In 1999, the Cluetrain Manifesto was ahead of its time and in a lot of respects it remains there. One passage that is even more relevant today; “We are not seats or eyeballs or end users or consumers. We are human beings and our reach exceeds your grasp."
Deal with it.
Kneale Mann
2012 Top 10 - Jan 2012 | phdworldwide
Showing posts with label entertainment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label entertainment. Show all posts
December 30, 2012
January 27, 2012
Does This Scare You?
In 1999, the Cluetrain Manifesto was ahead of its time and in a lot of respects it remains there. Like so much of the book, one passage that is even more relevant today...
“We are not seats or eyeballs or end users or consumers.
We are human beings and our reach exceeds your grasp. Deal with it.”
They Are The Future. We Must Deal With It.
Kneale Mann
visual credit: phdworldwide
“We are not seats or eyeballs or end users or consumers.
We are human beings and our reach exceeds your grasp. Deal with it.”
They Are The Future. We Must Deal With It.
Kneale Mann
visual credit: phdworldwide
August 20, 2010
The Fire Hose Gets Stronger
The nonstop information on the Internet was once described as a fire hose aimed at a teacup which remains a vivid and accurate image.
We are drenched by constant information and there is no hope of us ever being able to keep up.
Information, education, entertainment, humor, music, books, articles, websites. The choices are endless.
And this doesn’t include that little thing we call life.
How much time do we have?
Depending on the survey, the average person living to life expectancy (women 81 and men 76) spends six months in the bathroom, eight months having sex, eighteen months shopping, two years reading, two years exercising, three years doing housework, three years cooking, four years eating, four years on the phone, four years lining up, five years online, a decade watching television and twenty-five years sleeping.
So when you think about all the stuff we want to do as business owners, the competition is fierce and the least of our worries is our competition.
Time is our biggest adversary.
A Series of Tubes
There is no definitive way to determine the size of the Internet. It just turned forty and we have created something we can’t even measure that grows by the second.
With over a quarter of the world's population online, the fire hose won't be easing up for the foreseeable future.
So where does that leave us teacups?
knealemann
strategy. marketing. media.
image credit: afajournal
We are drenched by constant information and there is no hope of us ever being able to keep up. Information, education, entertainment, humor, music, books, articles, websites. The choices are endless.
And this doesn’t include that little thing we call life.
How much time do we have?
Depending on the survey, the average person living to life expectancy (women 81 and men 76) spends six months in the bathroom, eight months having sex, eighteen months shopping, two years reading, two years exercising, three years doing housework, three years cooking, four years eating, four years on the phone, four years lining up, five years online, a decade watching television and twenty-five years sleeping.
So when you think about all the stuff we want to do as business owners, the competition is fierce and the least of our worries is our competition.
Time is our biggest adversary.
A Series of Tubes
There is no definitive way to determine the size of the Internet. It just turned forty and we have created something we can’t even measure that grows by the second.
With over a quarter of the world's population online, the fire hose won't be easing up for the foreseeable future.
So where does that leave us teacups?
knealemann
strategy. marketing. media.
image credit: afajournal
March 24, 2009
Media Hacks: A Must Listen
I was trying to catch up blogs and podcasts – which is an endless battle – but one of my new favorite spots to visit is Media Hacks.
New thinking on new media from more mouths.
This is a initiative that has been formed by Mitch Joel, Christopher Penn, Hugh McGuire, Chris Brogan, Julien Smith and CC Chapman. Whenever the group gets together on the phone or in person (whist eating large sandwiches) it usually features three to six of the contributors. They add guests as well.
The Hacks discuss marketing, advertising, media, publishing, digital, entertainment, content and social networking. They talk about the real world. They talk about human behavior. And they make you feel included in the conversation.
Real Issues. Real Solutions.
Media Hacks is not another group of talking heads discussing their lofty lives on top of the digital media space. It is six bright people working hard to improve the landscape, to reflect what is going on in the conversation and offer solutions. They don't always agree, they love to make fun of each other and Julien is usually good for an f-bomb or two.
Each podcast is free for download and runs 40-50 minutes. As Christopher Penn mentions, our time is precious. Well, this is well spent.
New thinking on new media from more mouths.
This is a initiative that has been formed by Mitch Joel, Christopher Penn, Hugh McGuire, Chris Brogan, Julien Smith and CC Chapman. Whenever the group gets together on the phone or in person (whist eating large sandwiches) it usually features three to six of the contributors. They add guests as well.
The Hacks discuss marketing, advertising, media, publishing, digital, entertainment, content and social networking. They talk about the real world. They talk about human behavior. And they make you feel included in the conversation.
Real Issues. Real Solutions.
