Startup Offers Low Budget Ad Options-In Low Traffic Areas

Click here to read the article. More on this later tonight.

NBC Hires Outsider For Entertainment Position

NBC announced today that Kevin Reilly will no longer be the President of the Entertainment Division. Today they hired Ben Silverman who has been behind many successful programs over the past few years including "The Office," "The Biggest Loser" and "Ugly Betty."

Click here to read the article.

Got An Idea On How To Improve This Blog?

If so, then email me here. I'm currently taking all ideas on what topics or issues you would like to see more on. Do you like the advertisement of the day? Got any suggestions on ads you've seen that we can post? Send me your comments any time on how I can improve this blog. You can also post your comments now without being a member of Blogger.

Carl's Jr. Angry With Jack-In-The-Box Advertising

The Los Angeles Times is reporting today that Carl's Jr. is not happy with Jack in the Box's new advertising campaign that rips "Angus Beef." Carl's Jr. of course advertises their burgers as 100% Angus Beef and being the edgy above the curve advertiser that Jack is, they have decided to attack this angle.

Click here to see one of the spots.

I happen to find the spots extremely successful for brand recall and they are extremely funny as well. I've always been impressed with any of the Jack in the Box spots and this campaign is not only funny, but also timely as well. Several other restaurants are advertising their 100% Angus Beef burgers and Jack has capitalized on a timely and relevant name.

It also doesn't hurt the fact that Carl's Jr. is making a wave about the spots; all press is good press.

NBC Looking To Remove Program Chief

The New York Times is reporting that NBC is negotiating to with Kevin Reilly to remove him from the title of President/Entertainment Division. Click here to read the article.

NBC has dropped to fourth overall in prime-time rankings behind the likes of ABC, CBS, and FOX for the past three years. NBC also just extended a three year contract to Mr. Reilly a few months ago but seems to have a change of heart at this point. The news of this move is quite timely though due to the fact that NBC came out of "Upfront" generating less than exciting news for advertisers. The new fall lineup won't excite anyone until the season starts. Look for NBC to ride on the heels of "The Office" and "Heroes" while they try to replace some programs before December.

Axe Reaches A New Low And Creates The Worst Commercial Series Ever

Axe Body Spray for men is towing the line between edgy and humorous with their commercial, targeting the Male between the ages of 16-24. Their new line, Lynx, is the target for these spots. I happen to find their new series of commercials absolutely torturing to watch and somewhat embarassing.

There's no doubt about it, marketers and agencies have a hard job of coming up with commercial spots that stand out and sell product. By my typical standards I would say these spots worked because I'm not only blogging about them but I can recall each of the spots. But marketers also have to walk a fine line between creating a positive memorable spot and a negative memorable spot. Many times you as a viewer might be offended but the person in the house next door might find it hilarious.

Will these advertisements work on you? Will it make you go out and buy more Lynx Body Spray? Click here to see the supermarket spot. Click here to see the dentist spot. Click here to see the in-laws spot. Click here to see the European spot. (Not shown in U.S.)

Post your feedback or send me your comments here.

User Created Ads Cost More Than You Think

When a brand asks you to create an advertisement for them, does it mean they are lazy? Cheap? Non-Creative? This is the perception it gives to many people. But the cost to that brand is more than you think. Click here to read the article at the New York Times.

Television Stations Look For Content Alternatives To Syndication

With the lack of syndication programs these days television stations are now looking to other options for programming. Click here to read the article.

Web Spending Rises To $16.9 Billion in 2006

The Interactive Advertising Bureau reported today that internet advertising spending rose 35% in 2006 to $16.9 billion. Click here to read the article.

The biggest surprise out of this article is that online advertisements only made up 5.9% of last years total ad spending. This reinforces that perception is reality. If you sampled a group of people then you would probably find that many believe that online ad spending makes up closer to 15-20%. Although many believe that online ad spending is growing at a rapid rate, 35% last year to be exact, it still has a lot of ground to gain on television.

Google Tests In-Stream Video Ads

Click here to read the article at AdWeek.com.

American Idol Sells $1.3 Million Spots For Finale

Advertising Age announced today that thirty-second spots in the American Idol finale tonight went for a reported $1.3 million. The show is already heavily sponsored by advertising heavyweights Coca-Cola and Ford, raked in about $1.2 million for last years spots.

The Super Bowl fetched an average of $2.4 million per spot in 2007, which means a reality show is creeping closer to becoming the nations biggest advertising event.

