You are currently browsing the matt klawitter internet marketing archives for March, 2006.
Carne Asada Meets XHTML
March 23rd, 2006
Today is Thursday. That means the whole crew goes to La Esperanza on Ironwood in South Bend, Indiana. This is my favorite Mexican restaurant in the region, and it has become something of legend with the Notre Dame Web Group. If it is a Thursday at noon, we’re at La Esperanza — ask anyone that knows us. I even got a phone call there once from a colleague that knew they could find me there at that time.
A large group of us have been going to La E religiously every week since we started at Notre Dame – some even longer than that. As usual, when we entered the dining room today, the host directed us to the back room where they had already prepared our table with water, salsa, and dinnerware. They said welcome back and “we were waiting for you.” They asked if we needed menus or if we would like something to drink other than water. This usually means “orchata,” which is a very tasty sugary rice drink.
The owner of the restaurant, Javier, waved and said “hello, guy.” He always makes sure things are going well, and if it gets busy, he helps out with the labor – always smiling. Our waiter is also prompt and courteous. We almost always get the same waiter, but he consistently is professional and business-like. The food always tastes great. We go back every week because we know the service is good and the food is always served fast. They obviously follow a standard or set of rules to ensure quality and consistency during development of the meal.
In a sense, our group is “La Esperanza.” That is, we do this same service for Notre Dame when it comes to supporting and growing the Web marketing communications of the University. We both run a business and have customers or clients. I guess that makes me “Javier,” our project managers the waiters, and the developers/designers/writers the chefs. When you put it all together, the customer gets a high-quality experience, great products, and encouragement to come back next time they are hungry.
Finally, since I have such big ideas and plans for the Web at Notre Dame and our team is so talented and productive, it makes me laugh that “La Esperanza” means “the hope.” Considering what we are going to do this year for Notre Dame’s marketing communications on the Web, I am full of hope – especially on Thursdays.
Web Video Continues to Flourish
March 5th, 2006
The second half of 2005 on the Web marked a surge in on-line commercial video distribution. Several historic products and services were released, and mainstream media outlets began offering their video content catalogs available for download. Basically, as the majority of Internet users upgraded to high-speed last year (thanks to the broadband wars of 2005), these users collectively asked the question, “Where’s the video?”
The Web’s second most prevalent stereotype is that it only offers short, choppy, pixelated video. (If you do not know the Web’s number one stereotype, then you must be under the age of eighteen.) However, as more and more users took advantage of cheap broadband deals in 2005, the on-line trends related to Web video began to change.
If you can remember the first day you got broadband at home, your first thought after installation was probably something along the lines of, “OK now, what can I do with this awesome power?” And, in 2005, if you were between the ages of 18-34, then odds are you started going to your computer first for entertainment instead of your television. If you are male, then those odds are even higher. So what’s on?
Viral Videos
Sure, viral videos have been on the Web for several years. These are the homemade amateur videos that usually are in the same vain as America’s Funniest Videos, but are either too violent or lewd to air on national television. However, these videos simply had limited or no commercial value and represented a very limited audience.
Websites like iFilm (http://www.ifilm.com) and, more recently, YouTube (http://www.youtube.com) capitalize on these viral videos by giving them a central source. Most of these videos are sophomoric in nature, but others are quality independent films and some even legitimate news. This genre of Web video has even crossed over to TV. (http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/webjunk_20/series.jhtml)
News Video
Naturally, the news media have a future in the world of Web video. They are all trying to figure out the right formula between the traditional television and the Web. But, so far, this has meant a total separation of both distribution channels. However, some corporations, such as CNN (http://www.cnn.com/pipeline/), are experimenting with TV/Web hybrids. That is, websites that blend static, HTML-only text with high-quality broadband video streams. Others offer video playback options on-line with resources for connecting and socializing with other viewers.
Pay-per-download Video
This took a monstrous leap forward with the addition of video to iTunes software (http://www.apple.com/itunes/). Along with this service came a new portable device with video. Apple, partnered with NBC and its library of content, began offering iTunes users the option to purchase video on-line and to view it on a laptops or iPod. Users flocked to the service and continue to do so today. Apple continues to add popular network television shows to its on-line video store.
Google (http://video.google.com) also recently started to distribute Web video and has partnered exclusively with CBS.
Subscription-based Movie Service
Several new interesting “start-ups” (I quoted this because most are owned by large corporations) such as Vongo (http://www.vongo.com) are trying a new formula with downloadable full-length feature films. Vongo offers unlimited access to about 1,000 movies and now nearly 1,500 total pieces of video content for less than $10 per month. Pay-per-view content is also an option at Vongo. If successful, this could be the beginning of the end for physical media such as DVD.
Extension Video
The most intriguing mixture of television and Web video content is what I call “extension video.” These are the websites that offer extended views at content that was either cut by the editors, the network, or just are lengthened versions of the same video offered in broadcast. For example, Comedy Central has a section of its website called “Motherload” (http://www.comedycentral.com/motherload/). Viewers can watch clips from the most popular shows on this channel or view unaired video. They also test certain videos that if popular may be broadcast on television.
Scripps Networks, Inc., the company that distributes and owns content for channels such as HGTV, DIY, and the Food Network, promotes a “video only website.” At Living.com, (http://www.living.com/), users can view clips from its extensive catalog – no text, just pure video.
The Future of Web Video
The line between television and Web video is increasingly blurred. Competition between broadband Internet access providers in 2005 and the release of video in iTunes started a trend that will continue in 2006. Devices and services such as Tivo, Slingbox, and the maturation of the websites mentioned above are all contributing factors.
2006 is the year of video on the Web.
Posted in Predictions | Permalink
