ENDAVO BLOG

Savvy Content Providers Generating New Cash with Over-the-Top Offerings

By Jason Anderson

My recent trips to industry trade shows and events have revealed a trend. Looks like most content distributors and broadcasters are still reluctant to start syndicating their content beyond the TV. In entertainment biz lingo, producers are afraid they’re stepping over broadcast dollars to grab digital dimes. However, a few content providers aren’t just dipping their toes in the cross-platform waters. These smart folks are diving head-over-heels into a sea of new revenue by pushing content “over the top” to paying viewers on any screen. The Weather Channel and Dori Media are two examples that come to mind.

This week, The Weather Channel settled its long-running dispute with Dish Network over carriage fees and revealed plans to deliver a bevy of new offerings for subscribers online and though mobile devices.  Dish Network Programming VP Dave Shull stated, “This agreement recognizes the importance of cross-platform video delivery, ensuring that our subscribers will have the most detailed local weather information available at their fingertips anytime, anywhere.”

On the distributor front, Dori Media is well on its way to bringing in digital cash to supplement its broadcast success.  On the heels of digital telenovela Amanda O, Dori will soon launch a subscription-based video on demand platform aimed at U.S. Hispanic audiences and viewers throughout Latin America. By branching out and distributing their content to more screens, Dori is able to generate new revenue and build distributor brand identity. Ah, the joys of multi-screen syndication!

I understand how difficult it can be to step out of a comfort zone, but TV-only syndication is quickly becoming a thing of the past. And, as more viewers start turning off their TVs and turning on their mobile devices and PCs, they expect the content to follow. It’s time to embrace change and offer cross-platform, over-the-top syndication directly to viewers, on all screens.

Content Shopping – Making the Digital Leap

By Jason Anderson

With MIPTV in Cannes (and a cloud of Icelandic volcanic ash) behind me, I’ve become fully aware of the need for savvy distributors and broadcasters to do more with their content sales and delivery strategy. 

The fact is -- online video viewing continues to rise. Google alone saw 13 billion video views in March, according to comScore, but it’s up to the content producers, broadcasters and distributors to make the most of this growing popularity.

While many distributors and networks offer easy online access to their shows, most are still mailing content screeners on DVD . That method makes it difficult to obtain the most basic feedback from the potential audience. Did the recipients watch the content? How many times? How long did they watch?

There is a much better way.

Consider the cost-savings and strategic value of managing and tracking all of your digital media, including trailers and full episodes through a single media management system.  No reason to overnight 30 DVDs to a prospects, or to waste any more time uploading trailers for not-so-easy access via FTP and otherwise. 

Just upload your content once into a secure library. Next, let buyers watch content online or download it for later viewing. Then, track what they view or download, how long they watch it and much more. 

Not only will you save money, but you will gather real-time data to help increase sales and fine-tune production budgets.

Consumers are clamoring for a seamless, cross-platform viewing experience, and content buyers are increasingly demanding access to your programming anywhere and on any screen.  Be sure to meet buyers’ needs in a way that fuels immediate sales and provides invaluable data for the future. It’s your content. Why not simultaneously maximize the return on your investment and minimize the effort required, by using a media management system?

Day 1: Exhibiting at the 2010 NAB Show

Wow. What a difference a year makes. Last year, we spent some time educating those who stopped by our booth, but this year’s 2010 National Association of Broadcasters Show is all business. Content producers, aggregators, and broadcasters talking with us have certainly embraced OTT video and are now in “solution” mode. “How does your platform support my business model? How scalable is your service? How can I leverage your global telco tv partners?” Clearly, they have done their homework and we are excited about the opportunity to help them take their business to the next level by offering enhanced video services to their customers.

And to further help promote our OTT video services capabilities, we’ve taken our website to the next level. So if you don’t get a chance to stop by our Broadband Innovations Booth SU9506U, (check out the photo below), you can always catch up on the latest from Endavo at our newly renovated site: http://endavomedia.com/. And stay tuned for more; we have a feeling this is going to be an exciting show for the industry.

