Cars, especially family cars, mean a lot to people. And when something like this happens, people turn to the manufacturer and to each other. And when the manufacturer responds with a press release, consumers are forced to discuss the lack of action with each other. When those people are connected to others via social networks, the volume gets turned up on those conversations exponentially. Not responding properly makes a bad problem even worse. In this connected age, consumers have built higher expectations for companies. And informed by the events of the last few years, that especially pertains to the automotive industry.
The clock is ticking, and bad press is brewing (scathing follow-ups aired on tonights Nightline on ABC). Will Toyota answer the alarm?
But many people, like me, can't quit cold turkey because of one thing: sports.
Well, it seems that that wall is starting to come down too.
According to Brian Stelter (New York Times):
The content ambitions do not end there. Microsoft has held in-depth talks with the Walt Disney Company about a programming deal with ESPN, according to people close to the talks, who requested anonymity because the talks were intended to be private. For a per-subscriber fee, ESPN could provide live streams of sporting events, similar to the ones available through ESPN 360, a service that is available from some high-speed Internet providers. Microsoft could also create some interactive games in association with ESPN, the people said. One of the people said the deal was not imminent. The companies declined to comment.Could it be? Are cableco's becoming nothing more than high-speed ISPs? Is that why Comcast bought NBC (to own content)? Stay tuned. We're on the cusp of some pretty heavy media evolution.
Thanks to Silicon Alley Insider for pointing me to the NYT story.
Nick Bilton over at the NYT Bits Blog speculates on what it might mean for Conan to go to the Internet instead of taking a deal at another broadcast network.
There is no way that is going to happen. As Michael Learmonth of Ad Age just tweeted, "Right, and trade $12m a year for $2k an episode". But is it an either or scenario?
But the fact is that Conan is in the driver's seat. What if he used his next TV deal as an opportunity to change the web video landscape? What if there was a clause to his next contract that funded a significant amount of original online content that he could use his TV show to promote? Imagine all the Paleforce episodes that could be created. All the Triumph amd Pimpbot 2000 skits you could imagine (if NBC lets him retain that IP).
By giving the network the contractual obligation to fund online content, they would not only be in a position to have to put significant sales resources behind it, but they would also need to innovate to make it worth their while. Big companies don't typically change the way they do things unless they're forced to.
Think about it, Conan. You've got leverage here. Use it wisely and go down in history as the one that broke the silos. You could nearly double the size of your audience (~2mm on TV) on a daily basis with a move like this (and the right distribution), command additional dollars from advertisers, and offer valuable opportunities for your audiences to engage -- not just "view". More viewers, more engagement, more impressions, more premium inventory. I don't see anything wrong with that. Do it, and you can count on me being on Team Coco for life.
The speaker line-up at the event is shaping up nicely featuring:
...and many others.
And just for being a loyal reader of this here blog, AlwaysOn has extended you a 50% discount (as my guest). And I'd love to see you there.
Click here to purchase a discounted ticket.
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