Digital Dish

Adding Up Some Random Thoughts

August 11, 2008 10:33 AM

I’ve had a lot of thoughts that don’t exactly make for a whole blog posting lately.

For instance, I think the Google/Seth MacFarlane deal was really bright. An ad’s an ad no matter how you slice and dice it to the audience, but people probably will watch it, and it is a creative play while the market tries to sort itself out. I keep wondering who was behind it—Google? Endeavor? Smart. I want to have drinks with them.

I love the new Web shows coming out from Hollywood veterans. You have to understand, tech/Internet people have been doing this kind of stuff forever, and it’s very nice to see some variation and improvement of stories, content, etc. (both from you and them). I’ve been really impressed with how well some have marketed themselves, too. Good on it! It’s still really early for video online, but early stuff is important.

I’m also excited to see Silicon Valley/tech trying to angle into Hollywood. I heard that Revision3 was in the local press about having dreams of moving into entertainment. Glad to see it. Revision3 is a decent brand with the right idea, even if it’s a little techie for Hollywood/TV.

Confidential to Revision3: Create a few non-tech shows. Make some things that appeal to the same viewers being courted by Disney and CBS.

One thing that’s interesting is that Web projects out of Hollywood are almost entirely episodic, while those out of the Silicon Valley are short, newsy shows. It’s because the latter is cheaper and easier. WallStrip sold to CBS for $5 million. Just saying.

Also in recent news, the idea of magazines producing Web TV shorts on their print stories. Brilliant. What a cool, cool move on content and a smart play by print media in the Internet dog fight. That puts them right smack into the playing field with traditional television for Internet audiences, and that with a slightly slicker card to play, too.

We are so lucky to be riding through a major technological revolution like we are. It’s like the invention of the telephone, only better.