Jaffe Juice

DVR Dissing...

A new study from Magna Global (a quick glance at my conflict of interest indicator reveals a score of 115 on a scale of 1 = low conflict of interest and 100 = high conflict of interest) declared that DVR's will end up being more like pay TV (huh?)

"DVR is going to be an add-on to the TV experience rather than a substitute for it," says Brian Weiser, vice president and director of industry analysis of Magna Global USA.

...but wouldn't a substitute for it BE a pay-TV experience? Also, to call TV an experience without the TV is like calling the naked emperor well dressed.

Happy Tuesday

wow, a lot of news for one humble blogger and podcaster to cover, so for now here are the links: (peruse at your leisure)

• Dvorak says Podcasting is the next big thing; in a related incident, Jaffe looks into buying a yacht (admittedly it is a toy model)
• Magna issues branded entertainment checklist (I will cover this in next week's podcast) Item 1: Secure front row tickets to Oprah; Item 2: Make sure to zoom in on logo
• Apparently new research suggests commercial falloff/out is less than was previously expected; in an unrelated incident, confirmed sightings of dodo and loch ness monsters stun world
• Real people continue to put fake people and droids out of a job - WSJ article on how other advertisers are following Dove's tail (sub reqd)

The PC equivalent of HD

I've just bought a new laptop with a WXGA screen (supports a max resolution of 1366 horizontal pixels by 768 vertical pixels) It's not as evil as UXGA or the granddaddy WUXGA, but it kicks serious ass on anything I've ever viewed in my life.

Why should you care? Because it truly changes everything.

To give you a parallel....think moving from black 'n white to color, or regular TV to HDTV. That's kind of what's happening with PC's and you really have to experience it yourself to truly immerse yourself in the kind of quality video which to date has been reserved for TV. I even find myself watching ads online...and visiting the resultant websites :)

This is the first time I've ever experienced true TV-like video online. It's all good.

Amazing campaign for Nike

This is just a brilliant integrated campaign for Nike; for Soccer; for New Marketing.

For a brand to get behind an initiative with this kind of irreverent and edgy tone is authentic and refreshing - case in point, "not that america cares, but congrats USNT" P.S. They just qualified for the World Cup in Germany in 2006.

I love everything about the website...the video , the viral angle, and the overall experience. I am somewhat partial to Soccer (world's number 1 sport) and the frustration felt by its lack of penetration in the US, but even without my biases, I think this is just a terrific campaign. Methinks congrats to R/GA (I could be wrong)

It's HERE: The Podcasting Debut of Across the Sound

Steve Rubel and I dropped subtle hints yesterday, but now we're ready to formally announce our new weekly podcast on marketing. It's called Across the Sound.

Each week Steve and I will discuss the worlds of new marketing, new media and PR. Steve is truly an industry pioneer. He is one of the most respected and influential bloggers and has literally rewritten the rules of publicity and staked out a bold territory where the worlds of corporate and personal leadership reside in perfect harmony.

We named our podcast Across the Sound because I live in Westport, CT and Steve lives on the other side of the Sound on Long Island.

Please give a listen and if it tickles your fancy, subscribe to our podcast. The podcast is listed on Odeo and it should be in the iTunes Music Store in the coming days. However, above all please do leave us feedback. We're just getting started and we're eager to learn.

Update: Theme for next week's show will be Product Placement/Branded Entertainment. Send in your questions for "Ask the Podders" to [email protected]

It's coming....

Truth in Advertising (and other oxymorons)

This is a nice piece from the BBC which lists a collection of horrible cliches and commonly, overused exaggerations from advertising.

I thought it very appropriate given the recent moves from Dove (Unilever) and Nike to adopt a more reality-based approach to their advertising.

Here are a few to get you started: (courtesy of both the writer + readers)

• Any act of male stupidity (e.g. walking across a clean floor in muddy boots, putting the dog in the dishwasher, etc.) will be met with a wry smile, not genuine annoyance/anger.
• It's OK to racially stereotype eskimos
• Driving in a brand new car leads immediately to all other traffic being kept off the road

Content is King (so is context)

In case you haven't heard the story yet...two similar photographs were posted in a Yahoo! news photo gallery. The photograph above refers to a young man (note ethnicity) "looting" a store, whereas the one below refers to two residents who "found" bread and soda from a local grocery store.

The uproar from the community led Yahoo! News' GM, Neil Budde (how's it going, Neil...been a while) to issue this message which mentions that AFP (one of the suppliers of the photos) has since asked all clients to remove the photos...but not before it (and side by side comparisons) had spread throughout the blogosphere and online communities.

The story within a story reveals the following:

1) Note Neil's responsiveness. Kudos to him for not only communicating back to his readers, but also for providing links to parallel conversations such as the one within Flickr

2) This is another demonstration of the collective consumer community to mobilize and effect change on a broader level. Hopefully this same passion and commitment will translate into continued momentum and support to aid those who so desperately need it right now.

Peace.

What can brown do for you?

Screenshot of brand or is it van integration in the latest EA game, Nascar 06.

Interesting points here:

1) The "buy" cost more than a national 30-second TV spot, according to a spokesperson. Whichever way you look at it, it's still cheap.

2) Gamers unlock the ability to drive around the truck with a special code...so there is a reward factor.

3) No matter how badly one drives, the truck is never damaged. Personally, I wouldn't care as long as the package arrives in time to Jose Avila III.

Ring Sting

Absolutely brilliant integrated effort for “The Ring 2” (thanks JB)

SPOILER ALERT: Read on at your own risk

Basically you get an e-mail with a link to the trailer for the movie, but when you click on the link to watch the clip…guess what happens next? That’s right…your phone rings with an appropriate blood-curdling message of doom and destruction.

It’s so simple if you think about it, which is also what makes it the perfect example of how transparent technology can be in a perfect communications effort.