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140 Characters Isn’t PR, It’s a Job Opportunity for Real Writers

Sponsored content sounds so much nicer than advetorial or paid editorial. But as marketing folks work to find better, more effective ways to reach you, convince you to buy professionally written sponsored content coming into its own. Of course that's hard for some publicists to do when they limit themselves to 140 characters or releases about innovative, leading edge solutions from the world/industry leader in whatever. That's ok there are plenty of good editorial writers and journalists out there who can write a solid educational, informational job. You know something that isn't filled with hype, pablum that very few read, even fewer believe. If publicists don't know how to/don't want to work at writing there are super journalists ready to take on the task. Good, balanced writing is good, balanced writing.

Squeezing Profit from Every Video Frame

People seem to be watching so much video/entertainment content today we wonder who is working. Movies on the big screen, medium screen, small screen are playing everywhere. Studios, networks, stations, indies are working hard to give consumers what they want in every format possible. And they want to keep that content and show it to you again and again and again to make...money. In 10, 20, 30 years when the stuff resurfaces it will be gee whiz new to the audience. Simply shoving it into the cloud doesn't work because well the cloud is based in huge data centers spread around the country. If it was your content how would you preserve it, monitize it for yourself and for your future generations? The answer is out there.

Customer Service Has to Be Real, Responsive

Companies are getting real good at using social media and the Internet to reach out and touch you, persuade you that they have just the solution, just the value for you. And if you've purchased something from them they want to make certain you don't miss out on their other great products, sometimes even before you receive the first shipment. Got a question, a problem? You get a form response. And if you happen to reach around the formal channels to a specific person in the organization most of the time you either get no response or you're passed off to people who handle that stuff. Being a friend, part of the family isn't really in the cards for you. Having a strong customer relationship isn't part of the deal. Fortunately a few firms get it and those are the ones you go back to again and again because they have real people.

Smartphone Chip Can Only Do So Much, It’s up to Your Carrier

The phone show (CTIA) may have been in Vegas this week but those things are nothing without a really powerful chip and an ingenious network. We've gone so far beyond the 3-minute phone call in the 40 year history of mobile phones. Our kids don't know any better than having a computer in the palm of their hand and tapping into the world around them. The huge tower build-out of the network is very expensive so Qualcomm has some better answers to help us stay in touch.

Don’t Tell Me Who You Are, I’ll Just Check Your Online Data

Cyberthieves rip off $45M in one day from banks around the globe and no one blinks. They did it using folks personal information that had been posted on the web. Governments beat up everyone for tracking, following you saying that's against the law even though: 1) you put all the stuff there and 2) government agencies are busy developing Big Data hordes with your info. All you have to remember is privacy is so overrated and folks will probably read through all your information and yawn. Or they'll find out just how really great you are...that will be so cool!!!!

Your Boss Loves Your BYOD Tablet, Stuff

It was a sign of real rebellion, bringing in and using your iPhone/smartphone. Then it was another swing against the establishment when you brought in your iPad/tablet. Then the boss figured out it was a two-way street and you could also take work home with you, on your vacation, everywhere. So he changed the rules on you and said "Folks we're an open BYOD company, really ahead of the curve." Now you've got all that business stuff on your devices and no room for games. He/she took all the fun outta this whole thing!

Struggling for Ways to Monitize, Find New Opportunities

Most meaningful conventions can't be covered in one shot. NAB is certainly no exception, especially this year when the industry is struggling to get people all the content they demand on all the devices they use and still monitize all their investment, their work. It was drama on the screen, on the stage, on the show floor. People are watching more of the content on all of their screens. Doesn't matter if it's available on the huge HD set in the family room they'll watch it somewhere else in the house or watch a different show on their device while they're watching the big screen. But the goal for industry players is the same regardless of what, when, where you watch it. Making money...that's getting trickier.

It’s 4K All The Way, Drawing Line in The Sand, Storing Stuff

Every time I come away from a big show I have to give myself a reality check and recall it was only a few years ago I waxed on and on about 3D TV and netbooks. Saw where that went right? Right. But NAB this year was freakin awesome. Cameras are getting to the point that any indie can afford them. The industry fatcat days are gone and they ain't coming back so the people who will survive are working harder/smarter. Broadcast folks welcomed the telcos in with forced smiles and there were some who weren't happy with competition at all. But with all the 4K-8K content it is still all about storage and that cute thing called "the cloud." We'll tie up all the loose ends...next week.

Social Media Publicity – Watch, Play Hockey First

Social media is a great way for 1:many conversations/sharing. It's a great marketing/service support tool. It's a great way to get into a verbal brawl. Face it, it's fun to watch the drama unfold as long as it isn't you that's being hammered. You know, "she beats her significant other," "I don't beat my significant other." And now you're wondering if there's some truth and who's right, who's wrong. The discussion gets so heated that the opponents forget the whole world is watching/listening. Need a good example just see what happened at the end of a very successful game developer conference. Maybe that's why most publicists/communications/marketing folks only send messages out and if you ask a question...silence.

The End of an Era, The End of New Devices

The picture for new PC sales doesn't look bright and the estimates are that new tablet sales will also slide. PC sales were down 1st time in years and tablets took a breather Smartphones are still going strong and we're eagerly awaiting the new smartwatches. But maybe the constant quest for a new thing is reaching the end of the line with everything being "in the cloud." Don't explain it to us because everyone (including me) has an idea of what it is...including your friendly government agency. It's OK as long as you don't think about it too much!

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About the Author: Andy Marken

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G. A. "Andy" Marken President Marken Communications, Inc. Santa Clara, CA Andy has worked in front of and behind the TV camera and radio mike. Unlike most PR people he listens to and understands the consumer’s perspective on the actual use of products. He has written more than 100 articles in the business and trade press. During this time he has also addressed industry issues and technologies not as corporate wishlists but how they can be used by normal people. He has been a marketing and communications consultant for more than 30 years involved in the wild early days of the Internet/Web, heyday of the videogame industry and the maturing professional and consumer video industries. His experience includes years with Internet pioneer CERFnet, TCG and AT&T. Andy has worked in the software, Web 2.0, video and storage industry with Panasonic, Philips, Dazzle, Atari, NTI, ADS Tech, Pinnacle Systems, CyberLink, InterVideo, Ulead and Verbatim.
Click here to visit Andy's website.

More from Andy Marken
Losing Our Most Precious Asset
Choosing the Next Great Tech Product Boomor Bust
Keeping Web Sites Busy Safe Profitable
The Elements of Great Public Speaking
Turning Outsiders Into Insiders

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