Recently, there was an article that caught my interest in Ad Age “As the Ratings Fall, Networks Take on Ad-Skipping,” regarding the skipping of online adverts (or rather, the lack thereof). The article basically goes on to say that even though TV consumers are used to skipping or at least having the ability to fast-forward adverts, the same shows online don’t offer that privilege.     

As I’ve mentioned on these pages before, I simply don’t understand this behaviour. People’s habits vary on an individualistic basis.  Online ad technology allows adverts to be customised to the user, to the show, to whatever. Just let the user do what they want, allow ads to be skipped. If someone doesn’t like a particular ad, then show a different one. If they don’t like pre-rolls, show a watermark / bug or an overlay / post-roll. Forcing the same thing down every viewers throat just doesn’t seem like it’s cricket.

Also, there seems to be this great angst over how many adverts can be shown online. Rather than guess, let’s show a bunch and see what happens to the viewer interest and engagement. This isn’t that hard folks.

- Jayant Kadambi

So, I was forwarded this Google blog post on the future of online video. First time I’ve ever looked at the Google blog, to be honest. Anyway, not surprisingly, Chad Hurley is quite sanguine about the prospects for online video. Go figure. But seriously, given YouTube’s history over the past 3 years, it’s a pretty safe bet.   

As I’ve mentioned on these pages before, I fancy myself to be a photographer, (mostly wildlife and nature, not portraits), not that you cared. Why do I mention this?  Well, it’s amazing how when I have a video camera or a camera in my hands, people will mug for the camera, do silly things, pose, and then rush to see what it looks like and then ask if they can have a copy so they can send it willy nilly to friends and acquaintances alike. It seems human nature loves video and the social interaction that comes with sharing video. So, yes, we agree with the assessment that video has a good future.

The question on the table in our minds is really which of this video is monetisable in a systematic way that will allow the cost structures for uploading, streaming, delivering and syndicating this video content all over the planet to be supported by a method other than charity from Google’s search business. Will advertisers actually place ads in, around, over and generally associate themselves in order to make this video distribution and content creation business really blossom? Or will there be another business model around it?

Interesting times, for sure.

- Jayant Kadambi

We just added a new publisher – Kuma Games - to our network. Kuma provides rich high quality 3D episodic games delivered to PCs. Five of their most popular brands are: 1) The Dinohunters 2) Dogfights 3) The Killpoint 4) The Kuma War and 5) Shootout. We are excited about our partnership with Kuma because we will now have access to their “ultra-immersed” audience, 98% of which are Men 18–34. Check out Kuma Games… they have pretty addicting games…

- Lynn Cayabyab