conferences

The Future of Video

Posted on | Leave a comment

I just spend the day at Streaming Media East as part of New York Internet Week.  Great insight and tips (all tweeted from @manoushz) in person from video gurus like Revision 3′s Jim Louderback, AOL’s Ran Harnevo, the WSJ’s Alisa Bowen, Kevin Nalts, My Damn Channel’s Rob Barnett, Outrigger Media’s Paul Kotonis, Tubefilter’s Joshua Cohen, and Mondo Media’s John Evershed.  These are people who are living and breathing online video (and how to make money from it) day in and day out…and let me tell you, as a content person, some of the techy biz talk went right over my head.  Words like “granularity” and CPM often make us normal folks tune out.

So, in plain English, here is what the future of video holds for the journalism, education, corporate, and non-profit sectors from the Camera Ready experts.  Columbia University’s Duy Linh Tu predicts newsrooms will no longer silo video, Carmen Scheidel says Mediabistro is  working to get all its students on camera, Happtique’s Ben Chodor expounds on the social element of corporate video and what he calls “the studio in a box”, and Witness’ Chris Michael talks about video curation (and MidEast Youth) in the advocacy world.  Check it out!

 

Posted in Books, conferences, future of news, media, mediabistro, social media, video ideas, webcasts
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Google’s Head of Media & Brandcasting

Posted on

On Wednesday night, here in NYC, Google Presents: YouTube Brandcast. The evening is being billed as “an exclusive first look at YouTube’s original programming and insights into the world’s biggest audience,” as part of the Newfronts (the event for digital video content platforms to sell ad space upfront like TV channels have always done).

YouTube is revamping itself in an attempt to emphasize quality in addition to quantity video. I’ve always believed that production quality does matter. Videos like Shit Girls Say would never get so many views if they weren’t beautiful AND funny.

Here are some wise words on quality from my college drinking buddy (Sussex 1993-1994), Josh Spanier, who is now Google’s Head of Media.


“The ubiquity of everyone’s face digitized is a daunting reality for those looking to emerge from the clutter. What are content makers to do, aside from drown in this pixelated sea? But here’s hope: Not all content is created equally. Anyone can opine online; but the massive majority of online content is just chatter. Today, the axiom needs to be updated to “quality content is king.”

 

That quote comes from the Forward that Josh has generously written for my eBook CAMERA READY. It’s very nice and strange when old friends become terribly important.


Posted in conferences, social media, Uncategorized, video ideas
Tagged , , , , , , ,

Lean Start-Up Notes *plus a few job listings

Posted on | 1 Comment

So I’m hosting mediabistro’s Start-Up Bootcamp and last week we had Eric Ries, founder of the “Lean Start-Up” methodology & a Harvard Entrepreneur-in-Residence, speak.   He is all about getting companies/wanna-be companies “to test their vision continuously, to adapt and adjust before it’s too late”.  In fact, he recommends meeting every 6 weeks (with your partners, or yourself) to evaluate whether you should persevere (in which case, pat yourself on the back, and carry on) or “pivot” (quick, change track and make changes before you run out of $).

His book comes out in September and his blog is very helpful, if a bit wonky (look, I’m just a journalist).  But hey, if you are starting up a company, you better get wonky because as Eric says, “you are creating an institution, not just a product.”

P.S. For the technically minded, a few job listings via friends.

Position: Lead Solutions Architect and Engineer for “Who’s Who Wiki” Project Type: Full-time staff position (following 3-month trial period)Location: Mexico City, Mexico, Start Date: July or August 2011

San Francisco:
General Manager, INTEROP (IT industry’s Leading Event)

http://hiring.accolo.com/job.htm?id=273649200

Sales Executive, UBM TechWeb (Media/event/online ad sales)

http://hiring.accolo.com/job.htm?id=274511544

New York:
(Junior) Sales Executive UBM TechWeb (Media/event/online ad sales)

http://hiring.accolo.com:/job.htm?id=274499244

Sales Account Manager UBM TechWeb (Healthcare/Gov’t media/event/online ad sales)

http://hiring.accolo.com:/job.htm?id=274511885

NOTE: This position can also be based in the WASHINGTON DC area, although it would need to be run from a home office.