The New World Order of Live Events

By Jason Anderson

From a sea of flickering flames swaying to Dylan’s “Blowin’ In the Wind” to thousands of iPhone lighter apps bouncing to the tunes of Lady Gaga, there’s no doubt that live concerts (and live events, in general) have changed dramatically. But you haven’t seen anything yet.

Live streaming events are a booming industry—with concerts and music fests leading the way. Just look at the Foo Fighters, who drew in 440,000 live streams to a Web-only show. Or take the live stream of a U2 concert last fall watched by nearly seven million people.

Soon fans will be able to watch concerts anywhere, anytime and on multiple devices. And for content producers, broadcasters and telcos, opportunity (and audience) awaits. Live events can generate revenue and offer greater audience interaction and user flexibility. Consider the following:

The TV, Internet and Mobile Collide. Concerts are no longer limited to stadiums, arenas and auditoriums. Performers are now reaching larger audiences through live streaming and on-demand video (via TVs, PCs, and smart phones).

Local to Global. Local concerts now service their nearby market and go global through live streaming—creating new opportunities for monetization. Take Endavo-powered TheCoolTV, which broadcasts live localized events and offers a vast library of classic concerts on demand. Through a partnership with Sinclair Television Group, TheCoolTV is expanding to 34 new markets to reach 23 million new homes. Those markets will be able to view killer content on TV with folks around the world tuning in online. The plus side: more audience almost always means more ad dollars.;

Social Media Integration. Live streaming events also open the door to big-time audience engagement. Case in point: at this year’s Grammy Awards more than 135,000 Grammy-related tweets were generated--that night! Live streaming events combined with social media greatly boosts brand awareness leading to higher revenues.

While times are a changin’, content producers haven’t yet missed the global audience train. Give us a call to learn more about how hosting live streaming events can build your brand online and beyond.

You Gotta See This…Oh, Wait. It’s Buffering.

By Pete Contardo

Sure. We all love watching video clips of skateboarding dogs and talking babies on YouTube. But buffer once, even for short videos, and we’re out. A recent study by Tubemogul found that 81 percent of all online video viewers —- that’s four out of five of us -— click away if a video rebuffers just once. Now, imagine trying to watch a full-length movie on YouTube.

The quality of service issue when it comes to delivering video content, especially those looking to monetize their video content, is critical. It’s tough to charge a premium, be it ads or subscriptions, when your platform can’t deliver the quality experience that your audience expects. So, good luck to YouTube in their latest plan to offer movies on their site. But don’t take it from me. Just ask SNL’s Weekend Update New Media Correspondent Bobby Moynihan what he thinks about this latest move from YouTube. Oh, wait. He’s buffering…

Takeaways From Streaming Media West & Online Video Platform Summit ’09: Part 1

By Brent Grablachoff

Many here at Endavo Media recently attended Streaming Media West and Online Video Platform Summit ’09, a three-day conference rich with live demonstrations, expert speakers and business-building opportunities for professional video content producers, video technology companies and online video platform providers. I spoke with countless industry experts, providers, producers, and attendees, all of which helped confirm problems the online video industry is experiencing, and the need for solutions for future digital media delivery systems.

Because there is so much conference information to share, I’m providing the first of a two-part blog post in hopes to educate and inform you of the latest happenings in our digital world. Today I’m writing on 3-Screen Delivery and Mobile Video Delivery. Next week I’ll conclude with Paid/Premium Content, Detailed Video Analytics and Live Streaming.

3-Screen Delivery (PC/Mobile/IPTV)

Mobile delivery was the most widely discussed topic with 3-Screen Delivery not far behind. Three-Screen Delivery is simply another way to describe the ability to publish digital media to the computer, mobile phone and TV. While interest in IPTV was somewhat tempered, many telecommunications companies with whom I spoke was touting set-top box and its importance in the future of online video delivery.

Most experts believe telecommunications providers, cable companies, and global broadcasting companies will be offering “TV Everywhere” by 2013.

