Effective Multibenefit Marketing

When an exceptional product, service, or solution fails to gain momentum, the challenge often lies in its marketing strategy. This predicament is notably prevalent across industries like food, travel, and financial services, where the competition is fierce and consumer expectations are high. The secret to overcoming this hurdle is rooted in multibenefit marketing – a comprehensive approach that showcases the various advantages your offering brings to the table.

To dissect the issue, it’s crucial to scrutinize the benefits your product or service provides. This analysis isn’t merely about listing features; it’s about understanding how these features translate into functional, symbolic, and experiential benefits for your customers. For instance, in the food industry, a product might not only offer the functional benefit of nutrition but also the symbolic benefit of sustainability and the experiential benefit of unique flavors. Similarly, travel services can highlight the practicality of hassle-free planning, the prestige of exclusive destinations, and the joy of immersive experiences. Financial services can promise the efficiency of transactions, the status of premium offerings, and the peace of mind that comes with expert advice.

If your offering is struggling to make an impact, it’s time to reevaluate your marketing approach. Are you effectively communicating how your product or service meets various customer needs and desires? By emphasizing the multifaceted benefits, you can appeal to a broader audience and enhance your product’s attractiveness. This strategy not only distinguishes your offering from competitors but also addresses the diverse motivations behind customer choices, increasing your likelihood of success.

In essence, if you find your groundbreaking product, service, or solution languishing in obscurity, consider whether your marketing effectively highlights its multiple benefits. This approach could be the catalyst you need to capture the attention and hearts of potential customers, propelling your offering to the success it truly deserves.

So how you got here?

Many will tell you that if you build an amazing product it will sell by itself, but many companies have found that it requires not just an amazing product but then the effort of the Marketing Team to position that product, specifically, tangible, in several categories. During my time as head of Marketing in several industries from Food, Technology and Financial Services, I always used a rule for those programs and assigning spending to it, even before you can think on what media, where , etc.. you have to make sure you define this 3 benefits :

Functional Benefits: Practical advantages like time-saving, cost reduction, or problem-solving. For instance, a car’s good mileage or a software’s user-friendly interface.

Symbolic Benefits: The status or identity the product confers on its owner, making them feel successful, eco-friendly, or part of an exclusive group. Examples are the elegance of an Apple product or Patagonia’s eco-conscious image.

Experiential Benefits: The feelings or sensations experienced during use, such as joy, comfort, or nostalgia. Disneyland’s immersive entertainment and the comforting aroma of cinnamon rolls are prime examples.

EVEN MORE NOW

In today’s competitive market, successful brands understand that effective marketing transcends mere product promotion. It involves a holistic approach that encompasses multiple types of benefits to resonate deeply with consumers.

This strategy is not confined to any single industry but is applicable across various sectors, including Food, Travel, and Financial Services. I have been involved in those three, so my take of how it will look my definition of targeting.

Food Industry: Take, for example, a gourmet restaurant that sources its ingredients locally. The functional benefits here include the freshness and quality of the food. Symbolically, it communicates a commitment to community support and environmental sustainability, enhancing the diner’s perception of contributing to a greater cause. The experiential benefit comes from the unique dining experience, where the story of each dish adds to the overall enjoyment and satisfaction of the meal. This multifaceted approach not only attracts customers looking for a high-quality meal but also those who value environmental sustainability and community support.

Travel Industry: In the travel sector, a luxury tour operator might offer packages to exotic destinations. The functional benefits include comprehensive travel planning, comfortable accommodations, and personalized itineraries. On a symbolic level, it conveys a sense of exclusivity and achievement, appealing to the traveler’s desire for prestige and social status. The experiential benefits are found in the immersive experiences offered, from private tours of hidden gems to exclusive access events, providing travelers with memories that last a lifetime. This blend of benefits appeals to a wide range of travelers, from those seeking convenience and comfort to those desiring unique and enriching experiences.

