New Media Moves

I really don’t want this blog to become a huge rant about industries that cant see the future even when its beating them in the face, but this is just too much!

Last night I went to an AMASA presentation that promised to highlight the much touted “Death of the 30″ commercial” debate due to PVR.

Now this is the first AMASA presentation i have ever bothered to attend, and i was rubbing my hands in glee with advent of seeing high flying as execs bemoaning the death of their beloved 30″

Anyway, its turns out that the speaker has proven through his research, that “PVR is a positive development for television advertising noting levels. He argues that fast-forwarding on a PVR to avoid advertising, will mean more attention to advertising, compared to a lower viewer involvement that normal television advertising commands” Hes basically saying that people are forced to watch the ads being fast forwarded because they have to see when the show is starting.

The bottom line of his speech was – (in my words) Don’t worry ad people – PVR wont hurt the 30″ ad and everything will be fine! Keep up the good work (someone actually shouted out “long live the 30″ ad” – like this was a political rally – WTF? )

The researcher, Erik Du Plessis (a chap in his late 50’s) also managed to pass over the rise internet and mobile marketing as mediums and dismissed them with the wave if his hand (he doesn’t understand them therefore there’s no possible way in hell any one else will!!- what utter crap)

Im basically dumbfounded. Sure maybe the PVR wont kill the 30″, but a lot of other stuff will and these people don’t even realise it.  When, oh when will this industry wake up?!?!?

Christof Appel recently wrote an interesting post about how companies need to engage with their staff on a different level in order to keep their services. In this cut throat modern world its going to be more and more difficult to keep young, hungry talented staff. The threat of losing ones job isn’t as scary as it used to be – entrepreneurship is on the rise. I’ve always had an issue with companies that use fear and bully tactics to keep their staff. This is not going to work in the long run as people will leave.

Similarly, this report on Netflix focuses on how they treat their staff – bloody well I might add. Another leader in this space is Ricardo Semler at Semco. His revolutionary tactics have been called Industrial Democracy and looks to be a great way for employees and staff to engage. He’s also written 2 brilliant books Maverick and The 7 day weekend in which he has documented his company and how Industrial Democracy works within it.

All in all in this age of “Jumping the Shark” and the Web Worker, its going to be more and more vital for employees to do something different to engage their staff and to treat them like adults and not children.