Media Hacks is not another group of talking heads discussing their lofty lives on top of the digital media space. It is six bright people working hard to improve the landscape, to reflect what is going on in the conversation and offer solutions. They don't always agree, they love to make fun of each other and Julien is usually good for an f-bomb or two.
Each podcast is free for download and runs 40-50 minutes. As Christopher Penn mentions, our time is precious. Well, this is well spent.
March 16, 2009
Daylight and Money
Something interesting happens as the temperature begins to warm. In North America, the clocks have sprung forward to save daylight and in many areas the snow is melting and spring is coming soon. There seems to be a fresh optimism in the air despite the rough winter we had and the long recovery we may experience. For the most part we are essentially optimistic creatures.David Thackston wrote: “A positive effect that Daylight Saving Time has on the economy is that it gives people the opportunity to spend more time outside of their homes in the evenings, attending sports events, shopping, and in most all cases, spending money.”
What will happen this year as we all watch our spending?
More daylight does give us time to enjoy the outdoors more, get together with friends more and perhaps use our computers less while sharing time with each other. Perhaps this will give us needed time to discuss options and ideas. It may be a lost concept, but why don't we put down the tools and talk to each other out of the confines of our walls and social media spaces. Share Share Share
It may be radical to suggest we tweet less and share more. So, put the laptop away and enjoy some fresh air with colleagues and friends. We need to work harder, but more importantly we need to work smarter. Perhaps we need to spend less time on trivial things and more time on solutions.
How does this affect the types of entertainment we produce, the kinds of advertising messages we send and the ways in which we communicate socially?
knealemann
facebook ◦ twitter ◦ linkedin
photo credits:
www.lakecarey.com ◦ www.newsimg.bbc.co.uk ◦ www.carboncatalog.org
February 24, 2009
Not-So-Common Sense Revolution
"The philosophy of one century is the common sense of the next."
Henry Ward Beecher
As we all take a long look at all that we do, it has made us realize our strengths. If you haven't done this yet, it a worthy exercise.
Many media and entertainment colleagues are hanging on - in some cases - for dear life. And in other cases, there is a bright future.
But it got me thinking about common sense and status quo. We put things in boxes, we over analyze lowest common denominator and seek averages to keep us all happy. We don't rock any boats and if we step out there is a fear that our lack of conformity will get us into trouble. And we certainly wouldn't want to run the risk that someone may not like what we do, would we? Yawn.
"It is a thousand times better to have common sense without education than to have education without common sense."
Robert Green Ingersol
The music industry was rested on many pillars that were deemed true for far too long. The genie has crushed the bottle.
The publishing industry is going through radical change and consumers are driving this bus as well.
Newspaper outlets will survive and thrive again but a completely new mind set must occur or they can blame no one but themselves.
"Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen."
Albert Einstein
The phrase "common sense" should be stricken from our vernacular. It has caused mediocrity, laziness, assumption, arrogance and many other deadly sins. What is common and makes sense to you is where it stops.
"Common sense is the knack of seeing things as they are, and doing things as they ought to be done."
Harriet Beecher Stowe
This is not to say you and I may agree on virtually everything but we must look at the massive changes media is a going through to realize this can play in to your advantage.
So perhaps have another look your experience and your abilities with a fresh perspective. Don't throw anything away or assume what you know or what you have done is "common sense".
What are your thoughts?
What are your stories?
What is your common sense?
km
Henry Ward Beecher
As we all take a long look at all that we do, it has made us realize our strengths. If you haven't done this yet, it a worthy exercise.
Many media and entertainment colleagues are hanging on - in some cases - for dear life. And in other cases, there is a bright future.
But it got me thinking about common sense and status quo. We put things in boxes, we over analyze lowest common denominator and seek averages to keep us all happy. We don't rock any boats and if we step out there is a fear that our lack of conformity will get us into trouble. And we certainly wouldn't want to run the risk that someone may not like what we do, would we? Yawn.
"It is a thousand times better to have common sense without education than to have education without common sense."
Robert Green Ingersol
The music industry was rested on many pillars that were deemed true for far too long. The genie has crushed the bottle.
The publishing industry is going through radical change and consumers are driving this bus as well.
Newspaper outlets will survive and thrive again but a completely new mind set must occur or they can blame no one but themselves.
"Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen."
Albert Einstein
The phrase "common sense" should be stricken from our vernacular. It has caused mediocrity, laziness, assumption, arrogance and many other deadly sins. What is common and makes sense to you is where it stops.
"Common sense is the knack of seeing things as they are, and doing things as they ought to be done."
Harriet Beecher Stowe
This is not to say you and I may agree on virtually everything but we must look at the massive changes media is a going through to realize this can play in to your advantage.