I fully believe this is still a bargain, even at the rate of $1.3 million. In fact, next year I would budget for three spots. There are not a whole lot of programs on tv that reach a wide demographic like this one, or have the viewers American Idol does.

Although Ford and Coca-Cola have spent a small fortune the past few years on product placement packages with AI, they are the first two advertisers that come to mind when I reference the show. Each time you see Simon, Paula, and Randy, you always see a Coca-Cola glass, with the words positioned perfectly so you can read them. Ford uses the time to show off new vehicles and plaster their name all over the program.

Would you advertise in American Idol? Post your comments here or email me and I'll post your feedback.

The CW Network Creating More Buzz With Advertising

Click here to read the article at the Los Angeles Times. More to come later on this and other ad topics.

Anheuser-Busch Canning BUD-TV?

Check out the full article here at Adage.com

Marketers Struggle To Keep Consumers Entertained During Ad Breaks

The New York Times published an article today about the struggles marketers face to keep you in your seat and watch their commercials. Click here to read the article.

Many networks are looking at the ideas of non-commercial programs that feature only in-content advertising and product placement. The CW Network announced last week during "Upfront" that they will be running a show without any commercial breaks. The program is titled "CW Now" and will air at 7pm. The show already has six advertisers who will sponsor segments and receive product placement segments as well.

The CW Network, which targets young adults, will be one of the first to test such a program. The program will also feature "Cwickies" which are five second or less advertisements. All in an attempt to keep you seated.

But will this new advertising concept really work or will you still flip the channel? I believe advertisers need to stop putting so much emphasis on the advertisements, and more emphasis on the content and programming. Top rated programs such as American Idol, 24, and Heroes probably tend to have a higher commerical viewer rating than others because the dedicated viewers don't want to miss a second of the program. This of course adds to the fact that these mentioned programs are already some of the most expensive on the market to advertise in.

I applaud the CW Network for taking the first step towards fresh content and keeping viewers entertained for 30 straight minutes. The x-factor out of all this is the content. Will "CW Now" be an entertaining enough program to keep viewers watching. If not, don't expect any blue chip advertisers to be signing up for these sponsorships again anytime soon. Post your comments below.

San Francisco Chronicle Cutting Staff By 25%

The Los Angeles Times is reporting today that the San Francisco Chronicle, one of the nations largest papers by circulation is cutting their staff by 25%. Click here to read the article.

Fantasy and Sci-Fi To Dominate New Fall Lineups

Click here to read the article from New York Times.

Many networks are turning to non-reality programming this season as the fall lineup features more sci-fi and fantasy shows than ever before. It can be seen as a desperate attempt to garner ratings or it's everyone riding off the success NBC had with Heroes this past year. NBC which will feature a few more programs that fall into the "fantasy" category obviously saw the connection they made with viewers and are going to ride that opportunity. It now appears that CW and FOX will be looking to steal those viewers for their sci-fi programs as well.

I feel we reached a point of too many cop dramas the past two years and those have killed themselves off. I have a feeling that the sci-fi programs won't make it as long as the cop dramas but I've been wrong in the past. Post your comments below or send me feedback by clicking here.

Advertising Age Presents Upfront Week Videos

Click here to see all of the videos from a week of sales hype and glitz.

Advertisers Boycotting XM Radio Show

Call it the reverse of the Don Imus situation. Advertisers are boycotting XM radio after they suspended shock jocks Opie & Anthony. The suspension came after a tirade filled with explicits and a discussion about rape. You can read the translation here from Jim Teacher's blog.

Advertisers "Nashville Coffee" and "adameve.com" have both pulled their advertising and are calling for other sponsors to do the same. Several XM Subscribers are cancelling their subscriptions because of the suspension.

Isn't satellite radio supposed to be non-censored? Don't people pay money to listen to their favorite shock jocks rant about anything and everything without worrying about what the FCC is going to regulate?

In my opinion, the Opie & Anthony show was wrong and they probably do deserve to be repromanded or suspended in some way. However, since they are on XM radio, I feel they should be given some reprieve here. I'm sure 99% of their audience that particular morning was Adults 18+ who know what they are getting in to when they listen to that program. This is the reason the advertisers are so angry. XM radio is supposed to be held to different standards. Just ask Howard Stern.

Microsoft Acquires Advertising Company aQuantive for $6 Billion

The Seattle Times today are reporting that Microsoft has acquired online advertising company aQuantive for $6 billion. Click here to read the article.