Posted in Books, conferences, jobs, mediabistro
Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

My Webcast with Rafat Ali

Posted on | Leave a comment

Today was Session #1 of mediabistro’s StartUp Bootcamp.

So incredibly impressed that paidContent founder Rafat Ali was our opening speaker…I know it is hard to nail that man down so props to MB!  Since he left paidContent almost exactly a year ago he’s been traveling the world, trying to get a life again, and figuring out the his next big idea.  He gave us a hint: it’s not his site Guidism, which he hasn’t posted to in months.

My 3 big takeaways:

1. Accept that the Big Idea you have right now will NOT be the one you end up launching. Kind of a good life lesson.

2. Social media etc. are not enough- to generate interest/$/support staff you must be old school and meet people face to face with a short, tech savvy presentation. If you aren’t ready for that, go to events and watch others in action.

3. Rafat said his next project was going to focus on consumers and travel. He was very cagey. Yes, he has the financial freedom to follow his passion….but the amount of time that any new venture requires means that you better be TOTALLY into your idea, not just think it’s a clever money-maker.

We have people participating from all over, from Missouri to Luxembourg.  So looking forward to finding out if they have a business idea or are hoping inspiration will strike this summer….

Posted in conferences, future of news, media, mediabistro, social media, Uncategorized, webcasts
Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

5 Reasons Why: Sign up for Startup Boot Camp…

Posted on | Leave a comment


I’m prepping to host mediabistro’s 8-week online Startup Boot Camp which kicks off July 20th with live sessions on Tuesdays from 2-3pm EST .  (the nitty gritty: you log into learnonline.mediabistro.com which uses the Adobe Acrobat Connect Pro platform so you see live video/chat/slides etc.).

You’ll be put to the test: do you and your Big Idea have the chops to succeed as an online content business? Draft a biz plan with 1-on-1 guidance from a top advisor…at then end, we’ll all vote on the most viable plans. The winners get exclusive feedback from venture capitalist Larry Kramer (Polaris Ventures).  Meanwhile, each week you’ll hear from some sh*t-hot online entrepreneurs who are going to make you work. it. out.  (I usually hate when people write. like. this. But here it applies. Also, “out” should be pronounced “owwwwwt”).  So DO something with yourself this summer!

And if that wasn’t enough: here are my top 5 reasons why you should sign-up for mediabistro’s Startup Boot Camp:

1. A bonus session has been added with Alexa Andrzejewski, cofounder of the power start-up Foodspotting (1mil. app downloads) for a live interview on funding your startup.

2. Even if you don’t have a Big Idea, this course will help you either come up with one (think Winklevoss…just kidding) or help you be a better consultant to others who are working on their Big Idea.

3. Watch me try to not look nerdy while wearing headphones while webcasting.  It will be done.

4. Anytime, anywhere.  Tell your boss you are going to a conference.  Then log-in from your Fire Island share.

5. Prove to yourself that you have better ideas that that guy who just told you he’s launching an app that “curates content”. Please.  Sounds like aggregation to me.

P.S. Use my promo code for $50 off….just type in MZ50 when you sign up. Make me feel useful.

Posted in conferences, future of news, media, mediabistro, social media, video ideas, webcasts
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Journalism Start-Up Boot Camp

Posted on | Leave a comment
Our boot camp will be more interactive.

My Thursday afternoons this summer are spoken for: I’ll be hosting mediabistro’s weekly online conference and workshop on entrepreneurial journalism.  Here’s the description:

Learn what to consider when launching your start-up. Draft your business plan over eight weeks with the help of your peers. Participants will vote on the most viable business plans in the group and the winner will have the chance to hear feedback from entrepreneur and venture capitalist Larry Kramer, who will also answer questions from the group. We’ll discuss viable business models for media start-ups and address key questions related to content distribution and monetization.

