Big Ideas

The new media success story: Wallstrip

Last week, Wallstrip was officially acquired by CBS. Fred Wilson (A VC) and Scott Karp (Publishing 2.0) both give interesting takes on it that have more to say about it than I do, so take a look:

A VC's take

Publishing 2.0's take

 

I will make a quick comment:  it strikes me that many of the acquisitions out there in techland are really about acquiring talent and leadership for areas of interest. Giant acquisitions aside, I'm seeing a lot of companies look around, identify teams who have managed to get something new right and then buy them.  It's easier to buy self-organized  organic teams than to force existing people into unwanted roles with largely fabricated teams. That actually feels like the right model to me. While I'm not entirely sure that the prices are appropriate, it makes sense that it's better to bet on teams that have proven themselves. Now, the question is, how capable of doing this internally are these companies? Are the co's that are less acquisitive complacent or just more successful internally? How often are companies identifying new opportunities, building for them and actually succeeding?

 

 

Technorati tags: acq-hire, Wallstrip, m&a, product development

Herb Kohl (D-WI) is either dumb or in the pockets of the NAB

I don't often talk about politics on my blog. I'm not sure why - I was a Politics, Philosophy and Econ (say that three times fast) major who used to spend a lot of time thinking about taking the traditional path to a career in politics (law school, work for a firm, start local, go national etc). I even spent time at C-SPAN and still consider myself relatively well-versed in political issues. But, I don't address it often here.. Maybe that'll change with Election '08.

In any case, I've been watching the pending purchase of XM by Sirius Satellite with a bit of my attention, hoping that it wouldn't get killed by stupid regulators (it's in review by the FCC and Justice Department).

I came across this news about Herb Kohl's objection to the merger and just had to rant about it for a few moments. Now, I consider myself a Democrat and furthermore, I was born in Wisconsin and still feel affinity with the folks back there (you go Feingold!). But damn it, Kohl is way way way off the reservation here.

The central premise of his argument is this: satellite radio is its own separate market and, "No other technology available today is a substitute for the satellite radio."

Just contemplate that for a moment - does that make ANY sense? This REEKS of special interests being involved. The lobbying organizations of traditional radio are doing what they do best; working to further the interests of their members. We shouldn't expect anything less - for better or worse, our system of governance is based upon representation and advocacy. The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has long been involved in pushing its agenda through the political system. I came across a few posts/articles that do a pretty good job of summarizing some of their activities (clearly anti-NAB though) and have placed those at the bottom of this post.

*deep breath*

Let's examine Kohl's arguments for a moment though, assuming that the NAB's involvement or lack thereof is inconsequential. No substitute for satellite radio? Really?? So a service that requires a monthly subscription fee, a purchase of a specific device and that offers audio content has NO substitute? Hmm let me rattle off a few for Mr. Backwards:

• AM Radio (free, requires a radio)
• FM Radio (free, requires a radio)
• Podcasts on the Internet (many are free, requires Internet connection and speakers)
• Streaming music over the Internet (several free ones, requires Internet connection and speakers)
• Radio through cable providers (includes subscription to cable and a tv, at least)

Am I missing something here? How are these not substitutes? As I stop and contemplate this, the only thing that Herbie the Gov-Bug could really be arguing here is that the American consumer can't freely access the specific content available on satellite radio in any other audio distribution channel. But, last I checked, that's how most of the media world works: by securing the rights to specific content, driving demand for it and if possible, owning the distribution of it too. Seems to me like Mr. Kohl should wake up, check out the 20th century and then, if possible, come join us in the 21st at some point.

So, is Herb Kohl out there lying his face off for the NAB and other interested parties? Because if he's not, well, that leaves one other option.

Coincidentally enough, I just got the weekly column from David Pogue in my inbox today, talking about Maplight and OpenSecrets; two very cool sites that share fundraising information on candidates. It turns out that not only has Kohl not raised much money from corporate interests, he's actually independently wealthy. He even owns the Milwaukee Bucks (ouch).

So, there you have it, he's just a moron.

As an American citizen, I don't like either outcome :(

 

A few links on the NAB:

NAB's history of stifling competition

NAB: a history of hypocrisy

Reason Magazine: Dinosaurs vs. Satellites

 

 

Technorati tags: Herb Kohl, Sirius and XM merger, Corporate Lobbying and Federal Government

Using stories to communicate more memorably and persuasively

I'm really enjoying Valeria Maltoni's blog. Since coming across it, I've found it to be entertaining, enlightening and well written. Color me impressed.

Her latest piece, a discussion with Gerry Lantz about brands, is a two-parter that discusses something I'm pretty interested in: stories.

I'm a story guy. I like to tell stories, I like to hear them and I as readers of this blog know, I love to read them. When it comes to communicating with others, I find that stories tend to work very effectively. Done well, they tend to be easy to remember and can be very persuasive. I continue to work at being better at telling stories and weaving stories into my personal and professional life. I really like the discussion that Valeria and Gerry have about brand stories, I think you will too. In particular, when Gerry says,

"Now over time, if the brand positioning is delivered to consumers by their experience with the product, then a relationship starts to build based on trusting the product or service to perform as promised. The brand actually begins to play a role in consumers’ lives. An amazing thing happens with brands over time, the product values transform into brand values—what is delivered goes from being pure features and benefits to emotional satisfaction. Real alliances, friendships get built. It’s MY brand consumers begin to feel."

