Out-Of-Home Video Advertising Bureau Forms Advisory Board

Place based Out of home media was a $6.8 billion industry last year and one group of professionals is hoping to measure the industry further. OOH digital media, which still does not get the recognition it deserves, had the first steps taken last year when the OVAB was formed. I had the good fortune of attending this meeting and meeting several of the individuals who are behind the organization and I can't thank them enough. As I've mentioned before, I'm a huge believer in this industry and see it exploding in the next few years. As the media landscape changes, OOH opportunities are going to continue to open up and advertisers need to take note now.

Check out the article at Adage.com. Also see the OVAB's web site here.

New York Times Cuts Deal with NBC For '08 Presidential Coverage

The New York Times announced today that they have cut a deal with NBC for joint coverage on the 2008 Presidential campaign. Other newspaper companies should take notes from this and figure out how they can be first through the door with remaining parties including CNN, FOX, ABC, and CBS. The New York Times understands that they have the distribution but that NBC news will be where consumers will turn to each night for immediate updates.

Click here to read the article.

Some Of You May Remember This Wendy's Spot

This video was selected by WeShow

Survey Proves That Consumers Watch Videos Online

Click here to view the article at the LATimes.com.

CW Network Continues To Break The Mold

The CW Network will unveil their ten-second experiment called "cwickies" soon. CW is well known for breaking out of the norm and creating marketing opportunities for their advertisers. Of course when you are far behind the big 4 (NBC, ABC, CBS, and FOX) you have to find a way to stand out.

Frankly I'm having troubles figuring out why CW would be getting so much publicity for ten-second commercials. Because we all know that whether an advertiser wants to show five-second spots or sixty-second spots, the network will figure a way to get them in for the right rate. I applaud the PR department for CW before I give the marketing/sales group any props.

Anyways, watch for the fifth-rated network to debut their "cwickies" real soon. Click here to view the article from Adage.com.

New York Times Company Reports An Operating Profit Loss

Click here to read the entire article.

Orbit "Lint Licker" Commercial Is The Best Of The Group

Podcasting Is Great, But How Do We Capitalize On It?

Podcasting has become the latest and greatest for radio shows and news television programs for all of us on the go. Just download the latest edition of the am news and head for the subway and you'll know all you need for the day. The only problem is, "How can we capitalize on this new media opportunity?"

Podcasters are now getting together to try and figured this out, and they appear to be close. Click here to read the article.

TBS Scores It's Third Hit With Bill Engvall Show

Cable networks are not typically known for their original programming, however TBS is trying to re-write that thought. Turner Broadcasting now has three original programs airing weekly, they include My Boys, House of Payne, and the Bill Engvall Show. My Boys debuted last year and the network ordered a full season for 2007-2008. House of Payne is written and directed by Tyler Perry and the Bill Engvall Show will be able to ride the coat tails of not only a successful comedian, but the blue collar comedy that he has been associated with for years.

Click here to read the article at Media Week.

Newspaper Ad Sales Continue To Decline

It's rare these days to hear that a newspaper posted a positive quarter, in fact, we haven't even read about a flat quarter. But today again we learned that more newspapers are taking hits, this time it's McClatchy Company and Media General Inc. Circulation continues to drop and print is slowly dying as the medium to turn to. Click here to read this article at the Los Angeles Times.

Google To Sell Ads For More Than 225 Newspapers

Google will begin utilizing their AdWords program in an entirely different way. Now their advertisers will have access to a circulation of more than 30 million, with papers such as the Washington Post, New York Times, and the Los Angeles Times. Click here to read the article.

Redstone Family Feuding At CBS and Viacom

The Redstone family is reportedly feuding about various issues these days and many close to Viacom say it has to do with Mr. Redstone's constant urge to remain in control. Click here to read the article about the state of one of the largest media companies.

Lack Of Advertising Dollars Threatens Business 2.0 Publication

A popular magazine amongst the media and technology industry, Business 2.0, might be looking at publishing their final issue in September. The magazine is owned by Time Inc. Click here to read the article.

I will personally be disappointed if this magazine stops circulation. I currently subscribe and have for over the past few years. Each month the magazine is filled with information about the latest startup, newest trend in advertising, and of course, a good article about the hottest gadgets.

I'm actually surprised to hear that their advertising dollars are down. Of course, print advertising as a whole is down, and several popular magazines have shut down over the past year but this is one that has a special following and targets a very specific audience.

Stay tuned to see what the future holds for Business 2.o.

