

Not YOU in the sense of everyone - but YOU in the sense of the one person that YOU look at in the mirror every morning. Not a collective YOU - but a personal YOU.

YOU are the reason that YouTube, MySpace, and Wikipedia are successful and have changed the world. Without YOU the social aspect of the internet would not exist.

So - If YOU haven’t picked up a copy of the new issue of Time – go out and buy it.

are you using media? (part 2)

2006-12-28T20:41:00.000-05:00

I really can’t see any reason why every business isn’t employing media (video, podcasts, blogs, etc) to tell the world about what they do.

Okay. So you are a manufacturing plant that produces products to sell to wholesalers. You ask, “Why would I need to show anybody what we do here at the plant?”

My answer – “because you can.”

The cost of producing media is so inexpensive and easy that you should be doing it on a regular basis. You are now able to show the world what you could only show a few years ago to a handful of people touring your factory. Why not show them? People will get to see how your products are made and the quality that goes into them.

If you have a customer facing business – media will allow you to reach your customers in brand new ways. Think of video based quick tips that you could compile - or co-host a podcast with other leaders from your industry.

Media is only becoming more pervasive.

So start making media and watch your business grow.

products vs. media

2006-12-27T20:40:00.000-05:00

What do people really want?

I was thinking about this over the Christmas holiday. I saw people flying around buying up as many items as they could afford.

We humans love to collect things. We love products. In fact we aren’t called citizens anymore – they call us consumers.

But is this what we really want? How many products end up in the garbage or in the back of our closets a few weeks after December 25?

What we really crave is acceptance and recognition. When we buy new clothes – we are really purchasing the feeling we get when someone notices them. We buy new cars for the same reason. Our iPods tell people something about us.

But we usually buy media for ourselves. Who notices that we purchased Walk The Line on DVD? Who cares that we just downloaded U2 from iTunes? We do. We consume media to please ourselves – not other people.

And how many times do you throw away a DVD or CD? I bet you have CDs from over 10 years ago in your collection. Do you still wear a pair of jeans from ten years ago? I hope not.

Media (music, books, films, even TV shows) has a shelf life that doesn’t expire. In fact the older the media is – the more likely it is considered a “classic.” Yes cars and some other items also get to this status. But not to the level that media does. (Just look at TBS showing “The Christmas Story” for 24 hours straight).

Media makes us feel more. It makes sense of the world. It resonates with us. The world would be a boring place without musicians, artists, storytellers, writers, and filmmakers. In fact using media and communicating clearly is becoming the currency of the new millennium.

We need media in our lives.

are you using media?

2006-12-27T20:39:00.000-05:00

How is your business or organization using media?

If you answer “we are not using media” - then why not?

As a business owner you need to fuse together media and marketing for your products and services. No ifs … ands … or … you get the idea.

It’s not enough to have a website with a few photos and testimonials. Not anymore.

Customers want to interact with you through your blog. They want to be educated by your through your audio or video podcasts. And they need to discover you by using viral video and search based advertising.

What?! You don’t have a blog or podcast or do search marketing. Why not? Do you realize the untapped revenue you are missing from not doing these things?

Welcome to the new world of branding and communications. Think branded entertainment - where you and your brand are the marketing. You interact with the customer directly rather than tagging your ad in-between someone else’s message.

So here are five quick tips for creating that compelling marketing message in the new millennium:

1. Create a Story

Everyone loves a story and this creates an identity to what you do. Your story is your content.

2. Make it personal

If you start a blog – make sure it is a person writing the blog - not from “the company.”

3. Give value

Value is not money. It is more than money. Add value by giving the customer information. But not just any bit of information – but useful targeted – contextualized information. This is the most valuable.

4. Pinging & Threading

Keep pinging with little bits of info rather than trying to write an entire article or do a one hour podcast. Keep things short, useful, and to the point. A five minute podcast packed with educational content is better than a longer format. Think – “threads” that weave a “sweater” of branded content.

5. Interaction

Interact with your customers. Turn on the comments of your blog. Get listeners and viewers to comment on your podcast forum. Keep the lines of dialogue open.

Customers have unlimited options for products and services – but limited time, attention, and capacity for choice. To cut through the clutter – businesses need a compelling message beyond the 30 second ad.

But think of it this way. We now have the tools and capacity to communicate in a way we never had before. This is exciting.

Welcome to the new millennium.

Let’s enjoy the ride.

death of the disc

2006-12-26T20:37:00.000-05:00

Most things in life are not rocket science. It doesn’t take a mystic to realize that the CD and DVD is doomed. Maybe not this year – maybe not next – but it will happen.

The studios stopped making VHS tapes last year and it is only a matter of time when their little disc brothers get the snub. The Internet will carry the future of entertainment distribution.