The CW Network Explores The Idea of Five-Second Ads

Click here to read the article at the New York Times.

McDonalds New Television Campaign Focuses On Employee Pride

McDonalds is taking new steps to spell the myth that working for the burget corporation will only earn you minimum wage and no future career path. Click here to read the article at AdvertisingAge.com.

Apparently it's McD's way of saying, "it's not just a McJob," as quoted years ago in a McDonalds training program. I believe this is a strong ad campaign. The creative is impressive and tells a great story about a young woman who began working at McDonalds years ago, and now is over seeing 5,000 restaurants. A success story without a doubt.

But will this campaign work with potential employees and consumers? I'm not sure what their goal is with this campaign either. Is it to attract young college graduates to get behind the counter in hopes that they can move up the corporate ladder? Is it to instill a positive stigma about McDonalds to consumers and increase sales? What it does speak to, is high quality branding that few companies have the money to spend on. I applaud McDonalds for this spot and look forward to seeing more.

AOL Takes Their First Step Towards Mobile Advertising

AOL announced this week that they have purchasaed Third Screen Media, a company that specializes in mobile advertising and maintains relationships with several mobile carriers. Click here to read the article.

The purchase gives AOL a direct line to mobile carriers and others in the mobile advertising industry. Mobile advertising is projected to become a hot issue for advertisers as soon as tomorrow, but the problem still lies in the ability to reach the masses. As quoted in this article, Third Screen Media still only delivers about 225 mobile impressions each month, not considered a large number in the mobile industry.

I applaud AOL for taking this step into the mobile industry. While I believe we are still years away from this being accepted by blue-chip advertisers, I think we are even further away from it being accepted by consumers. The cell phone is still a place that we are not getting hit with messages and many believe consumers want to keep it that way. Call to action advertisements are going to be tough as well, because I don't see people walking into grocery stores to redeem their 2-for-1 Coke ads by showing their cell phone to the clerk. I also don't see us spending the time to download the coupon and print it off.

We are in a time right now where consumers don't even want to give out their email because they don't like spam. Spam is nothing more than an email that pops up in your inbox; that you don't even have to click on, just simply delete. Will you continue to fill out your phone number on the registration card if you begin to receive SMS messages every hour? This is the question we will wait on and in the mean time we'll watch several companies spend millions of dollars.

The Most Brilliant Banner Ads Ever

Earlier this week while I was researching the new fall lineup on NBC's web site, I noticed some banner advertising on their home page. By now you may or may not know how I feel about banner advertising. I'm much higher on pre-roll video, etc. etc. Anyways, Apple happened to have some banner ads featuring their Mac and PC guys. It said "roll over to play video" and since I happen to like these ads, I decided to do so.

These aren't your typical banner ads so I feel a little stronger about these but I was highly impressed with the way they decided to use them. When the video began playing, the Mac introduced himself as did the PC. They were leaderboard banners so they were at the top of the page. All you could see was the two men from the shoulders up, however the PC was resting his arms on the bottom of the banner as to say he was creating space; like he was actually inside the banner.

They began to converse and then the PC, in typical fashion decided to end the conversation and walk out. But he couldn't get out, he was trapped inside the banner ad wall. He kept trying to ram his way out but he was not going anywhere.

I found these ads to be brilliant because for one, they got me to click, and for two, they created something outside the box. Instead of a boring flash or animated banner ad, they created an ad that actually did something. They created an ad specifically with these two characters and placed them inside the space creatively.

Hopefully you can get a chance to see these banners. Continually check NBC.com to see what you can find. If you find them somewhere else then send me an email or post a comment.

NBC Presents New Fall Lineup To Advertisers

Click here to see the post-report from New York Times reporter Bill Carter.

It appears advertisers were wowed by the new programs however no big revelations thus far. NBC might get lucky and have a major breakthrough like Heroes again this year, which would really help them get out of third place.

Media Buys Continue To Overlook Spanish Speaking Viewers

An article today on the Los Angeles Times web site explains that the largest ethnic group in the United States is being missed with broadcast television and other mediums. Click here to read the article.

NBC Announces New Fall Lineup

Click here to read the full article at Mediaweek.com.

