Today's Notable Quote: "The bottom line is that there is still no better way to reach a mass audience." - Jeff Zucker, chief executive of General Electric Company's NBC Universal Television Group.
Do you watch commercials? Nielsen and the Networks want to know. Multi-million (billion) dollar ad budgets are hanging in the balance in a rapidly-changing media world.
The new Nielsen "box" and remote control will indicate to the information-capturing company whether or not you watch, walk, or "skip" (if you own a DVR). So, if you are a Nielsen household, I guess you could say "while you're watching, they're watching".
With the increasing proliferation of media choices, more and more pressure is being placed on the shoulders of ad executives and manufacturers to find new and different ways to attract our attention--if only for a few moments--if only "in-between" our favorite tv shows.
In his book Data Smog, author David Shenk estimates that Americans are exposed to 3,000 commercial messages daily. Sorting out these messages becomes more and more challenging as the lines between "private time" and time spent in the public domain continue to blur. Television is but one example of the continuing intrusion of media--whether hand-held, wall-mounted, etc.
I intentionally seek out places where I can find peace and quiet, solitude, sanctuary...away from the inane babbling of the television, radio, ipods, BlackBerrys, cell phones, etc. It is practically impossible to read, think or meditate with someone else's univited voice ringing in your head.
Enjoy reading the linked article from the WSJ, and watching (or not) your favorite commercials.
How many people actually watch TV commercials?
A portrait of today's "connected" family...
