Solutions Talk

Google Idol...

Today's Notable Quote: "It's a big idea on a global scale,' he said. 'It will change television in much the way iTunes changed the way music is disseminated." - James Robinson, from his November 11 article in The Observer.

Google me a "hit-maker"...a Superstar...make that a Megastar...hold the ham...

Fresh from the British Press--a story (built on a secret) about how Google and Simon Fuller of American Idol are planning to change the way we view our "Idols". Read on...Google turns to X Factor's Fuller for push into TV

Will many soon be vying for "online fame"?...

Customizing to Commodify or Commoditize?

Notable Quote:  "If scarcity isn't your primary method for generating demand, then getting your product or service into as many hands, mouths and minds possible is. The ideas, products or services that spread the most usually win.  Today and more so tomorrow, that means letting go of the control you're accustomed to." - Ben McConnell from the Church of the Customer weblog.

The British band Radiohead is allowing the marketplace to "name its price" when purchasing their newest album. How's this working out? Visit their website at this address to learn more about it: http://www.inrainbows.com/Store/index3.html - or you can read more about this phenomenon in the Church of the Customer Blog . Very interesting stuff...

Ronald McDonald on the Airwaves...

Today's Notable Quote: "A clown is like aspirin, only he works twice as fast." - Groucho Marx (1890 - 1977).

I was looking through some YouTube videos recently, and wondered if they had any of the "classic" ads featuring TV News/weather personality Willard Scott in his role as Ronald McDonald.  The following is one which was posted by WookieCookie in April of 2006. It provides 30 seconds of nostalgia, and reminds us how simple the TV ad communication process was in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s - before the Internet, Cable, Cellphones and the various types of CGM (Consumer-generated media). Enjoy!

Why ET? Why, why, WHY?...

Notable Quote: "ET EXCLUSIVE: Go behind the scenes of the Anna Nicole Smith movie for the chilling reenactment of the day Daniel died."

When I heard the radio ad for the Monday edition of "Entertainment Tonight", hosted by the golden-voiced Mary Hart... I thought to myself "surely the program is not still attempting to capitalize on the sad life and death of that young woman" (Anna Nicole Smith). I was wrong. My question is...who watches this "investigative reporting extraordinaire"?  The same people who line up and pay to see movies like "Saw" and "Hostel"?  Weren't the weeks and weeks of  "real" news coverage enough to sate the appetites of those who would yearn to know every sad, misguided moment of this woman's life?

Unbelievable. In case you think I'm over-reacting...I've included a link to coverage on tonight's big episode:  "The Death of Daniel" re-enactment for your enlightenment. Endure...Daniel's Death Scene

ET: Tonight's show is a "Public Disservice"--ratings or no...

Redbox Rentals are "Catching on"...

Today's Notable Quote: "We've just been growing like crazy," said Greg Waring, vice president of marketing for Redbox, which is based in Illinois.

Watch out Blockbuster, Hollywood Video, and others! A "Small Phenomenon" is quietly growing (and none to slowly)--taking market share by offering an irresistible combination of convenience, selection, and low-pricing. According to the following article from today's Washington Post, there are now more than 3,000 Redbox DVD vending machines (not counting other similar vending units) across the U.S. Redbox Finds Its Niche

MFV: Barack serenades Hillary...

eSome people have way too much time on their hands...I found the following YouTube "Mashup" while on a layover in Atlanta this week. Enjoy!

Forgive Imus...Never!

Notable Quote:  "We, the Rutgers University Scarlet Knight basketball team, accept Mr. Imus' apology, and we are in the process of forgiving," Coach C.  Vivian Stringer read from a team statement a day after the women met personally with Imus and his wife. The women's basketball coach went on to say: "We still find his statements to be unacceptable, and this is an experience that we will never forget."

It is interesting that the coach and team to whom Mr. Imus' missives were fired are willing to forgive and "move on"...while Mr. Sharpton, the network and certain sponsors are not.  I wonder where Rosie O'Donnell, Paris, Brittney and the gang at American Idol weigh in on this topic? Rutgers Team: We Accept Imus Apology

Bono: "Don't call me Sir..."

Notable Quote: "You have permission to call me anything you want _ except sir, all right? Lord of lords, your demigodness, that'll do." - Irish rock star and global humanitarian Paul Hewson - aka Bono, front man for the Irish Band U2, following his being named a Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in an informal, laugh-filled ceremony in the Dublin home of British Ambassador David Reddaway.

Sir Paul? Sir Bono? Evidently neither sits well with the world-renowned Rocker and Humanitarian Bono, according to the following article from today's Washington Post.  Bono's youngest son reportedly thought that dad was set to become a Jedi Knight. U2's Bono Awarded British Knighthood

U2's Bono "Knighted" in a recent ceremony...

Freedom of Content/Freedom of Choice

Notable Quote: "The people, not Network Executives, will decide." -Steve Dragoo

Watch and wait. Things are just starting to heat up...Industry giants in media and entertainment are joining forces to build a network for showing movies and television shows on the Web, creating an Internet alliance of unprecedented reach to protect copyrighted content while feeding demand for online versions of popular programs.

Protect content and feed demand...is the above statement an oxymoron, or what??

Battle lines are being drawn. Ultimately, if given the option, the people will decide who "wins".  It's not necessarily about content--its really about creative control. As I understand it, the appeal of YouTube is not in its "high-tech" graphics, creative content, or "free access" to network shows--it is about having fun and creating what you want to see and share--when and with whom you want to see and share it.

Gore's Continuous Reinvention

Today's Notable Quote: "My fellow Americans, people all over the world, we need to solve the climate crisis." - Al Gore, film narrator, private citizen at last night's 79h annual Academy Awards.

I find it interesting to look at the archived news coverage of Al and Tipper Gore over the past 20 years and see how they have constantly sought to reinvent themselves. This current campaign is yet another example of a man seeking a mission that will resonate with a broad audience.

He stated last night (hint/hint...wink/wink that he had no plans at this time to run for public office. Aw, come on Al...why not toss your fedora into the ring alongside Barrack, Biden, and Billary...

The win was a triumph for Gore, who has kept a sense of humor

Orange you glad someone else did your makeup for last night's acceptance speech?