Some disagree with this. Mark Cuban (Owner of 2929 entertainment and the Dallas Mavericks) argues that bandwidth will be a problem. But look at how many people said that broadband penetration would be a long time coming and now we are over 50 percent.

So I think the Internet will continue to move forward at a faster rate than we can predict. The question is – as media creators – will we be ready to harness its power?

idiot box

2006-12-23T20:36:00.000-05:00

My TV truly is an idiot box. After watching one of my favorite programs (24, Prison Break, or House) I find myself drawn in to just sit there and let the tube flicker for hours on end. Motivation drains from my body and I tell myself just one more hour of viewing and I’ll go do what I need to do.I hate the way it makes me feel. Stephen King calls the television “the glass teat.”

I have come to agree.

So - I’ve been attempting to increase other media in my life. Television has never been a big part of my existence - so it seems pretty easy to wean off it.

I picked up a cheap mp3 player at Wal-Mart and am now listening to several podcasts, audio books, and music. Plus I am trying to read even more. I have always been a huge book worm - but I am really trying to devour books more now. I used to treat books with reverence and keep them clean and mark free.

My view has changed and I now see them as tools. I mark them up - write in the margins – dog ear the pages and underline bodies of key text. I read them in the new millennium style of non-linear. I will turn to chapters I am most interest in. And I have at least 10-15 books in any given month that I am plowing through.

The more I read, listen to podcasts, and write - the more the idiot box doesn’t appeal to me. I find myself motivated to do things. It is wonderful.

While listening to the Twit.tv podcast I learned that several of the hosts and guests don’t even own TVs. They get all their media from the web. They are in control of what they watch. Most of the content is free from commercials. And most importantly it is accessible at any time that makes sense.

It gave me a desire to kill my TV.

I am seriously thinking about it.

All of my favorite shows can be watched on iTunes. When I want - and without commercials.

My only reservation is missing all the Steelers games. I like being an idiot with my box for those. But I will definitely turn off the tube when the season is over.

why john mayer will never change the world

2006-12-23T20:35:00.000-05:00

John Mayer keeps ringing through my head lately. His song “Waiting on The World to Change” plays over and over. The tune is catchy and I find myself singing it often.

I love to try and draw parallels between various disciplines. Listening to Mayer, reading a new book called “The Long Tail” and watching the 2008 presidential race heat up has made a connection in my mind today. I, like many Americans my age, agree with Mayer when he represents my generation and says:

it’s not that we don’t care,
we just know that the fight ain’t fair
so we keep on waiting
waiting on the world to change

So what if the fight ain’t fair - I think waiting is bull crap!

I know I am jaded. I know I’m cynical about the government. But I think we are aiming at the wrong target. Don’t get me wrong. Voting for the president is important - voting for members of congress is important - but maybe we are looking to the wrong place for change. There is this really big shift in the world – the rise of the micro-niche. cable channels, magazines, satellite radio, books, websites, and even retail outlets have figured out how to capture a niche audience. (see how I brought even this discussion back to medi).

Plus - globalization is on the rise. As the world becomes more global I feel that it will also become more localized. People will crave a “new village” of people, ideas, and access. While some of this localization will be geographic – I see the majority of it becoming driven by people’s niche interests. Myspace, Facebook, Youtube, and Google have made it possible to connect with people on a “local” level organized around common interests rather than location.

So what does this mean for us who want to change the world?

In spite of localization centered around interests – I feel that geographic localization will still play an important role in civic life. We need to look to effect change in our neighborhoods, towns, and cities. This is turn will organically bubble up and effect change at the national level and ultimately the global level. Our personal values, desires, and actions at the local level effect organic change that bubbles up higher. Rather than trying to change things from the top down. Bottom up change is the best change there is.

I know I’m not saying anything profound or new. I know we all know this is the best way to effect change…

…then why don’t we?

…why don’t I?

…why don’t you?

As John waits around– let’s get moving where we can with what we can.

TV Execs & Pitching

2006-12-23T20:30:00.000-05:00

I am reading this great book called “Desperate Networks” - talking about the shake up in the network television industry around the turn of the millennium.

The story about Mark Burnett selling Survivor to CBS is one of my favorites. His pitch is what made the difference. He clearly painted a picture and vision for what the show would look like. His pitch was visual and it got the message across enough to make CBS give it a try.

This is the same way Disney would pitch new ideas to sponsors, animators, and executives. His style was detailed and he immersed you in the story that he wanted to tell.

As we think about marketing, PR, storytelling, sales, or negotiation - we need to keep in mind the power of visual presentation. It will definitely change the outcome.

media mania

2006-12-20T20:07:00.000-05:00

Media is on the lips of everyone these days.

YouTube has been bought by Google - user generated videos are hitting a critical mass - and people are actually starting to make money in podcasting.

If you are not making media - you will be left behind. Period.