Working Hard

Next week Neilsen will start offering data that shows whether ads were skipped while watching a U.S. tv show. The sample is really small to begin with but it will grow and it will have statistical validity.

Advertising is changing dramatically. But there's hope - there's always hope!

If people are avoiding advertising messages by Tivoing and cancelling newspaper subscriptions, doesn't that mean the few that get through will make more of an impression?

Plus, intelligent product placement will always have impact. Does anyone who saw the movie 'Sideways' drink Merlot now?

Got a call this morning from the States that reminded me of all the many victims of 'old media'. While staff get fired from the Washington Post and Time magazine and some of the New York papers I don't see enough top management losing their jobs and they are the ones driving the wrong way. Why is a company allowed to run at a loss (Guardian and Daily Mail here in the UK) and the same top editors stay in place? Why do shareholders put up with that?

"Time Warner was busy on Tuesday with the 5% sale of AOL to Google, a deal which carried a $1 billion price tag." Cynzine 22.12.05

Two successful, clever companies, what do they think the future holds?

I love the idea of a tv station devoted to showing a burning log in a fireplace. Even cooler is the idea of a mini fireplace on your ipod:

"The WPIX-NY Yule Log is a Christmas tradition, and this year is no exception. On Christmas morning from 7a-11a, the Tribune owned NY station will once again air the loop of the burning log in the fireplace, a warm little ditty for those without a fireplace. And if that's not enough, they have also made it available for downloading onto your video iPod ( click here) so you can take it with you anywhere you go." Cynzine 22.12.05

I've just taken on an interesting research project. And even if it was bait, as one friend suggests, it was great bait!