As American's continue to customize almost every aspect of their lives, a new site,channels.com simplifies your video-browsing experience by aggregating your favorite show's video content to  your own personalized page.

The site's format is similar to subscribing to an RSS feed through Google Reader or similar readers.Some video feeds come straight from the parent site, I.E. Pardon the Interruption from ESPN, while others come from Hulu.

After  a quick registration process, you select the genres of videos you DON'T want to subscribe to. I tried to register with all the genres,selected, and it wouldn't process my request. Apparently, that's a bug they're still working on.

Once you've selected the genres, you can search for the video feed of  your favorite show or site. The next page shows the results and lists available feeds. Once you locate the feeds you want, you click, subscribe, and it will be automatically added to your "my subscriptions" page.

 As online video viewership continues to soar,some key questions to ponder are:

 *How deep of an impact could sites such as channels.com make on the future of  advertising if users stay on one page instead of navigating through their daily routine of sites?

* On that note, will channels.com inspire the creation of similar  video aggregate sites that cumulatively revolutionize the way we browse?

I recently credited Ocarina Networks for having the foresight  to create data storage optimization solutions. Rapid growth in data with declining space inhibits many ambitious companies from expansion. As a result,even  giants such as Google, are searching far and wide for answers.

At the Tech Target's Storage Decisions Conference this week, Ocarina announced its updated ECO system-Extract, Correlate, and Optimize .Ocarina claims the enhancement will deliver a 10:1 reduction in complex files such as email,photos,video and similar types. Ocarina's algorithms combine "compression,deduplication and patented Ocarina information extraction", which allow customers to fully utilize the data space they already have.

How is the compression process possible? Ocarina explains it as a "new tier" of storage called "capacity-optimized" storage or the "O" Tier. New "O" Tier functions include EcOmove and ECOsnap, Virtual Global Namespace and Media and Entertainment Post-production file type support.

ECOmove:  Based on policy a file can be moved from primary storage, optimized, and written to a more cost-effective "O" Tier storage platform in a single step.

ECOsnap: Time-sequenced daily snapshots of storage, in which each
day's files are re-compressed and deduped relative to previous
versions in content-aware ways. 

 Virtual Global Namespace: Implement a single view to all files
that have been optimized by Ocarina. Users see a single namespace,
showing files in their original location and size. Behind the scenes
Ocarina has drastically reduced the size of the files and can place
them on multiple physical filers from multiple vendors.

 This latest move shows that Ocarina is expanding on its proven methods to find more solutions to satisfy the growing demands needs from its current customers as well as future ones.

I-tunes may have a new competitor on the rise. Four major record labels signed with  Myspace and Amazon to provide Myspace Music. With the new service, Myspace members can stream songs on-demand, create free playlists and instantly purchase the their listed Isongs from Amazon's MP3 store.

One of Myspace's oustanding characteristics is the fact that it's DRM (Digital Rights Management) Free.DRM reduces user access and distribution of music. To eliminate DRM, Myspace is compensating by wrapping advertisements around the song player. In his interview with Wired, MySpace COO Amit Kapur said their model is to align the interests of every party involved, from the artist, to the listener.

How do we align the interests of every constituent involved in this process? And that is what we believe we've done...No restrictions will exist in terms of jumping from one song to another and you'll be able to add songs to your playlists directly from other people's playlists.

I decided to build my own playlist, and I have a few observations:

1. Most of my favorite bands were available, but not every song by that respective artist was available. I.E.- I added "Austin" by Blake Shelton and his other hit "Ol Red"  (which was submitted by a user, not  the artist.)was listed, but when I tried to play it, the player skipped to the next song. Since the song was submitted by a user, not the record company, so you have to pay attention to the icon next to the song title, or you'll fill your player with empty songs.

2. I was disappointed to discover that the playlist designated for your profile can only contain 10 songs. Most CDs (You remember what those are, right?) contain 12-15 songs, so it would have been nice to give us more.

3. It's a nice luxury to have unlimited playlists at your disposal, but I wonder how many people will bother to create these extra playlists if they already have an organized library such as I-Tunes already installed.

I've criticized Myspace recently, but I think this move shows that they're finally moving in the right direction and expanding to a wider and more diverse audience. I just wonder if they'll be reach that larger audience that's never even created a profile. It will be interesting to see how quickly this music service spreads.
 

 

The heavily anticipated debut of Google/T-mobile Android phone created a media splash, but not the ripple effect Google desired. Due to its comparatively late release, the "Iphone-Killer" Android wasn't hailed as a revolutionary device, but it wasn't labeled a total flop either.The isn't great news for Google, T-mobile or the manufacturer, HTC.