I find myself nodding my head in agreement. The product values transform into brand values.

As much as folks want to use advertising to convey their message, they need to realize that the product is communicating as well. No matter how much you spend, you can't overcome a crappy product over the long run, that's  just the truth.

 

I'd like to circle back later on what stories brands are telling with their products, but let me leave you with a few questions to get you thinking:

• What story does Yahoo! tell you?
• How about Google?
• What story do you find yourself thinking of with respect to Starbucks?
• How about McDonald's?
• What's your favorite brand story?

And here's one last one, touching upon my personal hot-button: Of those brands who have developed a story in your head, which ones do you choose to share? Whose story do you retell?

 

Technorati tags: conversation marketing, brands, brand stories, influence marketing, economy of influence

O...M....G...

Go here: http://www.funnyordie.com/v1/view_video.php?viewkey=3efbc24c7d2583be6925 to check out the source and read the comments. The comments totally cracked me up.

 

Technorati tags: Will Ferrell, Funny or Die, Pearl the baby landlord

Don't lie, just be yourself..

Bet you didn't think that headline would be for a quick little blurb did you :)?

Well it is - found this via John Battelle's blog (even as buried as I am, I still make time to check it out):

Working at Meetup is fun

You don't have to be afraid of what others have to offer. Be proud of what you have. If you're fun, funny, passionate about something, share it with everyone else. Trust that there are others out there like you too. Nice work Scott

 

 

 

Technorati tags: Meetup, Google, Being Yourself, Recruiting, Authenticity

Hell yeah I did it :)

So, be honest now, some of you thought I wasn't going to end up jumping out of a plane, right?

 

Well, I did, and not only that, I thought it was a blast. Hell, I might even have to do it again (look at the huge grins on our faces after landing).

 

Some fun pictures (we even did flips on the way out of the plane!):

 

I'm going to figure out if I can rip and upload the video, which is even more amazing. I've got to say, this skydiving company, Skydive Kapowsin, does a pretty incredible job.

 

Technorati tags: Skydiving, "Skydive Kapowsin"

A birthday shout out to old #53

There are a few things you can count on in life.

Change, neverending, unrelentless change. Embrace it. 

Scarcity, especially when it comes to time. You never get now back.

Fear. Whenever you see things that don't make sense, ask if fear's involved. It's uncanny how often it plays a role.

 

I've found that when you combine the above three phenomenons, the resulting conclusion is that people won't fall in the category of things you can count on. That doesn't sadden me, however. We all let others down from time to time. I look for those people who you can count on more often than not. People who put substantial effort into being the types of individuals who are reliable and trustworthy. Those exceptional folks who you really can count on to try.

When I first met my buddy Jim back in the winter of 1993, I'd just turned 16, was struggling to determine where I fit in the world and had no idea that he'd be one of those people that you can count on.

When I met him, I saw just another football player who was taller, more outgoing and drove a nicer car than I did. But as we worked together at Olson's grocery store (it had a "Natural Foods" section before the Whole Foods/organic movement was anywhere to be seen), we became good friends. During the next 2 years we spent countless hours watching movies (we were the only 2 guys we knew willing to see "Friday" in the theater after shootings its opening weekend), egging cars (don't ask), playing video games and oh yeah, bagging groceries.

As first he, and then I, headed off to college, we fell out of touch. Whenever summer came around though, it was like the only things that had changed were our tolerances, my height and his hairline (it's true!). Despite the massive changes we were both undergoing as people, we always had the core of a good friendship: we asked hard questions, we pushed each other to be better and we always always joked and gave each other shit.

It turns out, of course, that you should never never talk shit to a former linebacker when you're learning how to lift weights :-)

I don't know when it occurred in our friendship that I began to trust Jim's intuition when it came to pushing me. Maybe it was when I survived enough of our antics w/out a scratch on my record or maybe it was when we lifted together, but at some point I learned that when he pushed me, I was smart to just grit my teeth and try harder. I push myself incredibly hard as a habit, because I believe it's important, but sometimes you need to listen to other folks who recognize opportunities to push yourself that you don't see yourself.

That's why when Jim said to me a few months ago, "So, I'm thinking of going skydiving for my 30th, would you want to join?" I didn't hesitate.

Despite being terrified of heights (the boys from DB can attest to this - remember the ropes course??) I'd been thinking about skydiving as one of those "face your fear" type of challenges for a while. I hadn't taken any action, but Jim's suggestion is just what I needed. Of course, as I write this my palms sweat a bit and I get that nervous/scared feeling in the pit of my stomach, but in a few hours I'm flying up to Seattle and within 24, I'll be jumping out of a perfectly good plane.

So, thanks Jimbo, for pushing me.. in life and perhaps, if I get weak-willed, from planes :)

Happy 30th old man!

 

 

Technorati tags: personal development, facing fears, skydiving