So perhaps have another look your experience and your abilities with a fresh perspective. Don't throw anything away or assume what you know or what you have done is "common sense".
What are your thoughts?
What are your stories?
What is your common sense?
km
February 11, 2009
Sleeping Satellites
Is this the beginning of the end?
This is not news, this is not even shocking, and this has been on the way long before the economic downturn that is being used as the reason for all faltering businesses these days.
Bad business plans, crushing expenditures and time constraints will affect any company during any economic climate.
Satellite radio – as we know it – may be on the way out
This is bad news for investors and customers. Sirius and XM have spent millions attempting to beat terrestrial radio at their own game. They have done countless radio and television campaigns, purchased major sponsorship affiliations; hired Howard Stern for $100M U.S. a year, while offering hundreds of crystal clear “commercial free” radio choices.
The now merged venture is drowning in debt.
It was announced yesterday that Sirius XM is going to file for bankruptcy protection on Tuesday. The fingers are pointing in all directions on this mess.
This was not a newsflash for company officials this week. They have known the costs and timeline since inception. The price tag on a satellite is $1.5 to 2 Billion and building hundreds of audio entertainment choices then market them is an enormously costly endeavor.
To believe that Sirius XM management wasn’t aware is like saying that the people running AIG didn’t know about the problems until they were 80 Billion in debt. Wouldn't alarms go off at around (say) the 10-15 Billion mark?
A quote here from Business Week:
The few poor souls who still hold Sirius XM (SIRI) stock may get poorer still. "I'll lose $1 million," says Michael Hartleib, a longtime activist shareholder. "They completely destroyed a perfectly viable company." Shares of the company closed at 11.39¢ on Feb. 10 after The New York Times said the company is preparing for a possible filing for Chapter 11 protection from creditors. Sirius declined to comment on the report.
I have given the radio industry over two decades of my life, and it is one of my true loves. Radio can be immediate, can react quickly and can create magic.
But if you start a business with no money, convince a bank to lend you some, then rack up your line of credit miles past your company’s ability to see the top of the pile, it is doubtful that you will be able to build quickly enough to write black ink.
Sirius XM have balloon payments due this year in the millions - and there just isn't the money to pay them.
Subscription based radio remains a foreign idea to most people and the offering has to be sweeter. Tell me why I need to buy gear and pay a monthly fee. Apple seems to have found a way to do that.
Add to that, the troubles in the auto industry which is where a significant number of pre-installed units were giving listeners an introduction to the services. Less cars sold, less new listeners.
Other issues for radio include: dwindling younger demos listening to satellite or terrestrial radio as well as consistent and better content. A morning show and music all day isn't enough. And there is a large percentage of people under 20 whose lives don't include radio. Younger becomes older and older becomes the target audience very quickly.
More from the Business Week article:
A bankruptcy filing by Sirius XM would have widespread implications not just for holders of the satellite radio company's debt and shares, but also for millions of listeners and for the celebrities like Howard Stern whose fat paychecks have made it harder for the company to pay its other bills.
A lot has been said about the Stern contract and the price of satellites in the atmosphere and the debt load. At the core of the issue are the discussions that took place at that first meeting when the idea began.
Too often companies attempt to retro blame some unforeseen factor. Satellite radio is a cool idea, but not an overnight fix or quick money grab. Anyone who claims they didn’t know that is not being completely honest with themselves.
What are your thoughts about satellite radio? Tried it? Like it?
Do you want Sirius XM to survive?
km
This is not news, this is not even shocking, and this has been on the way long before the economic downturn that is being used as the reason for all faltering businesses these days.
Bad business plans, crushing expenditures and time constraints will affect any company during any economic climate.
Satellite radio – as we know it – may be on the way out
This is bad news for investors and customers. Sirius and XM have spent millions attempting to beat terrestrial radio at their own game. They have done countless radio and television campaigns, purchased major sponsorship affiliations; hired Howard Stern for $100M U.S. a year, while offering hundreds of crystal clear “commercial free” radio choices.
The now merged venture is drowning in debt.
It was announced yesterday that Sirius XM is going to file for bankruptcy protection on Tuesday. The fingers are pointing in all directions on this mess.
This was not a newsflash for company officials this week. They have known the costs and timeline since inception. The price tag on a satellite is $1.5 to 2 Billion and building hundreds of audio entertainment choices then market them is an enormously costly endeavor.
To believe that Sirius XM management wasn’t aware is like saying that the people running AIG didn’t know about the problems until they were 80 Billion in debt. Wouldn't alarms go off at around (say) the 10-15 Billion mark?