NBC announced some changes for their fall programming today. Some of the major changes include the addition of 30 episodes of "The Office." NBC also dropped "Crossing Jordan" and "Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip." Although this wasn't much of a shock to many, NBC also cancelled "The Black Donnelly's." Some new programs that you will see this year include "Lipstick Jungle", "Journeyman", and the return of the "Bionic Woman"as well as "Chuck" and "Life."

Although it would be too easy to say that a few of these programs won't make it until Christmas, I'm going to hold back my opinions until later in the year and remain optimistic that this is the year that NBC returns to must see tv.

Networks Broadcasting Your Favorite Shows Online

Networks are finally capitalizing on the programming that makes their channel famous. Click here to read the article at Adage.com.

For years the networks have struggled to increase web traffic to their sites. What would propel you to go to NBC.com, or ABC.com? Maybe to read the bio about your favorite soap star? Possibly to check out the new fall schedule? Whatever the reason is today, the networks have given us little reason in the past. However the media landscape that is always changing is now giving the networks good reason to visit their site.

In my opinion, this is going to be one of the many components to online advertising that will stand the length of time. While my feeling on banner ads is not as hot as pre-roll video and viral marketing sites, network content is the key to advertisers reaching their target market. With the growth of DVRs, it makes perfect sense for content to shift online. iTunes has already exhibited this model without the advertisers, but with advertisers the cost is paid for and the user gets the chance to enjoy content they might have missed on television.

While the viewers are shifting online though the chance is that over time more eyes will shift away from television. If I know I can catch my favorite program a few days later online, then why would I continue to pay the high cost of a TiVo subscription? Agencies though are going to have to have low expecations while this shift happens. And while I don't see it happening for another 5-7 years, it still is another change in the media landscape that is potential.

Geico Re-Writing The Rules Of Branding

If you asked ten Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) from Fortune 500 or larger companies what they would want you to think about their brand, the chance is they would want you to think consistency. While recalling a few major brands that are in our face each day; McDonalds, Jack-in-the-Box, Budweiser, Pepsi, Coke, Nike, Verizon, Apple, and any automotive company(GM, Ford). We remember a tagline or character from their commercial. We remember a message they always stress or push.

When you see creative from the brands mentioned above, you know you will see someting you've seen in the past. For example, McDonalds will show you the golden arches and maybe Ronald with a happy family. With Verizon, it's the network and their glasses wearing spokesman. Apple these days has the competition between the PC and Mac, or the iPod with colorful backgrounds and shadow dancing people. Which is different from the original days of Apple. And with Jack-in-the-Box, you're guaranteed to see Jack.

The point is that each of these brands have built up over time an image of one main character. They stick with that character and then go back to them from time to time, never straying from the main spokesman or spokeswoman. Even if that brand doesn't show the character in the commercial, they still refer to them somehow and you recall them once the spot is finished.

Geico has completely re-written these rules. If this were a psych test and I told you to give me one word when I showed you the word Geico, odds are you would say either "Gecko" or "Caveman." If I then asked you to recall your favorite commercial then you would have several options to work from, several of which have a different main character but all with the same message.

Over the last three years when Geico first started off as the insurance company with the little talking Gecko, their brand message remained the same. If you saw a billboard with a Gecko on it, then you thought Geico. Now that billboard could have several different messages and you might think the same message.

It appears though the Caveman might be taking over the Gecko's image. Which could cause problems for the insurance company. Geico has spent more money over the past year marketing the caveman, which I believe was an accident in the beginning. The first caveman commercial can be seen here. It featured the caveman as a part of the production crew being offended when the spokesman said, "so easy, a caveman could do it." Then slowly we started seeing more commercials that featured this same message. The reason I call it a potential accident is because I don't think they had any idea that the public would respond in such as positive way to a caveman.

The next Geico commercials were simple follow ups that featured the spokesman trying to make peace with the cavemen. Then this year we have seen more cavemen commercials than Gecko ones. In fact, it almost appears they are trying to quickly scramble Gecko ones to make up for the fact that the caveman has gained so much popularity. Earlier this week I introduced the Caveman's web site. Check it out here and try not to spend 25 minutes there like I did.

We're also seeing the Caveman walking through the airport, working with a therapist, and appearing on a national news program to debate the idea of a caveman.

The Gecko and Caveman though are only two examples of images or faces of Geico we've seen in the past. Late in 2006, Geico introduced a series of spots that featured celebrities, mostly B-list celebrities, interpreting real life Geico insurance stories. They featured Verne Troyer, Little Richard, Burt Bacharach, Don Lafontaine, and Charo.