Mobile Video Delivery

Being a sports nut and former college football player, there have been countless sporting events I missed because I was away from a TV or Computer, or my cable company wasn’t airing that particular game. Rejoice! I no longer have to worry about that.

Today we can simply enter the mobile URL of your favorite sports video Web site and catch the game live or on-demand from a mobile phone. No doubt mobile video delivery has arrived and is capturing tons of viewership!

While most conference exhibitors seemed focused on standard video delivery to Web sites, we saw heavy interest in vendors promoting mobile video delivery. Content producers were seeking an easy and effective solution to distribute content to mobile phones. Also, there was considerable talk about piracy and illegal downloads of content—that’s always a concern of video content producers. But rest assured, there are measures for distributing content safely without limiting its global reach.

Based on feedback and interactions at the Endavo Media booth, and discussions with others at the conference, I believe mobile video delivery will be the HOT TOPIC in the online video world for at least the next six months. 

Lessons from Space and Xbox 360’s Sky Player

By Jason Anderson 

“Houston, we have a problem.”

Those famous words by astronaut Jim Lovell on the ill-fated Apollo 11 mission should never be spoken of your online, mobile or IPTV content distribution. Whether you’re a niche content producer or a major media company, proper planning will reduce hiccups and help you launch and manage your online efforts.

The folks at Xbox 360 in Europe are learning about proper pre-planning the hard way, perhaps with Jim Lovell’s voice ringing in their ears.

Xbox 360 recently launched Sky Player, which as this article relates, allows Sky TV subscribers to access live and on demand content. Sky Player is also available to non-Sky TV customers for £15/month.

Demand has been so high that Xbox 360 has been forced to suspend the service while they upgrade their network capacity. In fact, they’re now implementing a phased rollout to protect against future outages.

As you launch your online, mobile or IPTV offerings or as you ramp up to a bigger and better audience, be sure to plan for success by choosing a platform that can handle major traffic and includes “roll up your sleeves” support to quickly tackle issues on the road to generating revenue and distributing your content. Frankly, relying heavily on so-called ‘free services’ such as YouTube and Blip.tv may appear to save you money in the near-term, but your long-term goals can suffer due to slow performance at peak traffic times, lack of real-time technical support and more.

Thankfully, Lovell and friends made it back to earth unscathed. And though the jury’s still out on whether Sky Player will overcome their initial stumbles, both tales illustrate the need for better upfront planning. Be sure to learn from their missteps and lay a firm foundation to accomplish your online, mobile or IPTV goals.

Endavo Speaks at PDMA Brand Marketing Conference

By Shaun Pope

With a little help from my friend Kelvin G., I spoke at the Product Development & Management Association (PDMA) Brand Marketing Conference. Hot off the set of "Zombie Truckers 3," Kelvin G. took time to share his insights with the group -- including a nod to pitchman Tony Little and his hit product the Gazelle.

Check out his clip:

What Kelvin G. understands, that a lot of product managers and brand marketing types don't, is that social media marketing is all about content. That's right. Social media = participation. Participation = content. Content, specifically relevant and engaging content, has become the currency of social media. The more of it you produce, deliver and promote, the more influence you can create for your brand.

One of the points I made during my presentation was the disconnect that many businesses seem to have when it comes to video. I mean, almost everyone has a video camera at home, posts movies online for their family to share, and in some cases does some basic editing to clean up the finished product. But that same person never thinks to bring their camera on a client visit to get a video testimonial, or to the trade show booth or to the product manager's office to get product tips and tricks to share with clients. Content is everywhere, you just need to capture it before it's gone.

And before you ask -- Yes, I did shoot video from the event.

You can see it here:

Honestly, your business, products and colleagues are creating content opportunities everyday. This is content that your clients and prospects want to see, as evidenced by an April 2009 Nielsen report. Best of all, they don't  care too much about professional-grade production value or special effects... they just want to engage with your brand. So, create a content plan with that in mind.