A quote here from Business Week:
The few poor souls who still hold Sirius XM (SIRI) stock may get poorer still. "I'll lose $1 million," says Michael Hartleib, a longtime activist shareholder. "They completely destroyed a perfectly viable company." Shares of the company closed at 11.39¢ on Feb. 10 after The New York Times said the company is preparing for a possible filing for Chapter 11 protection from creditors. Sirius declined to comment on the report.
I have given the radio industry over two decades of my life, and it is one of my true loves. Radio can be immediate, can react quickly and can create magic.
But if you start a business with no money, convince a bank to lend you some, then rack up your line of credit miles past your company’s ability to see the top of the pile, it is doubtful that you will be able to build quickly enough to write black ink.
Sirius XM have balloon payments due this year in the millions - and there just isn't the money to pay them.
Subscription based radio remains a foreign idea to most people and the offering has to be sweeter. Tell me why I need to buy gear and pay a monthly fee. Apple seems to have found a way to do that.
Add to that, the troubles in the auto industry which is where a significant number of pre-installed units were giving listeners an introduction to the services. Less cars sold, less new listeners.
Other issues for radio include: dwindling younger demos listening to satellite or terrestrial radio as well as consistent and better content. A morning show and music all day isn't enough. And there is a large percentage of people under 20 whose lives don't include radio. Younger becomes older and older becomes the target audience very quickly.
More from the Business Week article:
A bankruptcy filing by Sirius XM would have widespread implications not just for holders of the satellite radio company's debt and shares, but also for millions of listeners and for the celebrities like Howard Stern whose fat paychecks have made it harder for the company to pay its other bills.
A lot has been said about the Stern contract and the price of satellites in the atmosphere and the debt load. At the core of the issue are the discussions that took place at that first meeting when the idea began.
Too often companies attempt to retro blame some unforeseen factor. Satellite radio is a cool idea, but not an overnight fix or quick money grab. Anyone who claims they didn’t know that is not being completely honest with themselves.
What are your thoughts about satellite radio? Tried it? Like it?
Do you want Sirius XM to survive?
km
February 9, 2009
Putting On A Brave Face
A preoccupation with the future not only prevents us from seeing the present as it is but often prompts us to rearrange the past.
Eric Hoffer
A few years ago, I was having lunch with a friend who was experiencing a stalled career and some trouble in his marriage. We met at a packed food court at a mall – not the most private of locales for such conversation – but it gave me the chance to make a vivid comparison.
I asked him to look around the busy food court and find people who were late on their credit card payments, those who were deep in debt, the ones who were having trouble with their relationships or jobs. He saw a group of people who all seemed to have it figured out.
Stiff Upper Lip
The most dangerous untruths are truths moderately distorted.
Georg Christoph Lichtenberg
We all seem to have it figured out. We keep a smile on for the masses and our best foot forward. I was not suggesting we all walk around with our head in our hands, but I was pointing out that everyone goes through tough stuff.
Possible Good News
A people that values privileges above principles soon loses both.
Dwight D. Eisenhower
If there is a silver lining in the world economic crisis, it would be that we are now allowed to be honest and there is a desire for others to reciprocate. History tells us that we will turn this around. History also teaches us that unless we learn from this experience, it will repeat.
The solution to the crisis is not for us to throw our hands in the air or run through the streets crying, but a little honesty wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing.
Never Let Them See You Sweat
Journalism is literature in a hurry.
Matthew Arnold
I’ve been in the media, writing, entertainment, marketing and promotion industries my entire career. We have to work hard so it seems we haven’t made an effort.
If you've ever been inside a radio station or been on a film set, you may have an idea of how much panic may go on behind-the-scenes so the final product is right.
Not All The Kids Like Honesty
Honesty is the rarest wealth anyone can possess, and yet all the honesty in the world ain't lawful tender for a loaf of bread.
Josh Billings
There was a scary report on Dateline NBC last night featuring Elizabeth Warren. She is a law professor at Harvard and has been hired by President Obama as the head of the congressional oversight panel for the U.S. government bailout program.
When asked how the government has been tracking the money, she said that before she was hired, the Bush Administration had not been tracking it at all. Companies have been receiving lumps of cash and haven’t been forced to account for where it goes past the front door. That is idiotic and dangerous. But don't look too deep for a soul inside the CEO of a company that was just given several billion in government handouts.
Some have taken the brave face a little too far and honesty not far enough.
Could we benefit from a little more honesty?
km
despair.com
Eric Hoffer
A few years ago, I was having lunch with a friend who was experiencing a stalled career and some trouble in his marriage. We met at a packed food court at a mall – not the most private of locales for such conversation – but it gave me the chance to make a vivid comparison.
I asked him to look around the busy food court and find people who were late on their credit card payments, those who were deep in debt, the ones who were having trouble with their relationships or jobs. He saw a group of people who all seemed to have it figured out.