We've also seen scattered commercials featuring the "Good News" campaign. Check out Tony Little and Dr. Parker.

No other brand goes out of its way to produce such a wide variety of spots. No other brand takes this much risk by using such a wide variety of commercials. No other brand can bring it all back to one cohesive message that we will recall. When we say Geico, you might think of a few different characters or spokesmen, but they have trained you to think, "saving 15% or more or more on car insurance by switching to Geico." This is the new rules of branding. Bringing it all back to one message that sells a product or brand. Geico has become successful not only in entertaining us, but also in building their brand.

MSNBC Provides Tips For Successful Advertising

Click here to read what MSNBC has to say about how to create a powerful advertising campaign.

Networks Face The Tough Decision To Renew Programs On The Bubble

MediaWeek's Mr. Television writes about the major networks tough decisions for renewing prime time programs that are currently on the bubble. Click here to read the article.

It appears all networks, including NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, and CW will have to make the decision to renew or cancel several programs. Earlier this week we learned NBC will be ordering several dramas for the 2007-2008 television season. Will other networks head that way?

It appears CBS might be heading towards a comedy block which would play off Julia Louis-Dreyfus hit, "The New Adventures of Old Christine." NBC might decide to drop Scrubs, only to potentially lose it to ABC, who produces the show (ABCTV). ABC though might have the hardest decisions with long running programs "According to Jim" and "George Lopez." According to the article the two shows have enough episodes to run in syndication so it's possible a shift could be made to another channel, like TBS or CW.

Stay tuned for the next few weeks to find out what the networks decide upon.

Consumers Marketing To Themselves

Click here to read the article at the Los Angeles Times.

I couldn't agree more with the online marketing emphasis of this article. The user generated content gives consumers an opportunity to feel like they are a part of their favorite brand. The microsites that these brands have created are much stronger than any banner advertising campaign you will see on a news site.

Check out some of these sites here at Cadillac, Geico, and Burger King.

How much time do you spend on these sites?

Advertising Age Presents A Marketers Round Table

Click here to see the article and narrated video with the CMO's from top brands such as Clorox, Wells Fargo, JetBlue, and Home Depot.

NBC Orders Drama Programs For Next Season

NBC is taking the first steps to build back their brand as the leader in prime-time television. Click here to read the article at the New York Times site.

Will it be the dramas that will build the brand back to where it once was in the late '90s? I remember it being must see tv with comedies such as Seinfeld, Will & Grace, Friends, Frasier, etc. Although with the emergence of the drama "Heroes" maybe NBC believes this is the new route to take. Although I'm sure they have no intentions of cutting their current comedy hits such as "The Office", "My Name is Earl", and "Scrubs."

Stay tuned for next season to see what NBC brings to the table and if you return your viewing habits to "Must See TV."

General Motors Wants To Start Buying Newspaper Advertorials

Is this what it's come to GM? Newspaper advertorials? Click here to read the full article.

Today Advertising Age is reporting that General Motors, who has already significantly cut back on their newspaper adverising, is interested in buying newspaper advertorials. I can't decide if this is one more sign that the end is near for newspapers or if this is just a really stupid decision by General Motors.

I'm going to cut straight to the point. If full-page advertisements and ten-page pullouts don't get me to act upon a new car special, then tell me why I would decide to take ten minutes or more out of my day to read an advertorial that was paid for?

Advertorials are a paid advertisement in the form of an article. It is a mix of an advertisement and an editorial. They have been successful for companies facing PR scandals and problems as well as companies who are just trying to change their image while voicing their opinion to their consumers. Many large corporations used them in the past; before the power of the internet. As you could imagine, companies adapted to the web and found ways to reach their consumers, not via a dead medium.

Why would General Motors announce that they are interested in advertorials? I don't understand why they consider this news. Why not announce they are working on mobile content? Why not announce they are working on viral web sites for young consumers to groom them to become loyal GM drivers? What about five minute commercials to run in news across the top 10 markets?

These are not ground breaking media ideas but then again, Advertorials are old news.

Hopefully this helps GM with their sales a little better than display ads did. Look out for these new advertorials and you tell me if they urge you to buy a new car.

The Future of Mobile Television

Check out the article here at Businessweek.com.

Google Ripped At Media Event

Click here to read what Time Warner CEO Richard Parsons said about Google and other rumblings from the National Cable & Telecommunications Assocation Conference.

Television Viewing Dropping?

Find out here at MSN.com.

