|
|
Credit: Lar
deSouza
|
(5/19/2003 5:45 PM PT) Lots
of little news items keep bouncing around:
- Disney has announced that they will be offering a new
method of DVD rental, where consumers will longer need
to worry about returning DVDs on time. They will simply self-destruct
after 48 hours. Although this may seem like something
out of James Bond, this is all real. Due to a chemical
that rusts when exposed to oxygen, within 48 the DVD will no
longer be playable, once opened. Disney hopes this will allow
them to tap into a wider market, as well as bypass rental
services, since those DVDs can be sold in normal
stores. I recall getting a press kit
DVD from MGM for the Bond film. The packaging claimed that the
DVD will self-destruct - I thought it was a joke in theme with
the movie. Turns out that the DVD did in fact go through the
process of rusting and turn black from its original red color
coating. But now the real question is:
How soon is it before someone figures out a way to
"hack" the chemicals? Already a vivacious discussion
ensues on the subject.
- New Media Strategies has released another marketing
survey, this time answering a question that seems to be on the
minds of millions: Who will win American Idol? But anxious
viewers need not worry about waiting until Wed.
New Media Strategies says that 56% of the 1200 internet users
surveyed believe Clay Aiken will be the next American
Idol, beating out Ruben Studdard. A close call.
"The 'Idol' franchise remains incredibly strong, and
though viewers are nearly split on who they think will win,
one thing is almost unanimous: More than anyone since J.R.
Ewing, Simon Cowell takes the title of the man America
loves to hate," said NMS CEO Pete Snyder.
- Just in time for summer, A&W has launched their A&W
Root Beer Cookout Contest titled, "From Alabama to
Wyoming...Who Throws the Best All-American Cookout?" And
guess who will show up to judge? None other than Jim
Belushi! The celebrity judge (Belushi) is asking
contestants to submit their ultimate party plans in 300 words
or less to describe their perfect all-American cookout.
Five finalists will be chosen and awarded 5,000 dollars
to actually throw their perfect barbecue. Belushi will pick
one grand prize winner, According to Jim, and fly them
to Los Angeles to throw the Best All-American Cookout at the House
of Blues with his band, The Sacred Hearts entertaining.
|
(5/13/2003 2:45 PM PT)
New Media Strategies, an online marketing firm specializing in
online brand promotion and protection, was kind enough to drop
a report in my mailbox today detailing the results of a survey
that they have conducted on the connection between the film
& gaming industries. The survey shows that 67% of game
consumers are more likely to buy or rent a video game if it's
tied in to a successful film. According to the report nearly a
quarter of online gaming consumers said that they would buy a
game based on a film even before ever seeing the film in
theaters! "The excitement and hype-factor of
Hollywood buzz undoubtedly helps to sell more
games," said NMS CEO Pete Snyder.
X-Men, The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter,
James Bond and Spiderman have all been
successful with video gamers as result of their movie
tie-in.
To learn more about New Media Strategies visit www.newmediastrategies.net
Also:
As follow up to my piracy story, I was sent a press
release about iMesh (www.imesh.com),
a leading peer-to-peer
company which allows users to download, and share files. The
company is challenging the music industry/publishers to make
all content available online. iMesh claims that artists are
leaving fans no choice in a statement made today:
"The
music industry needs to realize that the file sharing industry
continues to thrive, and is not going away. While publishing
companies and musicians have challenged file sharing companies in
court, the time has come after last week's landmark ruling to
realize that artists and publishers have clearly created a situation
where users have little alternative but to
search for free content online," stated Elan Oren, CEO of iMesh.
"For nearly 3 years, we have spoken with the music industry,
and publishers to provide full, legal content online, and they
aren't responsive. Publishers need to make all material, including
the newest and most popular files available online, in the same form
and manner as original music. We should work together to
create a true partnership with file sharing companies to convert
users to paid content. File sharing companies must work
together with publishers to determine fair pricing, and a business
structure. By not offering all content online, our millions of
monthly users continue to tell us that musicians are helping to
create the problem, as they don't offer a choice for consumers
seeking top notch content online -- thereby exacerbating the
problem," added Oren.
"With file sharing companies you can find all musical content
online, in
contrast to publishers sites which offer limited inventory.
Consumers seek
the best and newest material, and by publishers not making
everything
available, consumers will continue to seek out file sharing
companies, where they can get great service and everything they
want. By releasing spoof files, users aren't fooled and arent
satisfied, as they can still find the unaltered versions. The music
industry is realizing very small revenues from
file sharing -- Why not seek to further monetize an existing
market?" added Oren.
"While record sales continue to decline, and plastic piracy
continues to
grow, publishers and artists must realize the changing times.