We've all heard about Consumer- or User-Generated Content (UGC). But, I believe the next big wave in online video will be Business-Generated Content (BGC). Companies that start hiring content strategy experts, and investing in basic in-house video production capabilities will be poised for success. They will be able to deliver more engaging content and communicate faster than their competitors. Sadly, those waiting to "figure it out," or dismiss online video as a fad, will be left behind. Video content will be a key component for any successful multichannel marketing campaign.

Some examples of companies doing it right include:

• MarketLeverage Video Channel: Uses video to communicate with members of its referral marketing network, promotes premium merchants to special promotions to affiliates.

• TurfNet: Creates original video content and regularly delivers it online to increase membership engagement and promote key association sponsors.

• Numara Software: Uses video to educate clients and prospects on product features and benefits. Extensive collection of client testimonials that bring instant credibility to their brand.

The writing is on the wall. If you're a brand manager or product marketing director that doesn't understand the importance of online video, do something before it's too late. Take my word for it -- now is the time to build a video strategy that's inline with your overall branding goals. Think of new, creative and cost-effective ways to gather and distribute video content. Become a video "rock star". Your customers will love you for it, and your CEO and CFO will come around soon enough.

You can follow me on Twitter @ShaunPope, or connect with me on LinkedIn.

Mom was right. It’s nice to share.

By Pete Contardo

Whether it’s some sick zombie clip, a cute puppy video, or another one of those fake viral commercials, today’s online video scene is full of content for all types of people. But where’s the fun in finding a cool video and then not being able to share it with anyone?

Research shows that 1/3 of all online videos are shared, according to a study by Yahoo! and other large media companies. So, it still baffles me when I come across a great video on a site that doesn’t support sharing or other social networking features. Now, more than ever, viewers don't want to keep their favorite content a secret. They just can’t wait to share it, post it or mash it!

Best of all, great things can happen when a viewer shares your video. They become an ambassador for you, strengthening not only their relationship with your brand, but also engaging others to do the same. You can effectively reach more of your target audience, in a more direct and personal way. And any of their “friends” who receive an invite to view your video are more likely to accept the message because it came from someone they trust, and in turn they learn to trust you. Similarly, if someone embeds your video on their site or social network page, it can have the same effect by exposing your content to their friends.

These days, customers have come to expect sharing features with their media content, especially when it comes to video. So, make sure your platform has the right features. Before you know it, your viewers will be sharing their favorite videos and you can just sit back and enjoy the benefits. (But sometimes it doesn't hurt to remind your customers to share, just like Kelvin G. does before one of his clips...)

So, be nice and remember what your mother taught you-- and make it easy for everyone to share.

It's time to put some “Service” back in your Platform

By Pete Contardo

You have many choices when it comes to trying to find an online video (SaaS or PaaS) solution that’s right for your content and business strategy. From a pure technology standpoint, adding a video to your website is easier than ever before. In fact-- it’s so easy a marketing person can do it! (Hey, I can get away with saying this because I am that marketing person.)

But a successful online video strategy requires more than just embedding video on your website. So why are so many platform vendors moving towards a “self-serve” model? Do they really think that all that’s needed is to fill out an order form, enter a credit card, and your Internet TV platform is fully operational and optimized to your business and marketing goals? You don’t even have to speak to a person. Seriously?

And what happens when you want to explore a new distribution channel or advertising opportunity, add a new feature, or just need some expert online video advice? Will you be satisfied with an auto-reply email form? Some may only want to work with the more “popular” vendors in the market. But is bigger really better when it comes to Internet TV platforms? Do you prefer working with an 800-pound gorilla or a real human being?

At Endavo Media, we take a different approach. I like to say that we built our business on a “Service-as-a-Platform” philosophy. Sure, we offer our own version of a hosted online video platform that enables you to manage, deliver and monetize your content and branded video services. It actually stands up on its own quite well. But rather than just taking your credit card on some website form, our dedicated business development specialists provide insights into the current online video market and can guide you in launching a web video strategy that satisfies your business needs. In addition, our dedicated Client Support Team is always there for you on the phone, chat, and of course by email as well.

So if you are in the market for an online video solution, you may want to ask the vendors you are evaluating about the level of service that comes along with their software or platform…that is, if you can reach them.