Stiff Upper Lip
The most dangerous untruths are truths moderately distorted.
Georg Christoph Lichtenberg
We all seem to have it figured out. We keep a smile on for the masses and our best foot forward. I was not suggesting we all walk around with our head in our hands, but I was pointing out that everyone goes through tough stuff.
Possible Good News
A people that values privileges above principles soon loses both.
Dwight D. Eisenhower
If there is a silver lining in the world economic crisis, it would be that we are now allowed to be honest and there is a desire for others to reciprocate. History tells us that we will turn this around. History also teaches us that unless we learn from this experience, it will repeat.
The solution to the crisis is not for us to throw our hands in the air or run through the streets crying, but a little honesty wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing.
Never Let Them See You Sweat
Journalism is literature in a hurry.
Matthew Arnold
I’ve been in the media, writing, entertainment, marketing and promotion industries my entire career. We have to work hard so it seems we haven’t made an effort.
If you've ever been inside a radio station or been on a film set, you may have an idea of how much panic may go on behind-the-scenes so the final product is right.
Not All The Kids Like Honesty
Honesty is the rarest wealth anyone can possess, and yet all the honesty in the world ain't lawful tender for a loaf of bread.
Josh Billings
There was a scary report on Dateline NBC last night featuring Elizabeth Warren. She is a law professor at Harvard and has been hired by President Obama as the head of the congressional oversight panel for the U.S. government bailout program.
When asked how the government has been tracking the money, she said that before she was hired, the Bush Administration had not been tracking it at all. Companies have been receiving lumps of cash and haven’t been forced to account for where it goes past the front door. That is idiotic and dangerous. But don't look too deep for a soul inside the CEO of a company that was just given several billion in government handouts.
Some have taken the brave face a little too far and honesty not far enough.
Could we benefit from a little more honesty?
km
despair.com
December 5, 2008
Did You Know? Should You Know? Will You Know?
What's old may not necessarily be new again
I was speaking with a music industry exec today about ideas and how quickly they move through his office. This is a forward-thinking guy, always has been. He is still full of passion and ideas. He told me of a recent project he brought forward along with twenty possible executions. He holds hope that - if he's lucky - one or two will be accepted, adapted and implemented. The reason: because the way they've done it in the past is the way they're going to do it in the future.
This is not a shot against the music industry – the bruises have already reached bone – but it’s a reflection of the fact that the world is constantly changing.
What worked literally yesterday, may no longer be relevant.
Careers and Journeys
There was a day not too long ago, where the badge of honor was to stay in the same job or company for your entire career. My grandfather retired at age 55 with the gold watch after working for the same company since he left high school. Yes, he actually got a gold watch.
Today, it is common to work at several projects or companies at the same time, and travel through 8-10 or more careers - not jobs - in your lifetime. And that number will only increase.
Never Stop Searching
There are currently more scientists alive today than in any other time in history, combined. Medical research is creating longer lives. Technological advancements are giving us more opportunies to explore and create.
There are close to 7 Billion of us all crammed on less than one third of the area of Earth all trying to coexist and co-create. Unless there are challenges far too difficult to overcome, humans can do anything. The fact that anyone can write or read this blog is a freedom we can’t take for granted.
Exploration Never Ends
We are overwhelmed with information and the only guarantee I can ever make is that it won’t stop. It won’t even slow down. We are ravenous for information and content, and we are producing it constantly.
We Are Different But The Same
I often speak of integration with regards to media and entertainment. This is because I am fascinated by teamwork and how to meld two factions into one successful project. The world is one big integrated model – and as you know, it doesn’t usually meld that easily.
Did You Know?
Someone sent me a piece produced by SonyBMG which was first shown in Rome. You may have seen it, or I may have sent it to you. It’s called "Did You Know 3.0"
Give this five minutes of your life - it is worth it. If it scares you, it may be time for a splash of reality. If it excites you, brilliant!
km
SonyBMG: Rome'08 Did You Know 3.0
Music: Fatboy Slim - Right Here Right Now
I was speaking with a music industry exec today about ideas and how quickly they move through his office. This is a forward-thinking guy, always has been. He is still full of passion and ideas. He told me of a recent project he brought forward along with twenty possible executions. He holds hope that - if he's lucky - one or two will be accepted, adapted and implemented. The reason: because the way they've done it in the past is the way they're going to do it in the future.
This is not a shot against the music industry – the bruises have already reached bone – but it’s a reflection of the fact that the world is constantly changing.
What worked literally yesterday, may no longer be relevant.
Careers and Journeys
There was a day not too long ago, where the badge of honor was to stay in the same job or company for your entire career. My grandfather retired at age 55 with the gold watch after working for the same company since he left high school. Yes, he actually got a gold watch.