By achieving
zero conversion from current file sharing users, the music industry
needs to
change and move forth in order to achieve success. Placing all
content
online is a good first step, within a controlled, focused business
manner as
an initial distribution point," added Oren.
(5/12/2003
8:30 AM PT) Today
I'm going to head over for a press screening of The Matrix
Reloaded today. It is a highly secure screening due to the
extreme piracy going on. I share an unpopular stance, which is an anti-piracy.
However, I believe the best policy is not prosecution, but rather
prevention strong enough to eliminate temptation. People are tempted
by crime when it is A) easy, or B) necessary. Overpriced admission
can be a reason btw. So while I feel that the entertainment industry
should make it difficult for piracy to go on technically and is
responsible for this, I also believe that they should provide a more
worthy service to its audience. $15 for a single admission ticket is
a bit much.
On a different note, I have single handedly managed to solve a
problem related to car accidents while walking my dog today.
Fact is that cars are pretty faceless. Aside from color there is no
expression, no cuteness -- it is a machine and it looks like a
machine, but it carries humans and is driven by humans. If a person
bumps into you on the street, do you begin to shout and whistle?
Well, in most cases, no. So much anger is directed at cars, just
because they are faceless. So I propose that cars be designed with
cute, sentimental, cartoonish personalities. Maybe reminding of
Disney's Love Bug (which is, incidentally, out on special DVD from
soon), or Scooby, or... I mean how can you yell at the dwarf Sleepy?
Or run a dent into Bambi? What do you think? Tell me at: editor@modamag.com
PS.
Happy Mother's Day
(5/8/2003
11:30 AM PT) SPAM?
As someone who gets
unwanted e-mail in my mailbox, or what is otherwise known as Spam, I
do know the cause. Being an editor at modamag.com has its perks
since I am the one contacted with the most reader feedback, but the
major down is that I also get an outstanding amount of junk mail. It
has been getting so bad that I am struggling to filter through over
200 junk e-mails per day. This, however, served a lesson to me as to
how junk mail arrives. My e-mail address is posted all over the
website and the way that spammers work is that they have software
that picks up anything that looks like an e-mail address due to its
@. Another way that spammers get a hold of your e-mail is if you
sign up for mailing lists, or "free" services that end up
selling your soul, err, e-mail. Once your e-mail gets out on the
"black market" the Spam never stops. Those lists keep
getting resold over and over and over again, until you change your
e-mail, which, in the case of public personas such as myself is not
practical.
The
solution is to be smart about it ahead of time. Many users and
websites use images with the e-mail address written on it, or omit
the @, as well as using other little tricks to sway potential spammers
away. If you, or your children do not want to be hit with the Spam
bug, I’d suggest getting an e-mail address from a reputable
company and never ever posting it, nor signing up for any services
that require you to enter your e-mail. Or at least has a separate
account just for that usage. Hope this helps!
Have something to add? Send me your spam, errr, comments to editor@modamag.com
(5/6/2003 7:30 PM PT) As
you might have read earlier, this morning I journeyed unto the
radio. Once I figured out that I should probably listen to those
nice folks at Mojo Radio/The Bill Courage Show and not play with the
microphone it was uphill from there. And very fun! Time has gone by
rapidly... and the show was over. That was a sad moment for me. I've
actually got a few e-mails after the show, which was nice -- but if
you're one of the listeners reading this right now -- I'd like some
more!
Currently, I am working on a pitch for an entertainment only
radio/tv show... but unfortunately as far as radio goes, there
aren't all that many stations around here. (5/5/2003
5:30 PM PT) Oscar-winning
cinematographer Conrad Hall, ASC was honored on The Hollywood
Walk Of Fame with a star of his own... Read the details here.
Tomorrow
marks an interesting day for me. I will be chatting live on radio!
While I have been on radio before, it was not in the capacity of a
full guest. So by tomorrow, I would have met my goal of appearing in
every single medium: film, TV, print, web -- radio. Very exciting!
(Now if only I could get my own show...)
And of course, as usual, we are working on plenty of exciting
articles for Moda Mag. I hope you've been enjoying the updates thus
far. I know for a fact that quite a few gals enjoyed my Holes
Soundtrack review. It so happens that we have managed to tap the
"tweens" market with that one. Since posting the review, I
have been getting hundreds (and I am not exaggerating) e-mails from
girls who all seem to love Khelo Thomas (Zero) and Max Kasch (Zig-Zag)
-- They also seem to be under the impression that, and I quote, he
is their "man."
Interesting, ain't it?
PS. If by chance either of these guys (or really anyone from the
movie) are reading this note, feel free to e-mail me at editor@modamag.com
- Lots of girls want to hook up! ;)
|
