ktoddstorch @ business thoughts

Being Digital

Getting stuck in the Atlanta airport for a few hours gives me some time to pay attention to my blog...

A lot of my thought process (and a lot of my client's) has to do with building a digital strategy.  What caught my attention was an article on Internet News entitled "Is There Money in MySpace?".

As most of you know, News Corp paid over $500M for MySpace and of course, they want to recoup their investment...fast.

Read this article and see the challenges they are facing with monetizing one of the fastest growing websites out there (as well as the largest memberships).  They are NOT intending on making back their money on selling banner ads...

As Tom Parish has been saying, 'it is a wonderful time to experiment'.  The tactics are very interesting and keep your eyes on the strategies, because they will continue to expand/contract/change.

[read]

iPods in Autos

Apple has deals with 15 automakers for iPod integration.

This is a serious push to control Drive Time Ear Time.

[link] to iPod - MyRadio for Your Car
[link] to MarketWatch.com article

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tags:  ipod | drive time ear time

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

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

Change, Change, Change: Music Industry

We all know things are changing in the music biz (my posts here, here and here), but this post is a really good read with plenty of charts and numbers to really see the detail.

[read] via

Thx Droxy for the heads up!

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tags:  music business | ipod | satellite radio | itunes | radio

Adam Curry replaces Howard Stern: revisited

I was really onto something back in December, huh?

The Sirius announcement on Monday (5/1/05) also explains why Adam wouldn't comment on this blog post (going with the assumption that he was either thinking about this or was talking to Sirius or other companies about a deal like this). 

Adam did email me back in December with 'nice story, tho I'm no Howard Stern' after reading it.

[read] Adam Curry replaces Howard Stern, 12/17/04

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tags: adam curry | sirius | howard stern | satellite radio

Mel Karmazin trumps Infinity with podcasting

Sirius announces that Adam Curry will have his own daily show.  May 13th is the launch day for the show.  I believe purposely starting the Friday before Infinity's KYOU podcasting-only radio station that is set to debut on May 16th (touche Mel?).

Clear Channel, where is your podcasting strategy?  The press releases are already out, but where's the plan?

[read] via Forbes.com
[read] via NYtimes.com (sub. req.)

UPDATE (5/13/05)
[link] to Sirius' Adam Curry Podshow site

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tags: sirius | adam curry | infinity | mel karmazin

iPod killer?

Add WiFi to an .mp3 player and you have a device that solves all kinds of portability issues.

Imagine, you want to stream Internet music, download the latest podcast, connect to iTunes and buy a song right after you hear it on the radio, etc., boom, connect via WiFi and voila!

I expect iPod to answer.  Hmm...iPod + cell phone + WiFi?  Yeah baby!  I'm in!

Radio Marketing Nexus has a posting about this new product from Tao today.

[link] via

The "Drive Time Ear-Time" Race

Apple sold approximately 4 million iPod's during the holiday season and now the rush is to bring products to the market so you can listen to it in your car.

I personally am happy with my $30 iTrip, but there are plenty of offerings in the $150+ range that you will be able to buy.

The real trend I see here is what I'll call the race for "Drive Time Ear-time".  The time you spend in your car, getting from place to place is what the real issue is here.  The "TiVo" experience in the car is what the market seems to be demanding and the iPod seems to be the device to get it done...for the time being (almost any .mp3 player will do).

Time Trax has their device to record satellite radio and dump it to an iPod.  If you haven't heard about this, get ready, you will.  Especially with the new Sirius/Ford announcement yesterday.  You know publicly traded XM Radio can't wait long to make their "new" announcement, right?!

You know Adam Curry and all the podcasters are loving this as well!  Don't know what podcasting is?  You will very, very soon.

[read] Apple's iPod rocks car-stereo makers via
[read] Sat Radio Recording Moves Ahead via
[read] about podcasting

Sirius gets Serious with Ford

You knew that Mel would work quickly to get a deal like this done.  Having Ford put the Sirius radio in 21 models of their cars is a great way to get more and more people used to the service and to build demand.

Consumers won't even notice the monthly service charge because it will most likely get rolled into the monthly loan/lease payment. 

I know I've seen XM as an option on Chevy's, but don't know if they have an actual agreement for installations.

Hmm...I wonder if Howard Stern will have his own "brand" of Ford F-150?  Harley Davidson does, so why not Howard?!?

[read] via