ktoddstorch @ business thoughts

Comcast On-Demand

We have Comcast Digital Cable at our house and I recently stumbled on the On-Demand features this weekend.

I've heard of On-Demand and even attended a conference presentation by a Comcast employee discussing the technology.  However, until Saturday, I had never used the product.

First of all, there is some great value propositions from On-Demand:

• free movies
• Premium movies (this is what they advertise the most.  "Use On-Demand instead of renting DVD's is the main message)
• guitar lessons (I really enjoyed checking these out!)
• kids shows
• Monty Python episodes!
• Sundance Channel movies and other independant films

I knew that you could pay for movies using On-Demand, but didn't realize the depth of "free" programming that was available.  Ryan, Taylor and I watched Jason and the Argonauts together, which made for some fun.

Comcast, how did you miss me?  I'm an early adopter that loves tech and gadgets and I stumbled upon you. 

Suggestion...offer up RSS feeds on programming choices and stop relying on "station promos" to describe your product.  I hardly ever watch live TV and I skip commercials using TiVo.

[link] to Comcast On-Demand

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tags:  comcast | tivo | on-demand

International Word of Mouth Conference

I was asked to speak at the 1. International Word-of-Mouth Conference in Hamburg, Germany this October 6th and 7th.

Unfortunately, due to my current schedule, I won't be able to attend.  This conference is put on by Brand Science Institute.

Be sure to check out the very cool companies and panels on the schedule. 

Anyone out there going to be blogging and podcasting from the conference?  Please email me or leave a comment.

[link]

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tags:  word of mouth | brand science institute | international word of mouth conference

Michael Tchong: "A Nation of Control-Freaks"

If you've been reading for the last few weeks, you have notice a number of references to Michael Tchong and the word Ubercool (read posts here and here).  The reason is simple:  he gets it.  Quick back-story:

I first met Michael at the CSS RDQ conference, where he was the keynote speaker.  He gave a great presentation centered around what he calls "Ubertrends" and he specifically spoke on Time Compression.  Quick summary:  most everything in our life is becoming time compressed (ie. TiVo, drive thrus, fast food, iPod, podcasting, etc.).

He started this section by saying "we are creating a nation of control freaks".  I have to agree.

You know I'm an early adopter, so here's a few things that I have going on due to my geekness:

• updating my iTunes based on new podcasts that I receive.  This causes me to set up a "1 Day Old" Playlist so I can classify the new podcasts and put the programs in specific categories (I don't use iTunes to capture podcasts; I still use iPodder because I like the way it handles the feeds and aggregates the programs directly into iTunes instead of through the "Podcast" application)
• updating my TiVo to capture the shows I want/need to watch (lets not forget that Tara is actively setting up stuff for her and the kids as well)
• keeping up with my Bloglines' feeds by deleting and adding new blogs/RSS feeds based on new recommendations or things that help or interest me and my job

The bottom line is that you end up having to be your own "program director".  It doesn't take much time to do this, but it is an activity that needs to crossed off the To Do list.  But, I guess this is what it takes to watch, listen and read what I want, when I want, instead of passively letting info drift to me, right?

Michael, you're right...I am a control freak.

[link] to Ubercool blog, Bringing Trends to Life

[listen] to a great podcast, hosted by Tom Parish, interviewing Michael Tchong

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tags:  ubercool | michael tchong | time compression | tom parish

Tapping Into Emotions: Just Do It

Nike gets even more publicity for their Lance Armstrong campaign thanks to David Letterman.

You know I'm a sucker for anything Lance...

[read] via AdFreak

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tags:  lance armstrong | nike | david letterman | livestrong

WIFM - The Favorite Station to Listen to and Watch

My media consumption habits over the last few months have really begun to change.  As a "radio guy", you know how much I've been watching, learning and playing in the podcasting and technology realm over the last year.

As I thought more about this, I realize that all of us are watching and listening to only one station:  WIFM.

You know, What's In it For Me.  I've used this acronym for years with my sales people, but it is really true now as personalization and  customized content is here to stay (a la TiVo, podcasting, iPods, etc.)

As a guy making his living in radio, my radio consumption is a bit skewed because when I'm listening to radio, it really is a work function.  I haven't really "just listened to radio to listen" for over a decade.

Just a quick review of my recent media consumption:

TV - I can't remember watching a "live" show.  Seriously, dang near never. 
Why?

• TiVo - when Tara and I do actually sit down to "watch TV", we are watching shows we decide to watch and when.  Same thing for our kids.  No longer are they plopped down to watch TV, they are watching shows that Tara has saved on TiVo (and they skip the commercials...)
• Internet - there is just more compelling content out there via the Internet and, I would rather blog or do something more productive than just "watch TV"
• Television shows on DVD - Tara and I got hooked on 24 this season, so now we are catching up in the "off season".  We have rented and watched both season 1 and 2 already and look forward to 3 and 4 before the new 5th season starts. 