Advertising 101 by BNET.com

Lengthy article by BNET.com which discusses the methods to achieve advertising greatness. Click here to read the full article.

Is Targeted Advertising As Efficient As Broad Advertising?

Click here to see the video from BNET.com.

Gourmet Marketing Working Well For Various Restaurants

Do you know what Angus Beef is? Well, even if you don't, you probably have the assumption that it tastes better than any piece of beef you've ever had. Or at least that's what marketers want you to think. Check out the full article here at Adage.com.

Rupert Murdoch and the Wall Street Journal

Great article on Rupert Murdoch and his bid to own the Wall Street Journal. Click here to read more at the New York Times.

NBC Says No To Thirty-Second Online Adverisements

NBC is deciding to set some online standards that the industry has been kicking around for months. No more thirty-second video advertisements for the media company who is seeking over $1 billion in online revenue by 2008.

You can read the full article here at Adage.com

Pre-Roll video has become a new trend amongst industry leading advertisers. The problem though is nobody wants to pay attention for more than :15 seconds while they are online. Pre-Roll video demands some of the highest CPMs around for a reason, because people are watching. But if we continue to use videos longer than :15 seconds then these CPMs will drop quickly.

I'm actually surprised it has taken this long for a major online player to set these standards. I'm also surprised the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) has not come forth to this point and set these standards. So to that, I applaud NBC for being innovative.

Mobile Phone Advertising Still Lacking

Mobile phone advertising is still failing to make an impact. A new article by the New York Times describes that here.

My opinion on the matter is that mobile phone advertising will take another 4-6 years before we see any significant success. As the article describes, targeting of relevant ads for consumers is very hard. Just because someone is a Sprint carrier doesn't mean they are interested in a free bottle of shampoo or 25% off a major department store.

With television, advertisers can target niche programs on cable and broadcast networks. This gives the advertiser a chance to make an emotional connection with a specific message. Mobile phone ads are to the masses and miss the spot many times due to lack of relevancy. We know nothing about the person holding the phone other than their home location because of their area code. Even that is to be missed because the term "mobile" means they can leave their area.

I don't disagree though with these advertisers and carriers trying the idea. The first to continue to try it and perfect it will be very happy once consumers catch on. But until then, money will continue to be lost and consumers will continue to be disenchanted by the sight of a video or ad popping up on their phone.

MSN Should Capitalize on Out-of-Home Media Opportunities

If you've been following my blogs since I began a few weeks ago then you know my feelings about Out-of-Home Media (OOH). I see it as a growing medium that has tremendous potential and it's only a matter of time until advertisers begin to take note. With that said, there is always one hard to find component for OOH network owners; content.

Sure anyone can find content. You can download the latest top rated videos on YouTube and lace some advertisements in the middle and consider that content. You can simply subscribe to the Associated Press and play an ad between each news clip. You can even hire a graphics department to develop attractive and sleek pictures to catch peoples attention. This however, is not content.

Good content comes from knowing your audience and finding something relevant for them. Remember that in-home television, viewers choose the channel they want to watch. In the OOH model, the audience can not choose so it has to be relevant to them, in order to get them to watch. Good content is also a mix of relevant info about the viewers settings.

If the OOH network setting is a subway system in a busy metropolitan city then the content needs to mirror what those people specifically want. Not only does this increase the chance of your audience paying attention to your content, it also proves a better case to the advertisers. One example would be riders of the BART system in San Francisco. Proper content for these riders would not only include the typical info of weather and daily news, but also information about the traffic conditions surrounding the stations, airport delays for riders heading to Oakland and San Francisco airports, or interactive maps of tourist destinations, and especially up to the date information about Silicon Valley technology magnates.

The point is this content is hard to come by. The reason is because content is expensive to continually develop, find, and especially create. Content teams are an unnecessary cost to OOH media companies until they sell enough advertising to justify. (You see the chicken and egg thing here, right?)

So back to the original header for this blog. There are only a few companies who have the resources to become large OOH Media players. Right now several companies are dabbling in the opportunity, few have mastered the industry. Microsoft could be that company. There are two reasons.

MSN features more content than any site across the net. They feature information that targets both men, women, teens, and seniors. Their content ranges from autos to entertainment and health to sports. They feature breaking news, videos, pictures, and detailed city information. More importantly, they aggregate content from all sites online.

MSN is also one of the leaders in online advertising sales. To go along with their wide range of content, they have a wide range of advertisements to target each demographic. MSN does this extremely well.

