Entering a whole new era.

As I was about to enjoy another wonderious (combo wonderful/hilarious) episode of 30 Rock on Hulu, I was presented with an option I'm not used to seeing (as depicted above). The value of in-show advertising online is steadily increasing; mostly because the number of people who choose to watch their favorite shows online is increasing.

Commercials tend to appear in the same place online as they do during the regular television broadcast, but they are generally only :15 or :30 spots. The only gripe I have with the current system is that I usually have to watch the same commercial four, five, or even six different times. Even for someone who's interested in advertising, that can grow monotonous.

The first reason why this new system is interesting, is that I now have the option to view a longer message (or trailer in this case) from the sponsor, without having to watch the same commercial over-and-over again during my program. This is a definite plus in my book.

But perhaps the most interesting facet of this new system is that advertisers are giving the power of selecting the message to the consumer. It's like going to the dentist when you were a kid and they let you pick the color toothbrush. Now they just hand you one and I'm left thinking, "I don't want the green toothbrush Mandy, I want the blue one." I guess I'm just trying to say, as a consumer, I like choices and recent studies on my generation (Gen Y) indicate they feel the same way.

Emily Riley of Forrester Research suggested, in this 3 Minute Ad Age, of "the creation of a web portal that would enable Gen Y'ers to post their wants in an organized manner." Basically, this system within Hulu is another step in allowing the consumer to choose the message they wish to receive. I am excited to see where this system takes us in the future, because the more precise we can be with delivering our message, the more money we can ultimately save.

Bonnie "Prince" Billy - "I Am Goodbye"

My Morning Jacket - "Touch Me I’m Going to Scream" (Black Cab Session)

Facebook Strikes Back!

In a reaction to the rising popularity of Twitter, Facebook is about ready to unveil its new homepage and profile page. Some of the changes include real-time updates on your homepage and removing the 5,000 friend limit (I'm only at a 1,000 ... so this doesn't quite apply to me ... and do I even know 1,000 people?). Read more about the reasoning behind the changes here or see for yourself here.

It is absolutely amazing observe the nascent online culture. Just three years ago, you were a nobody if you didn't have a Facebook account; a virtual social castaway. Three years of Facebook later (mostly riddled with complaints about the layout changes and a slew of ex-piano teachers adding you as a friend), social media junkies are jumping on the Twitter bandwagon. Twitter user aren't exactly abandoning Facebook, but they are sure spending less time on Facebook as they enjoy the new Tweet buzz.

As someone who has grown with the Internet, I remember logging on with a dial-up tone onto my Netscape navigator to check out the latest news on Yahooligans. I'll admit, my first experience with the Internet was confusing. I didn't quite get it, but I quickly moved from a confused fourth grader, to a sixth grade who was printing of Penny Hardaway's mom's meatloaf from NBA.com.

(side note: I just heard KSFY mention their Twitter account).

That last side note astonishes me, because only 6 months ago, I couldn't mention the word Twitter without getting a stream of juvenile giggles. Which makes me wonder if grandma just rechecked her hearing aid while watching the evening news.

I remember the first time I heard the words, Yahoo, Google and now Twitter and every time I just chuckled and said "come again?" Well, I will no longer sit idly by while people my age are making heaps of money on crazy ideas and goofy names. I don't exactly have a plan for the next social networking phenomenon, but I do have a name. Originally I wanted to go with ShamWow, but apparently that's taken. Instead I have settled on (let it be noted: I searched about 20 words that I thought were non-existent until I settle on this) Phlergen (patent pending). No reason behind that one. I just think it's fun to say.

Just remember, some day "If You're Not Phlerging, You're Not Trying."

Fleet Foxes - "Sun Giant" (Take-Away Show)

Fleet Foxes - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Röyksopp - "Happy Up Here"

Happy Up Here from Röyksopp on Vimeo.
Röyksopp is an electronic and chillout music duo based in Bergen, Norway.

Coming soon...

I have been reading the book "The Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell and thus far it has been absolutely fascinating. To sum it up, it is evaluating how some of the most successful people in the world got to where they are. I will start discussing it as soon as I am done.