Today, it is common to work at several projects or companies at the same time, and travel through 8-10 or more careers - not jobs - in your lifetime. And that number will only increase.
Never Stop Searching
There are currently more scientists alive today than in any other time in history, combined. Medical research is creating longer lives. Technological advancements are giving us more opportunies to explore and create.
There are close to 7 Billion of us all crammed on less than one third of the area of Earth all trying to coexist and co-create. Unless there are challenges far too difficult to overcome, humans can do anything. The fact that anyone can write or read this blog is a freedom we can’t take for granted.
Exploration Never Ends
We are overwhelmed with information and the only guarantee I can ever make is that it won’t stop. It won’t even slow down. We are ravenous for information and content, and we are producing it constantly.
We Are Different But The Same
I often speak of integration with regards to media and entertainment. This is because I am fascinated by teamwork and how to meld two factions into one successful project. The world is one big integrated model – and as you know, it doesn’t usually meld that easily.
Did You Know?
Someone sent me a piece produced by SonyBMG which was first shown in Rome. You may have seen it, or I may have sent it to you. It’s called "Did You Know 3.0"
Give this five minutes of your life - it is worth it. If it scares you, it may be time for a splash of reality. If it excites you, brilliant!
km
SonyBMG: Rome'08 Did You Know 3.0
Music: Fatboy Slim - Right Here Right Now
October 30, 2008
Anytime After Now
Few among us have mastered the art of consistently making swift decisions and trust our instincts. The important word is "consistently".
You will notice that most successful people make quick decisions. They aren’t always right, but by the time you and I deliberate over moving an inch, they have made a second decision to correct their original one and made it right. Malcolm Gladwell's new book The Outliers discusses the character traits of highly successful people.
I once worked with a guy would spout the “ready shoot aim” approach. You do need to do some aiming before hauling out the guns. But we can all be guilty of the “read aim pause think wonder aim again maybe shoot” approach.
With the boomerang that is now the global economy, people are scared and cautious. I spoke with a colleague yesterday who said that he has lost 40% of his retirement savings in the last two months! That ripples in to businesses and business decisions.
Creativity is needed right now. Decisions are needed right now. Open communication is needed right now. Anytime after now.
Or we can hide and hope and make no decisions. Some brave ones will make them on our behalf and we won't be in the position to complain about the outcome.
km
You will notice that most successful people make quick decisions. They aren’t always right, but by the time you and I deliberate over moving an inch, they have made a second decision to correct their original one and made it right. Malcolm Gladwell's new book The Outliers discusses the character traits of highly successful people.
I once worked with a guy would spout the “ready shoot aim” approach. You do need to do some aiming before hauling out the guns. But we can all be guilty of the “read aim pause think wonder aim again maybe shoot” approach.
With the boomerang that is now the global economy, people are scared and cautious. I spoke with a colleague yesterday who said that he has lost 40% of his retirement savings in the last two months! That ripples in to businesses and business decisions.
Creativity is needed right now. Decisions are needed right now. Open communication is needed right now. Anytime after now.
Or we can hide and hope and make no decisions. Some brave ones will make them on our behalf and we won't be in the position to complain about the outcome.
km
October 28, 2008
Mass Media vs. Integration
Have you experienced the raccoon in the headlights yet? You know those times when you are trying to explain that the way things used to be done, can't be done as well anymore?
The story is paramount, what you want to portray in your commercial, show, or website is crucial to success. But simply exposing the message or story solely through traditional channels may not be the wisest strategy anymore.
The price of admission is not simply being in the game – that’s not good enough and it’s dangerous. Some ideas aren’t ready. Plastering your message on a billboard or integrating a storyline in to your product are tactics used once you can realistically manage your expectations.
With television, visual and online productions we find clients are struggling with social media options and smaller but more accurate metrics. With integration and the Internet, it is increasingly more difficult and expensive to reach your potential audience with a wide aimless swath.
I equate it to an independent band. In the early days, the buzz is created by a tiny group of early adopters who shared the music and story with their friends. The influencers keep the story going while the band kept making music and doing shows.
Long gone are the days a when band would release a collection of songs on a piece of plastic and sell it in a retail setting, or sell it at all. That may work for Britney and AC/DC but most bands (and companies) need to look at a new reality. Not even the overexposed are selling like they used to.
Mass media will no longer solve all problems or provide the same solutions as it did in the past. Face it, not everyone is Microsoft or Apple with deep pockets to blanket the new and the old realities. The rest of us need to be careful and make choices.
There are more options for both the content provider and the audience. It takes patience and courage to navigate the minefield. Without the right targeted message or story, you may as well spend your money on something else.
There are no winning lottery tickets here. Formulas and templates are tougher to retrofit these days. This will take some time.