According to Visible Technologies, which specializes in social media analysis, chatter regarding the gadget quintripled in the hours leading up to the debut, but the blogger,twitter and news media response was "overwhelmingly and simply neutral".

Visible Technologies gathers the data from  TruCast
solution, the company's social media analysis and engagement platform.

Here are two of the charts regarding feedback from the Android debut Trucast produced,courtesy of Visible Technologies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The results found:

• The most opinionated comments came from the Twitter community, where the 140-character maximum demands concise thought.
• Bloggers and news media-with more ink space to ruminate-were generally objective in their posts about Android on the HTC phone.
• The vast majority, if not all, of the negative comments about Android were made in comparison to the iPhone. The highest volume of coverage came from news media sites.

The good news is the high percentage of positive respones, but the negative response results indicate that Google,compared to Apple, is perceived by some as the little brother with inferiority complex. Apple's main advantage was that it already had the upper hand in public perception and consumer loyalty.This identity struggle could develop into something similar to the ongoing Mac vs. Microsoft battle.  As Google prepares its advertising blitz for the holiday shopping season, I can't help but wonder how deep they'll dig into the blogosphere and social networks before they form their advertising model.

If Google's top priority is to convert the rabidly loyal Iphone users to their product, it must distinguish its brand as unique (multiple models available) and adaptable (open to any app developers.  The rest of Google's focus should be on the Apple-free market, who is just looking to upgrade from their boring, standard cellphone.

 We're all guilty of the occasional slip of the finger, and John Lieberman, CEO of Typobuddy, realized that each typo has the potential to become an amazing asset or a devastating liability.  As a result, Lieberman developed typobuddy.com, where you can search for items that you may have overlooked due to a spelling error by the merchant.

According to the site, some of the most commonly misspelled brand names are:

•  Abercrombie
•  Banana Republic
•  Callaway Golf
•  Coach
•  Disney

I decided to test the site for myself, and I entered" Nike" into the search engine, which produced 200 typo results for ebay. On the first page, 12 of the 17 items had no bids. Also, I was slightly amused by the fact that one of the items was a game-worn University of North Carolina football jersey, labeled "Genuine NKE UNC Tarheel Football Team Jersey #73, Sz 46. (The only reason I laughed is because I'm a life-long fan of UNC's rival-  Duke.)

In addition to the search engine, Lieberman also devoted an entire blog to misspellings. If you think you're having a stressful day at work, consider some of the errors that cost these companies thousands or millions of dollars.

A New York City Department of Education bookkeeping error resulted in
double spending in the city's transportation fund.... resulted in $2.8 million being spent in what was only supposed to be $1.4 million earmarked for transportation. The city had to make up the difference.

In September 2006, A trader at Mizuho Securities accidentally sold 610,000 shares in J-Com Co. (a job recruiting company) for 1 yen a piece, instead of 1 share at 610,000 yen. Unable to cancel the order Mizuho Securities has lost roughly $340 million as a result.

Other typos resulted in better fortune.

A Student at Stanford University, Sean Anderson accidentally helped Larry Page come up with the name and spelling of Google. While Page and Anderson were in Page’s office, the two were attempting to come up for a name for the would-be search behemoth. Sean had suggested verbally the word googolplex, spurning Page to shorten it to googol. Anderson then went to check the availability of the word, accidentally spelling it Google in an internet domain name registry. Available it was, and the company has decided to go with this spelling ever since. Whether or not the company has succeeded because of the name is subject to some speculation, it is very interesting to see what has become of a basic spelling error.

 John Lieberman and his site Typobuddy.com proves that one man's loss can truly be another man's gain and that a unique perspective can convert misfortune into a new opportunity.

Photrade.com has created a free platform that provides the tools for photographers of any skill level  to customize their own photo contest,. Within a few minutes, they can flaunt their proudest pieces of art to family, friends or competitors across the world.

Photrade hosted its first  Apple Aperture Nature Photography Workshops Contest. The contest was open to amateurs only and included  8034 participants. The four Winners received a paid trip to Grand Tetons National Park, which started today. Over the next four days, they'll receive first-hand lessons in Apple Aperture by a team of Apple-certified trainers. Marketing partners Apple,Lensbaby, Peachpit Press,Data Robotics,ThinkTank Photo and lynda.com, also awarded the contestants with software and gadgets. The contest will be resume every three months, with another group of four pros, and four amateurs  in Olympic,  Yosemite and Yellowstone National Parks.

The key difference between photrade's format from the other photo-hosting sites is the power it gives to the user. Once they've created the name of the contest, they can specify the rules, name the prize, stipulate the number of entries allowed, discuss the entries and post the submitted photos for a final vote. If contest rules permit, vote totals may include friends and family, and photrade provides the widgets to promote your pics on your blog or favorite social networking site.