I don't even have to begin to discuss the resources and technology barriers that most companies face. MSN would have no problem with the initial investments and upkeep.

As you can tell by now I'm a big proponent of OOH media and the industry is still seeking a dominant leader to come in and take over several vertical markets; retail, rail, airports, college campuses, restaurants, etc. MSN solves the problems that most OOH media companies face. Content and advertising.

The next time you see an OOH network, think of the possibilities for MSN.

TiVo Begins Advertising Campaign To Boost Subscribers

TiVo is apparently losing market share slowly each year to the cable companies who rent DVRs of their own. Click here to read the full article at the New York Times.

Shock Jock Talk Radio Remains Unchanged Despite Imus Fallout

Read the full article here at the New York Times.

MTV Takes In-Content Advertising To A Whole New Level

Earlier this week I blogged about DVRs and the fact that that they are changing our media landscape. Today I saw something that could potentially change advertising in a whole new way.

I'm a fan of the current reality show "Run's House" which airs on MTV. I DVR the show and watch it later when I have some time. While doing some housework I had the show playing in the background and was in and out of the room. I did happen to stop and pay attention though during a critical time during the show.

For those of you not familiar with the show, it is a reality series that follows the family of Joseph Simmons, also known as the Reverend Run from "80s" rap group RUN DMC. They are an extremely wealthy family and with five children you can imagine it's a show full of entertainment. However, back to the point.

The lead-in promo for the show featured the Reverend's two daughters pitching a new line of women's athletic sneakers to uncle Russel Simmons, who is the CEO of Phat Farm clothing line. So as a viewer I was already trained to be prepared for this moment. When the daughters approached Uncle Simmons I stopped the work I was currently doing and tuned in. Before daughter Angela could finish her sentence, something happened that caused me to dive across the room for the remote.

Angela was just getting ready to being a sentence when all of a sudden MTV went directly into a promo. There was no chance for me to even think twice about changing the channel or fast forwarding with my DVR. Remember, I was watching this program after I recorded it so I had the chance to skip this promo.

But MTV didn't give me that chance and I found myself with eyes tuned in to the promo for "Scarred" a new show on MTV that features young snowboarders, skatboarders, bike riders, and others, falling down and breaking bones all while being video taped as it happens. The show is absolutely graphic and not for those with weak stomachs but never the less, not the point of this blog.

I was in absolute shock when this promo began. Just seconds earlier I was waiting for the show to hit it's plot line; then seconds later I was watching a promo for a show that I typically can't watch because it damn near makes me sick. The truth is though I was confused about the whole situation. I thought MTV had made a programming mistake and accidentally cut into their ad block early. This was no accident though.

I watched the entire promo, which may have lasted 20 seconds. At the end, a black screen with white text read, "now back to your program." Since I was watching this program with my DVR I rewound three times to see the seamless transition between the show and promo. I'm still blown away by it.

Now you might be thinking, "What's the big deal?" The truth is, I've never seen in-content advertising quite like this. I challenge anyone to prove to me that they had time to change the channel and miss the ad or fast-forward if they were later watching with their DVR; like myself.

Many advertiers pay a premium for in-content advertising on programs such as morning shows in local markets or cable news programs. A lot of times it is a sponsorship or product placement they are writing the check for. Although it is effective advertising for branding or product launch, it doesn't give the viewer a call to action opportunity or tell the viewer what to do. In-content advertising such as the spot I noticed today will change this landscape. That is if MTV continues and other networks adapt.

It's possible that MTV is one of a few networks that can actually get away with something like this because of their target audience. MTV caters to teens and young adults aged between 16-24. That being said, these viewers are going to be less likely to file a complaint on the grounds that MTV is interrupting their valued program to show promos and advertisements.

It is however my opinion that other networks had better follow suite and give the opportunity to their advertisers. With growing concerns over the fact that consumers are not staying tuned through the advertisements, these spots give the advertiser a better feeling that their ad is actually going to be seen. I believe the network can charge three to five times the cost for an in-content ad to run similiar to the one referenced here. Advertisers also have the chance to tailor a message around the program they would run in. Instead of the words, "now back to your program" at the end of the spot, they could have gotten creative with something that was relevant to the program I was tuned in to.

Stay on the look out for more in-content spots like this one and be prepared to see them in your favorite program.