Newspaper - I only subscribe to Sunday's paper and have so for years.  Why?  Tara loves to go through the coupons.  I have no need for the newspaper because I get my info from a number of newspaper's RSS feeds, Google News and the blogs I follow.

iPod/Podcasting - I love podcasts.  I have a number that I subscribe to and I will mainly listen while I'm running or while I'm doing work at home.  I listen to shows that have content that interests me.  Triathlon, technology, cycling, music, business issues, etc.  I would say that listening to podcasts has replaced listening to CD's for me.  No longer am I hitting shuffle on my iPod music collection to fill that time.  I am specifically listening to content that has relevance to me.

So, what does all of this mean?  It means that traditional media (ie, TV, radio and newspapers) need to find ways to continually become relevant.  Yes, there are more choices than ever for content, but this is different than "57 channels and nothin' on".  Now, consumers have the choice of what and when.

Having the choice of "when" is more powerful that just the choice of "what". 

So, we (consumers) are becoming program directors of our own station, WIFM.  What, and When is In it For Me?

What about You?!

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tags:  tivo | ipod | podcasting | personalization

Please, please let me win!

Blog from the Tour de France while following Lance Armstrong?!  Oh my...this is perfect for me.

Check out what I would/should be doing (link) this July.

What a great contest from Subaru!  I've already registered and could use your good luck wishes.

Think I'm excited about the upcoming Tour de France?

[link] to Race to the Tour

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tags:  lance armstrong | tour de france | subaru

The Power of a Brand: liveSTRONG

HP and chip manufacturer AMD have teamed up to offer a liveSTRONG branded laptop.  AMD has a history in sponsoring Lance's cycling teams and is activating this sponsorship in a really interesting way.

Not only will $50 be donated to the Lance Armstrong Foundation from each laptop sold, but AMD has made a 2 year commitment to generate $4M for the LAF.

Another great sponsorship activation:  each laptop with include the popular yellow liveSTRONG wristband and yellow colored stereo ear buds, but more importantly, HP and AMD state that they will be donating laptops to area LAF cancer centers.

These type of sponsorships are great examples of using a popular brand and activate the sponsorship within a community.

[link] via
[link] to all liveSTRONG category posts

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tags: livestrong | hp | amd

Comcast, you really dropped the ball

I got a direct mail piece today that absolutely sucks. 

Here's how it reads:

• Comcast values your opinion. - Title page
• Tell us what you think. - Inside page 2

Whether it's Digital Cable, High-Speed Internet, or both, Comcast is proud to be your source of entertainment and communication services.  We want to thank you for being a Comcast customer...your business is important to us.

And your complete satisfaction is our goal.  Please take a moment to complete the short survey below to help us make your Comcast service even better.

• 2005 Customer Survey - this is where it blows me away.

What services do you have?  Cable TV, High-Speed Internet, Digital Phone

Then they go on to ask me Excellent, Good, Fair or Poor on a number of questions.

I'm really amazed because don't they know what services I have?  Why not tailor this survey to what services I currently use and see if they could get info from me to determine how to get me to use more of their services?

Also, why do I need to fill out my Name, Address, City, Phone, email, etc. when they already sent this to me in the mail and they already have this info????

Amazing.  What a waste of money.

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tags: comcast | direct mail | customer surveys

Lance Armstrong: A Goldmine for Discovery Channel?

Lance was named the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year for the 3rd year in a row.  Ties him with Michael Jordan for consecutive wins.  Look for even more liveSTRONG bracelet sales!

Most of you know that the Discovery Channel has picked up the title sponsor of his professional cycle team, now that USPS' sponsorship has expired.  Discovery promised new Lance racing programming, new ways to cross promote their other TV properties and a host of other Lance programming to add ratings gold surrounding his mainstream popularity.

Lance says he is 50/50 on returning to the Tour de France in 2005 and will make his decision in the upcoming months, but my opinion is that there is no way he won't race.  His competitive nature won't let a shot at 7 consecutive TdF's go by.  Also, I'm sure the Discovery Channel has plenty of TdF programming riding on Lance in the race, not to mention their ad department luring the OLN advertisers.

How much pressure will his new sponsors put on him to race?  Sirius has a new contract with him as well for a radio show.

Regardless, his sponsors, especially Discovery will be looking for ways to maximize their investment and there is no bigger stage for Lance in sports than the TdF.

UPDATE - 1/12/05
I promise to keep the Tour de France and Lance Armstrong posts to my personal blog, but when it comes to impactful business issues and thoughts, you'll see them here.  Reuters reports that Lance's contract with Discovery Channel does include that he must ride in another TdF.  With the new team's announcement yesterday, there will be a lot of speculation and pressure for him to ride this year.

Cycling is a much bigger sporting event in Europe than here in the States, but Lance has helped cross the TdF and cycling into mainstream America (who hasn't heard of the liveSTRONG bracelet or Tour de France now?).
[read] Reuters post on Lance's Discovery Channel contract obligations
[link] for Discovery Channel team announcement via

Mediathink's 2005 Predictions

This is a very good read.  Thank you to Radio Marketing Nexus for pointing this article out!

Mediathink has predictions on:
Accountability
TV/Cable
TiVo
TV on the web
The movie business
Games
Radio
Music
Search Engines
Podcasting/RSS/Blogging
Rich Media

[read] full article