Very excited.  Not only a new method of teaching for me and mediabistro but also looking forward to getting to know participants with big (or small) media ideas…

See the full program and speakers list here.  Join us.

Posted in conferences, freelance work, future of news, media, media tips, mediabistro, reporting work, social media, Uncategorized
Tagged , , , , , ,

Inside Scoop on Mediabistro’s 2-Track Socialize Summit

Posted on | Leave a comment

I’m hosting Mediabistro’s Socialize event on Thursday and Friday.  The goal? To discover how to leverage social media to drive revenue.

Each days kicks off with a keynote speaker (Mitch Joel of Twist Image and Ian Schafer of Deep Focus) and then we break up into 2 different rooms.   Day #1: Choose between Social Gaming or Going Mobile. Day #2: Focus on Optimizing your Social Media strategy or New Ways of Monetizing Social Media. OR-  mix and match- go hear the panels that you think are most going to give your business a boost. I’ll be in the Grand Room for the Mobilize and Optimize tracks.   I’m particularly psyched for the Social Video session on Friday- we’ll discuss how businesses should put video to work, with Online Video-Analyst and Videologist Grant Crowell of ReelSEO.

We’re expecting several hundred people with about 8 exhibitors, an on-site bookstore, a cocktail reception, and the surprisingly good coffee from The New Yorker hotel.  Come on down!   And before you do, download the conventionist app to get the schedule, map, social, and other cool features.

Posted in conferences, media, media tips, mediabistro, social media, video ideas
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Wrestling Big Brains on Digital Privacy

Posted on | Leave a comment

Last week, with CSpan cameras rolling away, I kicked off Mediabistro’s Digital Privacy Forum by asking audience members (mostly marketers and brand managers) if they worried that more internet regulation will spell trouble for their business.  Almost everyone raised their hand.  And yet the main message of several of the speakers was that regulation is the only way forward for American growth.  Take Marc Rotenberg of the Electronic Privacy Information Center in DC.  This man talks, Congress listens.  And the guy makes a gripping, if terrifying speech-  he told us about a congressman who referred to 2010 technology as Web 2.0 at government hearings.  Later Marc mentioned to me that the US government understanding of the digital world is really lagging by about 20 years.  They could use some field trips to the Mac store down there.

On a more personal note, I loved the philosophical bust-up between anti-put-your-life-on-the web thinker Andrew Keen vs. I’m-all-out-there-even-about-my-prostate Professor Jeff Jarvis.  The best conferences are when speakers are yelling at each other across the room.  So  I wrestled their large brains to the ground and we found common ground on whether or not the more we share digitally, the better we are.  Just kidding- no detente was reached.  Watch the conversation continue in person at Mediabistro’s mega conference on social media on March 31-April 1.

Posted in conferences, media, mediabistro, social media, Uncategorized
Tagged , , , , , , , ,

EBook Summit around the corner

Posted on | Leave a comment

I’m MC’ing mediabistro.com’s 2nd EBook Summit on Wednesday.  We got awesome feedback last year but this year the event has exploded.  Inside scoop: publishing houses have been calling and wondering if there is room for them on the agenda.  Sorry! The schedule is packed with goodies…NYU author and thinker Doug Rushkoff opens it up, The New Yorker’s Ken Auletta closes it out. If you are a writer, publisher, editor, or anyone creating content in the digital age, come on over to The New Yorker hotel on Wednesday.  As a video person, I’m also particularly interested to hear from Jacqueline Bosnjak and Mark Beukes, founders of Ideologue, the award-winning digital studio…check out their website, they do some crazy stuff.  Oh, and free drinks on mediabistro are on the agenda too.

Posted in Books, conferences, media, mediabistro, social media, video ideas
Tagged , , , , ,