MSN Remains Microsoft Weakest Business Component

Although I find it hard to believe with all the pages of content and information, MSN continues to lag at Microsoft. Click here to read the full article.

I understand MSN is third in search behind obvious leaders Google and Yahoo, however with all the info that MSN provides I would believe they should generate even more revenue than the already $600+ million a quarter. There are plenty of pages to sell banner advertising on and I see more opportunity with online video. Maybe MSN should focus more on the aspects of destination content and more video from content partners. I see more opportunity for MSN here but it appears Search is the only thing they are working on improving.

However you can't blame them. Search is the revenue model to be jealous of online. I'm currently reading a book by John Battelle called "The Search." I highly recommend this book by the Wired co-founder. It goes in depth on the history of search and how Google came to be number one. Order it. If you have any interest in Search then you will enjoy it. Truth be told I thought I was buying a book about the history of Google from a biography standpoint but it's about much more than that.

Anyways though, back to MSN. As the typical consumer, I don't view MSN as a search site. I view it as a news and content site. I view it as the perfect site for Females 25-54 who are interested in health and entertainment info. I also view it as a great place to find aggregated news from across the country. Maybe MSN should just accept their role as number three and focus on other aspects of improving content to increase revenue.

Do You Have A BullS*** Job?

Click here to take the quiz: http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/bing/0705/quiz.bsjobs.fortune/index.html

When this list first came out, Advertising Agency Account Executive was number one.

Microsoft In Talks To Buy Yahoo

Read the full article here:http://www.ft.com/cms/s/786866bc-fa38-11db-8bd0-000b5df10621.html

More thoughts later.

Imus To Sue CBS Radio?

Don Imus apparently has hired a lawyer which leads us to believe that he might sue CBS Radio. Here is the link to the full story:http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/05/03/imus.cbs/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

Digital Signage Expo May 16-17th

The 2007 Digital Signage Expo will be held again this year in Chicago. The dates are May 16th & 17th. Here is the link to the Digital Signage Expo's web-site:http://www.digitalsignageexpo.net/

Are DVRs Really Hurting Advertisers?

DVRs. They are the new enemy to advertisers. Consumers love Tivo, and agencies hate them. How do we get around them? How do we sell advertisements that are not going to get skipped over? Will the good commercials not get skipped over or does it matter?

The truth is though I believe we are all over reacting. I have no data or factual info to back me up on this but it is my personal opinion that we need to step away for a minute and analyze our own viewing patterns to make a decision.

Digital Video Recorders have become the new phenomenon. Households are buying them up monthly and every room in the house is seeing one. We use them to record our favorite shows when we are out of the house so we can view them later. We ues them to record our favorite shows when we are in the house but busy, so we can watch them later. We also use them to record our favorite shows while we are watching them, so we can go back and watch later.

Is there a major problem here? I don't see one. The reason being is because we use DVRs for all sorts of reasons. Whether we are in the house or not, we still use them. But remember, the key phrase is we go back to watch the program later.

For those of you who have not used a DVR, when you fast forward through those commercials, you still have to see a few seconds of them. Remember how VCRs used to be when you would record a program, then fast forward, it would go to a blue screen and you would see the fast-forward button in the corner. DVRs still allow you to see the program while you are fast forwarding.

This is why DVRs are not killing the advertising. We still have to see a blip of the commercial. It does not disappear completely.

My viewing habits might be different than the rest of you. I record several of my favorite programs on a nightly basis. I go back and watch them when nothing is on, or when I'm doing housework and I want the tv on. I rarely fast forward a show that I've recorded because I'm busy doing stuff while the program is playing. I still hear the advertisements; several times in fact. I probably have a higher recall rate of anyone who has simply sat through the entire program earlier in the week. The reason being is because I've already watched this program again two or three times (Seinfeld, I still enjoy it over and over again) and I have now heard the same ad just as many times.

The same rules apply for me if I actually sit and fast-forward through the program. I have now seen every advertisement; albeit in a few quick seconds I've still seen the ad. If it's an ad that I've seen before then an advertiser is still building frequency in my mind because I've now seen the ad again and it's stuck.

So although my analysis is in no way factual. It is not based on any research. It is solely based on my own viewing habits and ideas. I refuse to believe that television advertising is being eroded because of DVRs. If anything, I believe it is giving advertisers more opportunity to reach their audience. What harm can it be to the advertiser if I watch that same recorded show two, three, or four times? No harm at all because they just received free advertisements and increased their frequency without even knowing it.