Financial Services: A wealth management firm provides another excellent example. Functionally, it offers sound financial advice and investment strategies. Symbolically, being a client of a reputed firm can signify financial success and security. The experiential benefit comes from the personalized service and the sense of confidence and peace of mind that comes from knowing one’s financial future is in good hands. This combination of benefits attracts clients not just for the financial expertise but for the prestige and personalized experience as well.

The most effective marketing strategies are those that offer a blend of functional, symbolic, and experiential benefits. By appealing to a broad spectrum of consumer needs and desires, brands can differentiate themselves in a crowded marketplace. Whether it’s the food we eat, the places we travel, or the way we manage our finances, the value of a product or service is greatly enhanced when it’s marketed through a multi-faceted lens. As businesses continue to evolve, so too will the art of marketing, always with the goal of creating deeper connections with consumers.

September 11th. a personal journey

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September 11th, a date that now carries the weight of two decades, floods my thoughts with an overwhelming surge of memories. A decade ago, on this very day, the world was shaken to its core, leaving an indelible mark on my soul.

I recall that crisp Tuesday morning, ten years past, as I embarked on a journey from Boston to Toronto. The early hours saw me boarding a flight at Logan Airport, a time when Air Canada shared the terminal with United Airlines. Amidst the bustle of travelers, adorned in the light attire of summer, destined for destinations like Los Angeles, an eerie sensation gripped me.

Yet, in the depths of my semi-conscious state, I found myself drifting back in time, to a fateful day twenty-seven years prior. It was a day when news echoed of Salvador Allende’s fall in Chile, a democratically elected leader brought down by the merciless hands of a military “coup d’état.” In my youthful fervor, I held onto a fervent belief that Latin America was in need of leaders who could carve their path through the democratic process, champions of justice and architects of a brighter future for all.

In the wake of that seismic event, my youthful heart ached deeply. Like countless others across Latin America, the demise of Salvador Allende etched an indelible scar across my very being. The names and faces of that movement, which had intertwined with my life, resurfaced in my mind as I stood on the precipice of my flight. Enveloped by the whir of engines and the hum of anticipation, my thoughts cascaded through the corridors of time, a torrent of emotions intertwining past and present.

My ventures didn’t stop there, for destiny seemed to have a penchant for intertwining my path with the ebb and flow of nations.

The evening of November 9, 1989, forever etched in history as the night the Berlin Wall crumbled, holds a deeply personal significance for me. I was present during those tumultuous days, from November 6th to the 11th, navigating a business trip that had abruptly transformed into a front-row seat to history in the making. As I stood amidst the fragments of a divided world giving way to unity, I couldn’t help but reflect on the surreal journey that had brought me to that moment.

In January 27, 2008, I found myself in Jakarta, Indonesia, a witness to the seismic shift that saw Suharto’s regime crumble under the weight of change. My role as the head of the Polaroid Corporation in the country meant I was not merely an observer; I was a participant in the unfolding narrative of transformation. This, after three years of residing in the dynamic landscape of China, where each day presented its own tapestry of experiences and insights.

Yet, the tapestry of my life is woven from threads that span even further. Cast your gaze to March 23, 1994, and you will find me in Tijuana, Mexico, in the company of Luis Donaldo Colosio, who I met in Philadelphia in 1989. Little did I know that our encounter would be a poignant marker in my journey, as Colosio’s presence would forever be intertwined with a momentous period in Mexican history.

These instances, though disparate, form a connective tissue that binds the chapters of my life. They are not mere episodes but rather windows into the transformative power of human events. Through them, I’ve witnessed the collapse of walls both physical and metaphorical, the rise and fall of leaders, and the pulse of change reverberating across nations.

As I reflect on these experiences, I am reminded that life is a mosaic of moments, each contributing its hue to the larger canvas. The events I’ve encountered have imprinted upon me a profound understanding of the fluidity of existence and the resilience of the human spirit. From the fall of walls to the ascent of new beginnings, my journey has been a testament to the enduring force of change and the unwavering human capacity to adapt, evolve, and be present in the midst of history’s unfolding tapestry.