 Some of the most popular contests included my personal favorite, The Great Outdoors. The only rule was that competitors were limited to two submissions.Prizes at stake included:  A Canon Delux Photo for 1st place and a lensbrush and camera case for 2nd and 3rd place.  In a two-week period, 118 competitors produced 173 shots which showcased the majestic scenery that mother nature offers. Take a look at the three winning shots.

Photrade's platform - user-customized competition enhanced and facilitated by social networking-should open the door for dynamic marketing opportunities,from local camera shops to major corporations, such as Apple and the others who partnered with the initial contest.

 

 

 

We're giving you a great chance to get your hands on a free autographed copy of Brand Digital, the latest book on branding by the Managing Partner of Landor NYC Allen Adamson. All you have to do to enter the contest is simply name two of the brands Adamson mentions in his book (excluding Bose, Burger King and OXO handgrip).

Now you may be thinking, how on earth can I name two companies mentioned in the book if I don't even have a copy of the book, well fret no further. We have a massive hint for you. Read this page from the BrandDigital web site and you'll find two companies in no time. Once you have selected two of the companies, simply fill out the contact form on marketingshift and we'll pass the information along to Allen who will then put all of the names in a hat and hold a drawing on Friday.

Due to many factors, the National Hockey League's TV ratings have plummeted during the past three years. Following the league lockout three years ago ,  ESPN declined to renew a broadcasting deal. As a result, a comparatively small sports market was reduced to the niche audience category, and the NHL signed with the Outdoor Network (Now known as Versus) for live broadcast coverage, with a few games occasionally broadcast on NBC.

Despite the fact that most American NHL fans are strongly outnumbered by NFL,MLB and NBA fans, most sports fans in general will admit that hockey's base is among the most passionate and loyal of any, and, unlike the NFL, the NHL's markets include Canadian cities such as Toronto and Calgary. Stadium attendance is usually high, but the numbers don't carry over to network of cable TV.

To fill the TV void, the NHL is going straight to its loyal fan base at www.nhl.com, to offer an alternative for live broadcasts: Gamecenter Live. For $169, fans can access streaming video of live games throughout the season. The NHL will offer a free,two-day trial will be available during the first three nights of the season.In today's Wall Street Journal story, John Collins, the NHL's chief operating officer,said:

We're not encumbered by big national rights. Aggressive moves in digital are essential to our success. We have a lot of active avid fans that are looking for very specific information.

GameCenter Live will also boast a special highlight each night, where one game will be rigged with six extra camera angles, including goalie cams. For the fans who don't want to dish out the big dollars for Gamecenter Live, a scaled-down version, simply known as Gamecenter, is free to any fan. It will include home and away radio broadcasts,fan chat,game highlights, Action Tracker- which provides vital stats such as shots, goals and penalties.

For the NHL's sake, Gamecenter must generate a tidal wave of new enthusiasm with hockey's online community. According to the WSJ's article, AKQA is retooling the website. Ironically, AKQA's former clients include ESPN. The article also points to a troubling stat-  a monthly average of only 2.4 million unique visitors for the year, (Ending in July). Not even Sarah Palin (The VP hopeful,world's most famous hockey mom) - can save them if those numbers don't improve.

You may remember a certain author I mentioned during an earlier post regarding the Microsoft/Seinfeld split, where I referenced the book BrandDigital, by Allen Adamson. I examined more of his branding book and discovered some simple yet profound insights that can be applied to any company that's searching for an authentic and stronger brand. One recurring theme throughout his book is the dynamic relationship between the brand and the consumer. Throughout BrandDigital, he highlights companies that have successfully tapped into the plethora of resources for mining data on their target markets.

As marketers, we have unimpeded access to customers thoughts and actions-whether they're posted on blogs, on corporate websites, on the walls of social networks, or on industry disccsuion and review boards. Search and ye shall find. Everything is out there behind one big magnifying glass.

Some of the key themes in his book:

• The importance of a single idea
• Call attention to what makes your brand relevantly different
• The importance of delivering on your brand promise
• "Who" trumps what
• Listen to your customers
• Be ready to make rolling adjustments
• Invest in content that people want
• Deliver on your brand promise

Three themes piqued my curiosity:-Call attention to what makes your brand relevantly different, the importance of a single idea, and  the importance of delivering on your brand's promise.

The importance of single idea

Burger King's tagline "Have it your way" is an idea that has thrived for decades because among the first to recognize current marketing culture -promise that the consumer controlled the experience. Adamson used the Whopper and the subservient Chicken as a microcosm of Burger King's promise. During his research, he discovered 221,184 ways to order a Whopper, and customers came to expect a fully customized order every time they approached the counter or drive-through menu.