As we discover new options with the integration of entertainment and advertising, we must remember that if you live on the edge, you can’t expect a crowd.
km
The story is paramount, what you want to portray in your commercial, show, or website is crucial to success. But simply exposing the message or story solely through traditional channels may not be the wisest strategy anymore.
The price of admission is not simply being in the game – that’s not good enough and it’s dangerous. Some ideas aren’t ready. Plastering your message on a billboard or integrating a storyline in to your product are tactics used once you can realistically manage your expectations.
With television, visual and online productions we find clients are struggling with social media options and smaller but more accurate metrics. With integration and the Internet, it is increasingly more difficult and expensive to reach your potential audience with a wide aimless swath.
I equate it to an independent band. In the early days, the buzz is created by a tiny group of early adopters who shared the music and story with their friends. The influencers keep the story going while the band kept making music and doing shows.
Long gone are the days a when band would release a collection of songs on a piece of plastic and sell it in a retail setting, or sell it at all. That may work for Britney and AC/DC but most bands (and companies) need to look at a new reality. Not even the overexposed are selling like they used to.
Mass media will no longer solve all problems or provide the same solutions as it did in the past. Face it, not everyone is Microsoft or Apple with deep pockets to blanket the new and the old realities. The rest of us need to be careful and make choices.
There are more options for both the content provider and the audience. It takes patience and courage to navigate the minefield. Without the right targeted message or story, you may as well spend your money on something else.
There are no winning lottery tickets here. Formulas and templates are tougher to retrofit these days. This will take some time.
As we discover new options with the integration of entertainment and advertising, we must remember that if you live on the edge, you can’t expect a crowd.
km
October 15, 2008
Do They Care? Should We Care?
Someone much more cynical than me once coined the phrase “no one cares more about you, than you”. We all have friends and family and close colleagues, but other than that who really cares about us?
I have found some wonderful new friends through social media and those friendships and business connections have grown my personal network of people I care about. I’m sure you have too. The electronic way we all connect has given us the chance to meet people we would have otherwise never met.
But let’s do some rough math. There are approximately 6.7 billion on the planet and if we’re lucky we each have a handful of people who truly care about us and want us to do well. And vice-versa.
This doesn’t mean the rest wish us ill or harm, they simply don’t have that kind of time. People are busy. They are busy worrying about their lives and so are you.
It’s interesting to note how much we as enlightened humans care about what others think of us. That makes us compassionate but it also makes us borderline neurotic. If you have ever lost your job or changed companies, or shifted industries, the cliché is true – you find out who your friends are. Blame proximity, but people move on. And so do you.
This experiment gets even more interesting in business because we have gotten to a point where the degree on your wall or what you did in the past means less and less.
But what we should deem more important is how fast we can think on our feet, how creative we are with our minds, how well we can adapt, communicate and share.
StumbleUpon conducted a behavioral study last year. After gathering the data, they split up the sample of 1,000 people into five categories; Happy-Go-Luckys, Purists, Emotionals, Owners and Destroyers.
The Happy-Go-Luckys were the group that sifted through pages quickly but didn't stop to make negative comments because - as it said in the report; "There is enough negativity sapping the world so there was just no need to add more." This is a group that didn't care what others said about them nor felt it was necessary to make negative comments without reason. Benign behavior not vindictive. Remember that the next time someone fails to return an email - it may not mean anything.
The more we worry about what others think of us and what they think of our ideas, the more we dismiss those ideas and who we are. And hence stifle our growth.
The brilliant Sir Ken Robinson explains it much better than me when he discusses education and creativity. If you haven’t watched this TEDTalk it’s twenty minutes well spent.
km
I have found some wonderful new friends through social media and those friendships and business connections have grown my personal network of people I care about. I’m sure you have too. The electronic way we all connect has given us the chance to meet people we would have otherwise never met.
But let’s do some rough math. There are approximately 6.7 billion on the planet and if we’re lucky we each have a handful of people who truly care about us and want us to do well. And vice-versa.
This doesn’t mean the rest wish us ill or harm, they simply don’t have that kind of time. People are busy. They are busy worrying about their lives and so are you.
It’s interesting to note how much we as enlightened humans care about what others think of us. That makes us compassionate but it also makes us borderline neurotic. If you have ever lost your job or changed companies, or shifted industries, the cliché is true – you find out who your friends are. Blame proximity, but people move on. And so do you.
This experiment gets even more interesting in business because we have gotten to a point where the degree on your wall or what you did in the past means less and less.
But what we should deem more important is how fast we can think on our feet, how creative we are with our minds, how well we can adapt, communicate and share.
StumbleUpon conducted a behavioral study last year. After gathering the data, they split up the sample of 1,000 people into five categories; Happy-Go-Luckys, Purists, Emotionals, Owners and Destroyers.