What the hell is ANXIETY disorder? Understanding Anxiety Disorders: Definition & Psychobiological Factors

Anxiety disorders are prevalent mental health conditions that can significantly impact the lives of those affected. While both men and women experience anxiety disorders, women, particularly those of reproductive age, are more vulnerable to developing these disorders compared to men. This gender disparity, with a prevalence 2-3 times higher among females, suggests the presence of underlying psychobiological factors. This article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of anxiety disorders by first defining anxiety and then exploring the psychobiological factors that contribute to its development.

How BIG is the problem, just in the USA:
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), approximately 19.1% of adults in the United States experienced an anxiety disorder in the past year. This accounts for around 48 million adults. It’s worth mentioning that this statistic includes various types of anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder (SAD), and specific phobias.

So WHAT is ANXIETY?
Anxiety is a normal emotional response characterized by feelings of fear, worry, and unease. It is a universal human experience that can arise in various situations, such as before a significant event, during a life transition, or when facing potential threats. In these instances, anxiety serves as a natural response to prepare individuals for potential challenges or dangers. However, when anxiety becomes excessive, persistent, and interferes with daily functioning, it may be indicative of an anxiety disorder.

Types of Anxiety Disorders:
Anxiety disorders encompass a range of conditions characterized by excessive and uncontrollable anxiety. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) identifies several specific anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder (SAD), specific phobias, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), among others. Each disorder has its unique set of symptoms and diagnostic criteria, but they all share a common feature of overwhelming and impairing anxiety.

Psychobiological Factors Contributing to Anxiety Disorders:

1. Genetic Predisposition: Research suggests a genetic component in the development of anxiety disorders. Certain genetic variations and hereditary factors can increase an individual’s susceptibility to anxiety disorders. However, genetics alone cannot fully explain the gender differences observed, indicating the involvement of other factors.

2. Neurobiology: The brain plays a critical role in anxiety disorders. Neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) are involved in regulating anxiety. Imbalances in these neurotransmitter systems have been implicated in the development of anxiety disorders. Additionally, brain regions like the amygdala, involved in fear processing, and the prefrontal cortex, responsible for emotion regulation, may exhibit altered activity in individuals with anxiety disorders.

3. Hormonal Factors: Hormones, particularly sex hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, may influence anxiety disorders, especially in women. Hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause have been associated with changes in anxiety symptomatology. These hormonal variations may interact with neurotransmitter systems and contribute to the gender differences observed in anxiety disorders.

4. Environmental Factors: Environmental factors, including early-life stress, trauma, adverse childhood experiences, and chronic stressors, can contribute to the development of anxiety disorders. These factors may shape an individual’s response to stress, influencing their susceptibility to anxiety disorders later in life. Social and cultural influences, such as gender roles and expectations, can also impact the expression and perception of anxiety.

Just to be sure we are all in the same page, Anxiety disorders are complex conditions influenced by a combination of psychobiological factors. While anxiety itself is a natural and adaptive response, excessive and persistent anxiety can lead to impairment and distress. Understanding the psychobiological underpinnings of anxiety disorders, including genetic predisposition, neurobiological factors, hormonal influences, and environmental stressors, is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies, accurate diagnosis, and tailored treatment interventions. By comprehensively addressing these factors, healthcare professionals can provide better support and enhance the overall well-being of individuals affected by anxiety disorders.

“False Consensus” & the “Majority Illusion”

Since I was a kid, I would read anything that end up near my hands.  Old newspapers, magazines, medical books, mechanical engineer manuals, old enciclopedias, everything.

So I keep doing this as a matter of fact, i click and go to places in the metaverse that most people have never been or would not even venture there. For me it became obvious that I can read anything I want, most sites, even those closed have always a way to get in, a promotion, a special key, a partnership that exposes their content and a lot of them have RSS feeds that is easy to bring into your own site.