Sonic Ads Continue To Draw Rave Reviews

Advertising Age's Bob Garfield recently posted an article about the fast food chain Sonic and their brilliantly funny commercials. The spots typically feature friends and a couple in the drive thru of one of their locations. They feature several different premises and are repeatedly fresh. Check out the article here and be sure to watch the spots posted in the article.

Just As We Thought We Understood The Internet, This Guy Invents Something New

Click here to read the article about new software that incorporates web video.

Meet Ben Silverman: The Man In Charge Of Turning Around NBC

Click here to read all about him and the tough task ahead.

Marketers Still Trying To Understand The Web

As we sit here in 2007, many people still have yet to understand or learn how to use the internet. The most alarming thought though is that marketers, agencies, and blue chip advertisers are still scratching their heads as how to exactly advertise online.

The internet brings a number of different options that marketers have not had in the past. Online advertising can include banners, pre-roll video, embedded video, roll-over video, etc. etc. The point is, we're still trying to figure out new and innovative ways to use that content and the most engaging ways to reach people without turning them away.

It's well known that the most annoying ads out there are pop-ups and transition ads, but pre-roll video is beginning to bother people as well, and marketers have to find a way to keep you tuned in before your video starts. Pre-roll video is a great way to reach someone because of the 1 to 1 impression that you are most likely guaranteed to receive.

In the past, pre-roll video was typically a :30 commercial that would run right before your news clip on sites such as CNN.com, ESPN.com, or MSNBC.com. Even your favorite broadcast websites are now utilizing pre-roll video. But :30 commercials online have now become a thing of the past because research is telling us that you won't tune in past the first :10. New standards are now being utilized online and many advertisers are now using :10 and :8 spots.

Amazingly enough though, we still have troubles tuning in for :08. We click the start button and then open a new page, listen for our ad to finish then go back to the page to watch the video we originally wanted. This goes to show you the habits of media users and why the media landscape is always changing.

These days though marketers are coming up with new and innovative ways to reach us online. It includes games, contests, and other unique applications that draw our attention and force us to log more minutes with their brand.

Click here to read the article from the Los Angeles Times regarding new ways marketers are trying to reach us.

Watch A Preview Of NBC's New Fall Program "Chuck"

Chuck happens to be an anticipated program in NBC's new fall lineup. Although the same can't be said about the Bionic Woman, Journeyman, and others. Chuck will debut on Tuesday, September 25th at 9pm.

Jack-in-The Box Will Continue To Air Ads Targeted At Rivals

A district judge ruled today that Jack-in-the Box can continue to air ads that poke fun at Carl's Jr. and other rivals. Their "Angus Beef" advertisements have created some controversy because they are specifically targeting competitors who are focusing on Angus Beef. Click here to read the article.

How Bad Is This Scion Commercial?

This :60 commercial is running at movie theatres across the country. Watch it first then you may agree with me that it is a failure. It's sixty seconds of nothing content, which fails miserably to reach the young Scion demographic.

Simpsons Movie Takes Out-of-Home Marketing To A Whole New Level

The Simpsons movie will be well anticipated this summer when it releases on July 27th, but the marketing team behind the Simpsons is doing an extroidinary job of promoting this film. Advertising Age is reporting today that 7-11 stores will re-design and essentially re-brand themselves for a few weeks to promote the movie. What will they brand themselves as? Kwik-E-Mart's of course. The picture seen at the left is a mock design.

I have one word for this idea; brilliant. Why nobody has taken advantage of this idea in the past is beyond me? All parties win in this situation. 7-11 is receiving, and going to receive weeks of publicity. The Simpsons movie, which already is well anticipated, is going to position themselves even better for an opening weekend. And marketers all around can now scramble to come up with ideas to top this one.

The only thing these stores will be missing is Apu, the lovable owner of Kwik-E-Mart's. Click here to read the article.

Hilarious Advertisement, Great Ad Campaign

The advertisement below is too funny for me to forget so I'm posting it here. In fact, the whole campaign is hilarious because with the slogan, "Don't judge too quickly," you can create some hilarious content. Enjoy.

Nielsen Adds To Their Portfolio By Acquiring Telephia

The New York Times is reporting that the Nielsen Company has acquired Telephia, a cell phone database tracking company for an undisclosed amount. Telephia is a private corporation which focuses in collecting data on cell phone calls, viewed videos, and advertising data.

This marks the first step for Nielsen into the mobile advertising industry. Click here to read the full article.