The Happy-Go-Luckys were the group that sifted through pages quickly but didn't stop to make negative comments because - as it said in the report; "There is enough negativity sapping the world so there was just no need to add more." This is a group that didn't care what others said about them nor felt it was necessary to make negative comments without reason. Benign behavior not vindictive. Remember that the next time someone fails to return an email - it may not mean anything.
The more we worry about what others think of us and what they think of our ideas, the more we dismiss those ideas and who we are. And hence stifle our growth.
The brilliant Sir Ken Robinson explains it much better than me when he discusses education and creativity. If you haven’t watched this TEDTalk it’s twenty minutes well spent.
km
October 9, 2008
I Got Nuthin'
I am constantly inspired by what I read on a daily basis. There are people writing about media and music and entertainment and integrated content, and the digital space.
The price of admission to this word is to contribute. But c’mon, you have them too – those days when you got nuthin’. My as my mom and millions before her would say “if you have nothing good to say, don’t say anything”. But I feel the day is incomplete without sharing something.
So I will share one thing about social networking that astounds me. There are people I have met in the last six months who have affected me profoundly. I would have never met them if it was not for this revolutionary connector called social media.
People come in and out of lives and we do the same in theirs for a multitude of reasons. Some people you may have known for years but have never really gotten to know while others you may have known for a short time have become great friends.
The connections we make in this shrunken world can often defy logic. I have been given access to business ideas from people I admire, made great social friends through connecting about business, and I have even had the chance to meet quite a few at conventions, podcamps and meet-ups.
If you do this already, it’s second nature. If you don’t, don’t be scared we’re all just people. Damn, I forgot to quote an article or expound some intricate concept. Oh well, there’s always tomorrow.
km
The price of admission to this word is to contribute. But c’mon, you have them too – those days when you got nuthin’. My as my mom and millions before her would say “if you have nothing good to say, don’t say anything”. But I feel the day is incomplete without sharing something.
So I will share one thing about social networking that astounds me. There are people I have met in the last six months who have affected me profoundly. I would have never met them if it was not for this revolutionary connector called social media.
People come in and out of lives and we do the same in theirs for a multitude of reasons. Some people you may have known for years but have never really gotten to know while others you may have known for a short time have become great friends.
The connections we make in this shrunken world can often defy logic. I have been given access to business ideas from people I admire, made great social friends through connecting about business, and I have even had the chance to meet quite a few at conventions, podcamps and meet-ups.
If you do this already, it’s second nature. If you don’t, don’t be scared we’re all just people. Damn, I forgot to quote an article or expound some intricate concept. Oh well, there’s always tomorrow.
km
October 7, 2008
The C Word
I have come to the realization that the monetization of content is akin to a category six hurricane. And it has just begun. We are all trying to figure it out.
We all want control of our environment. We all want to eventually make some money to pay our bills while we create content for each other. And all the while, the back alley is full of thieves whose sole purpose is to steal any content we create without paying for it. Yes, I do agree with sharing and the community, but this is about how we can all thrive together.
Content is as difficult to define as religion. I subscribe to three key elements with regards to content – it must be good, it must be interesting, it must be worthy of my time. The problem is that the beauty of content is in the ears and eyes of the beholder. We all want different things.
Scott Kirsner is the author of an excellent blog entitled Cinema Tech, a columnist with The Boston Globe, and a writer with Variety. Scott is passionate about technology, the entertainment industry and digital media which are a passions of mine as well. I am riveted to this stuff!
Scott recently spoke with Todd Dagres who is founder and general partner at Spark Capital which is a venture capital company in the digital media realm.
They discuss the entertainment industry and the c-word. This is an excellent conversation with two guys who tell it straight.
Click Here
km
We all want control of our environment. We all want to eventually make some money to pay our bills while we create content for each other. And all the while, the back alley is full of thieves whose sole purpose is to steal any content we create without paying for it. Yes, I do agree with sharing and the community, but this is about how we can all thrive together.
Content is as difficult to define as religion. I subscribe to three key elements with regards to content – it must be good, it must be interesting, it must be worthy of my time. The problem is that the beauty of content is in the ears and eyes of the beholder. We all want different things.
Scott Kirsner is the author of an excellent blog entitled Cinema Tech, a columnist with The Boston Globe, and a writer with Variety. Scott is passionate about technology, the entertainment industry and digital media which are a passions of mine as well. I am riveted to this stuff!
Scott recently spoke with Todd Dagres who is founder and general partner at Spark Capital which is a venture capital company in the digital media realm.
They discuss the entertainment industry and the c-word. This is an excellent conversation with two guys who tell it straight.
Click Here
km