While I was doing this during my moments of rest from work, I have the 24/7 video feed from the Political Conventions to watch. First the Republican and now the Democrat. Think of this, two full weeks of so many speeches, so many concepts to dig on.  It is like having a kid in a candy store.

Then it hit me that almost all of them, both sides seem to be totally disconnected from the real world, their assumptions and what they believed to be truth were totally far away from what the rest of Americans and the rest of the world are living day to day.

There are very smart people dedicated to analyze social behavior, people like me that have a specialization in Sociology, just they have more time in their hands and have been able to

  •  “Majority illusion”
    • When people are convinced that what is common among their friends and relatives, co-workers, sports club, etc. is more common than it actually is in the rest of the world, they enter this amazing zone.  
    • Constant visitors and some permanent residents here are Presidents, Prime Ministers, CEO’s and a lot of those that fall into the famous Marie-Antoinette (bride of France’s King Louis XVI)  “Qu’ils mangent de la brioche” … 
    • What happen in the augmented networking capacity that the WEB has brought is that this illusion is causing even more people, to reach wrong conclusions about how common a behavior is, leading them to accept as a norm a behavior that is globally rare.
    • This is why a very small amount people can create a big BOOM and send it as a a global issue, bu also it also helps to understand why observations and inferences individuals make of their peers are often incorrect.
  • “False Consensus”
    • The “False Consensus” effect arises when individuals overestimate the prevalence of their own features in the population, believing their type to be more common. Thus, Democrats believe that most people are also Democrats, while Republicans think that the majority are Republican.
  • “Pluralistic Ignorance” is another social perception bias. This effect arises in situations when individuals incorrectly believe that a majority believes something or accept as absolute rules that themselves do not share.

This America seems to apply to everything.. that is why we can have fake news, fake friends, fake personas, fake everything and they will be believed and followed..

 

VR , Project Tango and what does it really mean …

Google just announce that Project Tango, their vision of how we bring to real live, the depiction of Neal Stephenson’s Snow Crash vision of how we will combine what we do, how we do it, between the real world, the Universe, and the virtual world, the METAVERSE

In his world, Stephenson people will be going from one to the other, using something very similar to the Oculus, where people could even work, managing automated devices, from a distance, from home or some other place, but also they will have at some point to interact in person.  Countries become server farms and URL’s

Looking at how investment in this area is accelerating, we can understand why Project Tango is so important.

Media-In-ARVR-2-Header

Investment is accelerating in this area, mostly forced by Media companies, that can feel this is a great opportunity to level the competition ( CB Insights )

But while Google plays with all these concepts, and spend their stockholders money in all this research, the rest of the world has to deal with what is the definitions of VR = Virtual Reality.

Let’s see what FB thinks about VR : During FB8 Mark Zuckerberg was clear about VR , but no so much : “We had 360-degree open-source cameras. We had the bot revolution.We had antennas connecting the unconnected. It’s all sort of smoke and mirrors right now, but Facebook at least seems to be making this real much faster than anyone would have ever thought.”

Talking to some friends in the space, here is where i am today.  So far all the the different explanations lead me to one of these 3 :

Virtual Reality Definitions:

  • The most common these days is 360 video ( most of the pieces of the NYTimes )  Don’t know if I would call this Virtual Reality.  Eveything is REAL… nothing is added.  You can just play with what was taken… Is like having the best seat at the Opera house.  perfect for creating Travel guides, Museums Virtual visits, etc.. but all you need is a camera that is taking in 360 degrees so you can show that and let the technology control what you see or not.  This could (is ) typically added with 3D and there are way too many applications as well as specialized hardware doing this ( Oculus being the most important).

YouTube’s head of product Neal Mohan put it recently, when talking about the experience of 360 video, all you need for VR with Google is a smartphone and cheap Cardboard viewer. “Those are the kinds of magical experiences this technology is going to be able to create, without having to spend money on some fancy headset.” Tango is likely going to take that strategy, and push it one step further.