The importance of delivering on your brand promiseHow do you deliver on your brand promise? Well, for starters, you must understand the digital product you're marketing, as well as your customers. and the most successful brands become famous by making their customers brand evangelists.

To understand digital technology you MUST interact with it. In order to serve your brand well, it's essential you have a working knowledge of the space in which they and you are playing. IE-flickr,facebook,myspace, advertising on Google

Throughout BrandDigital, Adamson provides examples of companies that have  distinguished their brand as unique and essential. Many times, those key elements are "hidden in plain sight", as he puts it.

It's an inspiration that springs from an observation of the obvious. Ever wonder why they give you those teeny,tiny headphones and expect you to hear the movie over the roar of Rolls-Royce engines? Ever wonder why a hand-operated can opener makes your hand hurt? As a result of asking the first question, Bose came up with ... Its line of Quiet Comfort headphones have made listening to in flight moves and music a joy. OXO Good Grips came up with a unique and practical line of kitchen products in response to looking at something that now seems obvious.The meaningful difference of its products can be experienced in the way they feel and function as well as in the inventiveness of its packaging presence.

You can read more about simple yet effective branding concepts in Adamson's other book, BrandSimple, which is available at Amazon and bookstores.

In an effort to recover from dwindling CD sales, major record producers are partnering with SanDisk to unveil a new format-slotMusic, which will include 29 albums, featuring a wide-variety of artists, ranging from Elvis to Usher.

The record companies in the partnership include EMI Group Ltd., Warner Music Group Corp. Vivendi SA's Universal Music Group and Sony BMG Music Entertainment, a joint venture of Sony Corp. and Bertelsmann AG. The discs will be sold at Wal-Mart and Best Buy.

I was amused by the notion that a disc was the solution for the future for music. I was almost instanly reminded of a certain invention from the 90s, the Sony Minidisc.

 

I visited slotmusic.org's page- What is SlotMusic? to see the company pitch, and this is what I found.

What are the benefits for consumers and music lovers?

slotMusic cards enable consumers to instantly and easily enjoy music from their favorite artists without being dependent on a PC or internet connection. Users simply insert the slotMusic card into their microSD-enabled mobile phone or MP3 player to hear the music - without passwords, downloading or digital-rights-management interfering with their personal use. Other aspects slotmusic boasts include:"More images, more videos and more "stuff.

I can't help but wonder. How is this more convenient than an MP3? How is extra data storage a distinguishing characteristic, when you can already do that with a flash drive? I realize that a flash drive doesn't fit into most phones, but how many phone models will even accept the slotMusic disc? Until that fact is clarified, we'll never know the true potential market.

 Maybe I'm being a bit too skeptical on this one, but I just don't see this format catching on anytime soon. Considering the fact that even the Record Producers admitted the slotMusic effort to be "experimental",I get the feeling that the Record producers are guardedly optimistic about the product's potential.

Politico.com, one of the hottest blogs for political junkies, is going against conventional wisdom and expanding its press after the election season is over.

Our goal is simple: We want to offer readers the fastest, smartest, most authoritative coverage of Washington in the nation, period, said publisher Robert Allbritton. These are important times and we plan to unleash the best reporters in the country on the most important story: how the new Congress and President govern in this historic period.

Politico's web page, Politico 44, will debut Nov. 5. Other ambitious goals include additional reporters, editors, Web engineers and other employees, and the unthinkable prospect- more newspaper print editions.

The site's rapid expansion during the past 20 months can be credited to the historical story lines on each party ticket, as well as Politico's highly-credentialed staff, which includes former editors and writers from he Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Time magazine and The New York Times.

Politico’s corps of reporters and editors will grow to more than 50 from 39, and the overall staff to 105 or more, from 85.

A few distinguishing facts about the Politico paper, which will be printed four days per week when Congress is in session.

• It is hand delivered to every office and top staffer
• it will become the only Capitol Hill paper to be delivered to every top White House official as well as senior members of the cabinet and top departmental officials.
   

The most important question here is a simple one: Why would the strive for growth after the peak of political interest throughout the country?Well, according to Jim VandeHei, executive editor and co-founder of Politico, the biggest story comes after Nov. 4, and the redecorating for the White House begins.

After the election, it is to create a dedicated White House reporting team, headed by Mike Allen, its senior political reporter. No matter who wins the election, it’s going to be a captivating story as they govern, After the election, I anticipate some dip in our audience, but for our business model, it doesn’t really matter.We anticipate a nice surge on the revenue side.

In my opinion, Politico is taking a huge risk here, because we all know how short the American attention span is. The capitol hill crowd and lobbyists may stay on as loyal readers, but vast majority of Americans will go back to their normal, everyday lives a few months into the new presidency. Who knows, maybe Politico will prove me wrong.