Pattern Mining Dictates Unique Content?

The first time I'd learned about big data was in 2003.  I'd been busy doing broadcast and print design by day, and web coding at night. Before long I'd built an 'immersive' site from scratch.
I'd found a cheap website host, and started to dig into the world of web analytics. What I learned was how far I could drill down to see who'd looked at my website. I could see how long people had spent on each page, how they arrived at the site, and where they were viewing it from.  Even back then, the analytics were pretty amazing. From that point on, I understood even if I never designed another website again... I absolutely had to continue to inform myself with the latest in tech startups, coding and development.

For as long as the internet has been active for the public's use, so has data mining.
As tech evolved, so did advertising's role in taking a slice of that data. In 1994, a group of media buyers formed a company called Hotwired, producing the very first clickable banner for AT&T.  Since then, Advertisers have been using this data to hyper-target intended audiences. Here it is 2013, and with tablets, TV's, phone's and computers connected to the internet, we are all surely leaving a trail of valuable bread crumbs.

The little icons for dominos, new england patriots gear and walking dead dvd's aren't on my Facebook page by chance. I'm not saying that it's right, but I know its nothing personal- just business. My use of Facebook and just about every other social media outlet is a consent and agreement to their business. Facebook is not free, they own the rights to all the data they've gathered about me.But that's not what I'm writing this post about. That side of the business has found its vertical, and who knows what the ceiling is.

I think advertising's role in monetizing this data is only a portion of the equation. Political campaigns have also zeroed in on this data with huge wins.   With real time information, who's to say content studios and media outlets can't produce rich media targeted for a specific audience? The analytics would point to a pattern of effective content, dictating what works and doesn't. On a basic level, the same thing is used in digital ads now, where scripting automates font and animation. I'm suggesting it goes a step further with assignment editors dictating daily stories, based off of the real time data. It wouldn't just be regular a.p. news though, I believe it would be a lot more involved with engaging visuals. I think creative storytelling, video and info-graphics would all be at a premium, too. The idea is that everything is produced with the effective audience in mind. The same could apply to branded content, and on-demand mobile series/shows.

The Wall Street Journal and New York Times have converted much of their loyal base into digital subscribers, and now other media outlets are beginning to do the same.
I think this presents a new competitive business model for these outlets, and only time
will tell how the content consumer will respond. I believe one thing that will certainly not change is mobile and data's role in the future.





The views and opinions expressed in this blog are my own and do not in any way represent those of the people I collaborate with, or work for. 

Clearwire: Don't know them yet? You will...

During the protests in Egypt, I was curious what kind of gear American networks were using to get signals outside of the country. How were high quality live feeds seamlessly getting pushed on-air and to devices like the IPAD? At one point,  I saw color bars up that read 'CNN Streambox' so I took that as a clue. With Streambox's tiny gear in the field, HD signals can be pushed many different ways to cloud based servers remotely. The servers then distribute the signal to your operations center, and to media devices.

Local broadcast stations are using Streambox's cost effective Wi-Fi feature, in lieu of SD Microwave transmission. From what I've heard, this quality passes but is less than spectacular. Some Networks and Military operations are using VSAT, and digital satellite connections to get feeds out. But the one connection that Streambox offers which I found most interesting is known as Wi-Max. Wi-Max is not even comparable to Wi-Fi.. totally different. Wi-Max is a protocol that provides mobile broadband over great distances, between cities and countries. The latest update to Wi-Max technology supports 1gb/sec transfer rates. That said, Wi-Max could be the replacement to current GSM and CDMA cell towers.
Enter Clearwire Corporation, stage left.

Using Wi-Max technology, Clearwire corporation is the partnership of the biggest names in telecom and media today. The logos above represent the major players in this operation. Right now, if you're on Sprint's 4G network, you're using Clearwire's Wi-Max connection. Sprint owns 54% of the company, and the 4G spectrum for consumers is only a small portion of the speed this massive network can handle.  Clearwire as a company,  has had a relatively soft launch until recently. After rolling out unsuccessful storefronts nationwide, the company is now focusing on direct marketing its service to consumers.  

For $35 bucks a month, the company is offering to replace your current cable or DSL connection with theirs. They'll give you a wireless router, and
guarantee your encrypted security. Throw in another $10 bucks, and they'll give you Nationwide Wi-Max access too. Again, this isn't some fake '4G' connection off a cell tower.
For the money you get a faster connection,
and access for your mobile devices, nationwide.
For these reasons, I personally believe this really is a company to watch.

Content vs. Provider?

Let's say on the next trip to your favorite grocery chain, the store tells you what you'll be allowed to buy. How would you contest that? You've relied on them to stock your cabinet and freezer for years. Now let's say that its your internet and cable company telling you the same thing.

Between 4G, WiFi and your Cable box, the possibilities for entertainament are endless. Let's be honest, are you really going to watch 1100 channels on your TV?  You're paying for them but a look at your DVR and Internet Explorer favorites paints a different picture.

Props: Slashgear

The industry has been adapting to 'a la carte' on-demand for years, and gear like Apple TV and Google TV bring the best of the internet to your living room. On a recent trip to rural Kentucky, I was blown away to see another great device in full effect. Practically in the middle of a cornfield, with access to all my prime time shows, newest movies, social media accounts, sports and so much more in HD! Its called ROKU, and for $60 bucks, it packs an awesome punch right out of the box. The guy that invented this thing, actually invented the DVR. Somewhere Filo Farnsworth and Cliff Gardner are raising a glass to this guy. Bottom line, I think these devices represent the direction of ultimate content delivery. Who needs a cable provider? Not so fast.

With easy access to so much content, the only thing you've really got to worry about is getting a connection to the internet , right? This brings me back to the grocery store analogy. The FCC's legislation on 'Net Neutrality' would control how your Internet and Cable provider can manage what you do with these devices. This is especially significant to outlets like Comcast, who are just about ready to seal the deal on their 51% of NBC Universal. Through websites and Apps, many of the network and cable channels keep you entertained on your laptop, phone, gaming console and tablet. Most are free, some like Netflix you pay a small fee for unlimited videos. With net neutrality, it will be illegal for providers like Comcast to control bandwith and block the sites of their competitors. They will however, be able to block competitor's Apps, which could be a huge problem. Sound odd? Verizon thinks so too.. and they're the ones that helped draft this bill to begin with! Today, they filed suit against the FCC; more details below.  Ultimately, I believe that consumer demand for content creators and App developers will trump the service providers.

1/21/10 Verizon sues FCC over net neutrality

Independence Day

John Adams & Thomas Jefferson, the only signers of the Declaration of Independence to later serve as President of the United States.. both died on the same day.. July 4th!
Happy 4th!

More with Less

Really excited to see the new shoots coming out of Import/Export in Zanesville, OH.
Their original works are stunning, and borderline magical. With an inexpensive camera and lens package they're blowing up iconic memories that grow on you. This isn't 35, or Red, or some 250lb beast with a $20,000 kit on it either. Naturally, it's the Cannon 5D Mark II. Import/Export is proving you can do so much story telling, simply.. with so much less. Really wish the best for Doug Joseph and everyone down at Import/Export. I expect to see their work on NatGeo very soon :) http://www.weareimportexport.com/.

four letter word preview. from import/export on Vimeo.