  • Augmented Reality.  I called this the Hybrid solution, You have a REAL image, video, Text and they by using technology you can over impose virtual things. Over impose video, images, where real takes get mixed with  images stored.  The best example I was able to imagine ( there are others but for now this is very good explaining what I mean)  think of a room, or house, where you can see the room through the lens of you camera, cellphone, etc. What you see are walls, empty room.  Then you use one of those hardware ( like Oculus or the cardboard or plastic where you just place your cel phone) and through and app you are suddenly immerse in that empty room.  Now with your hands and using your head as movement, you can start adding “furniture” that you have in a file or maybe even from Furniture Stores that you access online. The furniture takes the exact size to fit or not inside the room.   What it means is that based on a REAL physical experience ( the Room, the House, etc) you start adding images, video or text that is NOT real.

IKEA tried this in 2014 Catalog , that is 2 years ago… it had too many glitches, bu they were in the right direction.  Ikea just announce a new version developed at the French company Allegorithmic, using Unreal Engine 4 from Epic Games, specific for Kitchen design

  • VIRTUAL REALITY.  Now, think of yourself sitting or laying at home.  Your device operating in front of your eyes in a closed vision path. ( hardware like Oculus or cardboard or plastic with a cel phone that has an app that controls the 3D sensation and that control with movement).     You are suddenly ANY place in the world, you can access ANY posible video experience that has been prepared ( or in the near future, these “experiences” could be totally unprepared) you are suddenly talking to people (the redefinition of Instant Messenger) , presenting yourself with a specific image ( an avatar? ), buying , selling, interacting with other people or situations. … nothing is real world, but everything seems to exist.   You just place yourself in a another dimension.

For now we have to focus on the first one.. Content companies need to prepare for all this, let their content free so it can be accesses by any other program/person in a virtual fashion.  Today is still a dream.

Is the USA becoming a POLICE STATE?

I remember the times when people around the world used to admire how American will respect and trust their Police. when I was a kid, growing up in Mexico City and traveling around the country and Central America, my Father will always remind us to be careful specially with the Police and to never approach them unless there was an adult with me. Police in many countries around the world is perceived as “Pirates with the King’s license”… For many years

We used to fight against ANY State where police could detain you for any reason, that will hit you and beat you for just watching them the wrong way.

There was this dream among many around the Globe that now they all became corrupt, the typical first step for any “Police State” that we talk and hated so much about Communism. Our US scholars used to call the regimes of URSS, China, Cuba, Yugoslavia, etc. the “POLICE STATES”.

USA history of intervention to bring down so many governments because they have NO respect for the locals and the heads of those States have decided that they were THE LAW. In must cases POLICE or ARMY was not worried about the safety of society but they were defending a condition that allows them to become above the LAW.

Some will say that this POLICE or ARMIES acquired a life of their own imposing their own laws and became a rogue body inside those countries.

We seem to be heading the same way.

Once again, our best and finest NYPD – the way Giuliani, Bloomberg, Bush, etc. called the best int eh country- have attacked again. Like a POLICE MOB, they move and beat the hell out of a single person. How are we supposed to trust the efficiency and training of our Police if they can not deal with ONE single person ? This finest POLICE men and women – video is clear both participate equally – are the same that are not able to find those in motorcycles ( some of them police on their free day) attacking and scaring a little girl when they hit his father and his mother. Of course that will be too much to ask, they are not going after their own. That is exactly the definition of the MOB or a POLICE STATE.

Ironic, as these “brave” men and women were piled on top of one man, pummeling him into the ground, the brave and finest NYPD look nervous and concerned about being surrounded and outnumbered by an angry (but non-violent) crowd.

The video is very clear, when our Police have to always beat people, outnumber them, we should all be concerned.  When our children look at this, what is going to be their reaction when a member of the Police Department in an y City in the US , ask them to stop ? If it was me I will be running…

I remember how many bystanders were beaten by the NYPD during Mr. Bloomberg Dictatorship ( yes, he was that at the helm of NYC, he modified the local laws so he can reelect himself an extra period, just like the same people the US fights around the world, Chavez or Maduro in Venezuela, La Junta in Argentina, Pinochet in Chile, Mao in China, Stalin and Lenin in the USSR) just because they were in the wrong place, during the Occupy Wall Street movement?   The Police didn’t came as Heroes except for the Bankers and the Wall Street Tycoons – useless leaders at running their own companies that the Government had to intervene and save them – that sounds to me like so much government intervention, but of course our friends at Fox News won’t see it that way.  Government, too much of it, is ok as long as it defend the CAPITAL, not the SOCIETY.

I was reminded by so many people that in the US you can NOT demonstrate freely, you need a permit, but we think that the Chinese Government is wrong because one guy started a demonstration in front of the Tanks in Tiananmen or because a large number of people in HongKong decided to demonstrate and were taken out of a Park – sounds familiar Mr. Bloomberg?- or we decide to bomb a whole country because the local government decides to “control popular demonstrations”… of course as long as it happens in other places is wrong but we will NOT accept people demonstrating against ANYTHING popular in the US without beaten them and making sure they are hospitalized or even dead by choking.

According to the WashingPost 559 people shot dead by police this year, that is much more than crazy people going into theaters or schools or public places armed and shooting randomly.

We are in the brink of a revolution : REMEMBER THAT THE WOLF LIVES UNTIL WE SAY BASTA!!

Facebook vs Google : Who controls the DATA generated by the Internet of Things (IoT)

Beacons are capable of transmitting and activate functions on your smart phone…. creating DATA

Beacons are capable of transmitting and activate functions on your smart phone…. creating DATA

A race between @Facebook & @Google is happening without too many noticing.  The Internet of Things ( IoT ) needs tone able to communicate among them and with devices that actually control their functions or use their services for some linear activity ( from opening a door, control temperature, assigning you a table at a restaurant, pointing you to where to find products displayed in your shopping list, instant coupons, etc.) that interacts with smarter devices, some mobile and some other at a distance. These devices also “take info from humans” as they walk and their smart phones are connected to the WEB using so many applications that we all leave open all the time.   Think if you enter a restaurant or a store, and your phone has the Facebook app open or the Google+ or even just Gmail or Gtalk open, the beacon can activate it, letting know your app that you just enter this area.  That information is delivered through your PHONE, not through the beacon (remember i is for now a single way communication) to whoever control the application ( Facebook or Google in this specific case I am talking about).  Then the app creates a notification into your phone and ask you ” do you want to become a FAN of this XYZ Restaurant, click here” or “add Restaurant XYZ to your Google+ Circles?”

Well while you walk, your apps start collecting data from all those beacons and that info related to your Journey is conveyed to the app owners. The Wireless Registry ( TWR) is in the process of launching a large initiative so all those beacons are forced to have an ID and we can control the use of that DATA.  In the meantime Facebook and Google already started controlling the access.

So FB started a program to flood retailers, service providers, any place where humans tend to congregate with these BEACONS “Facebook Bluetooth® beacons are devices that businesses receive from Facebook. These beacons use Bluetooth® technology to send a signal to the Facebook app on your phone…”

So Google launched “set out to build a new class of beacons that addresses real-life use-cases, cross-platform support, and security.” So just like they did with Droid OS, they created an open format for BLE beacons that anyone can use: Eddystone. This programming platform has some very amazing capabilities: supports versioning so you can start small in functionality and suddenly grow as much as you want and it’s cross-platform, capable of supporting Android, iOS or any platform that supports BLE beacons. And it’s available on GitHub under the open-source Apache v2.0 license,

Of course the Facebook and Google solutions that are FREE come with caveats : each one of them control who has access to the DATA collection format and function. This is the main reason why we need a 3rd. party body that controls the famous ID’s of each IoT device, the beacons and the wireless devices.

Remember that a beacon is meant to be discoverable by any nearby Bluetooth Smart device. What makes it possible for you to stop or give access to the signal is via its identifier. Google has built a feature called Ephemeral Identifiers (EIDs), which change frequently, and allow only authorized clients to decode them. EIDs will enable you to securely do things like find your luggage once you get off the plane or find your lost keys. Google has promised to publish the technical specs of this design soon.

For some people these events are finally building a map of what is the next generation of deployments over the WEB, the so called “micro-web”, that of the IoT talking among themselves, and exchanging data that is supposed to enhance our quality of life. Until somebody starts using it for the wrong purposes….

In the meantime, watching how Facebook is trying to dominate the space by giving away the Hardware and making sure they control the features in those devices (and maybe lease in the future for 3rd. party applications?); and then waiting to see what my friend Jeff Jarvis describe very well in his book “What would google do?”, where they try to set the sandbox for everybody to play, they want to be perceived as the good guys here, and in the future they will just crush anything that is NOT inside their sandbox.

(some of this material came from Google and Facebook sites).

Owning or not the content?

So in a discussion i had at the Borrell Local Conference in NY, the subject of shall we as media companies try to be aggregators of audience, no matter where it comes from, or shall we attract more audiences because we own and control the quality of all the content we display , is the way to go?
I believe that marketing is about engagement, advertisers pay to be associated with brands, with othher products rather than just place their ads in front of the consumer. Why if not they will pay for advertisement in the digital world? Instead they could just create their own content and buy traffic to tho sites, no more media to come to for advertisement.
W will have in such world a consumer package goods company also becoming a media company. RedBull is trying to get there, prints more than a million copies of their magazine in Europe! But they keep looking for brands to associate their product… Why?
Simple, i believe that media profesionals have the key to “engage” the consumer with good, curated media.
Other than doing that, there is no reason for us to exist and we become another ad network.

Why Newspapers are becoming the next broadcaster

Beet.tv did a great job interviewing Sean Morgan, CEO of Syndicaster and John Paton, CEO at Journal Register.
IT is easy to demonstrate that while many “old media” companies have decided to give up and just wont go the extra mile to analyze the strengths and think on what is the execution for taking back the cities they are so embed into.
John Paton points, in his new blog, that it is not easy (just tell that to the people behind TBD.com ) it requires a big cultural change in teh way traditional media companies are run. I even adventure to say that it is time to bring those down and make sure they are emerging with strong strategies copying from JRC their DIGITAL FIRST plan.
here are some links to all these :

on the TND and media companies read http://jxpaton.wordpress.com

on the Video piece watch the video http://www.beet.tv/2011/02/journal-register-ce0-we-will-beat-aols-patch-and-huffington-post-.html

SEcond video on same subject : http://www.beet.tv/2011/02/jrcvideopaton.html

Video interview of Sean Morgan : http://www.beet.tv/2011/02/big-newspaper-chain-scaling-up-video-project-flow-in-the-cloud-no-final-cut-pinnacle-avid-required.html

on full disclosure I have to state that I work for John Paton for several years and I now work at JRC.

Hispanics in the US and Spanish media

I have been analyzing lately what is happening in the Hispanic market in the US. Consumption of media in spanish seem divided by those enormous amounts of hours dedicated to watch “Telenovelas” and the very small attention to any other media. Of course a big piece of the blame is to the “serious” media that has been downgrading their content to be more like the “stupid box”.
There is today, other than some very good radio shows (ie Fernando Espuelas in Los Angeles, Tsi-Tsiki Felix in Chicago), a lack of serious discussion about the role of the hispanic immigrants in this country.
My media friends from Spain are convinced that any other content that is not entertainment coming from Televisa, lacks a purpose. IT seems that the spanish language and being latino has become a definition for a non-thinking person.
I think it is time for a serious new way of thinking, new technology access, news and information hispanic focused, in spanish, bilingual or even in english, to come up front and starts representing those that have that heritage and we are worried that we are being classified just like the TV : the stupid box !!!!
Have a great weekend.