Conflicts of Interest in Action - the GameSpot Journalist Integrity controversy - submitted by David

The article below summarizes and dissects in great (and grave) detail a recent contentious controversy about journalistic integrity at Gamespot, which led to the firing of Gamespot's editor. This was a big event in the world of video game journalism.
http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=8587828&publicUserId=4561231
As David puts it, the article: 'details how Gamespot was selling editorial space to advertisers, how sections of the site were sliced up and features sold, and how Gamespot’s GameTrax service which supplies consumer behavior data is readily tainted by purchased advertising. The article goes on to recap the events that led to the firing of Gamespot Editor Jeff Gertsmann (and the ensuing controversy surrounding his firing; he wrote a negative review of Eidos' Kane & Lynch, Eidos complained to Gamespot after spending a large ad campaign on the site, and suddenly Jeff was out the door), and the subsequent (and recent) departures of two more editors, Frank Provo and Alex Navarro. It calls into question the journalistic integrity of video game reviews and demonstrates the growing power of media buyers to buy positive buzz. Scary.'

From Media Vehicles to Media Content - Contributed by Dino

Most media agencies are moving away from the traditional structure, which was designed based on media vehicles. Now teams are structured around media content (i.e. Video, Audio, etc). This means that teams will now be able to work more closely together to be able to create cross platform deals. For example NBC Universal has video outlets on the web, on network TV and on cable. By having one group focusing on video they can create campaigns and sign deals across all video outlets. Previously you would need a digital team to work with the web content and a broadcast team to work with the TV content, with no continuity.

http://adage.com/mediaworks/article?article_id=123190

LG & Netflix - contributed by Dino

Here’s a new device being developed by LG in partnership with Netflix which promises to stream HD quality movies straight to your TV.

http://blog.wired.com/business/2008/01/netflix-partner.html

Something to think about, if the writer’s get the royalties they’re looking for from DVD and digital distribution content, will that mean the studios will upcharge companies like Netflix and Apple to distribute their content. And if so how will that affect your Netflix monthly fee?

Casual Gaming and Social Networking - Fission or Fusion?

This article explores the new and potentially potent mix of Social Networking and Casual Gaming. Thousands have moved into the breach created by Facebook for developers to create online games:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/15/technology/15facebook.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

This could be a major future avenue for casual gaming, which could easily become an extremely powerful advertising tool. Potentially advertisers will know very precise details of audiences who play casual games on social networks, which should make the advertising space there very lucrative.

Thank you to Michael for donating this article.

TV ad spending - versus Online

As our own research has shown, the writers strike may accelerate changes in media consumption and behaviour. These changes were already occurring. In the UK it is now anticipated that ad spending on the Internet will exceed that on TV by 2009. http://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?id=1005797&src=article1_newsltr
Granted, British TV is downright atrocious - uncompetitive and dominated by endless reams of reality TV. This situation is made even worse by British weather that begs for diversions from reality. So perhaps it is not surprising that Britain will be the first major economy to see this shift, but it is a shift that should occur everywhere sooner or later. The writers strike will probably accelerate it in the US.

Is Market Research a Crystal Ball or an Alchemist's Delusion?

Ever wonder if our research really helps companies make the right decision? A recent real world experiment of sorts played out in New Hampshire when every pollster predicted a thumping Obama-rama victory only to be surprised when Hillary won. What went wrong? http://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?id=1005816&src=article1_newsltr

Jeffrey Grau has an interesting idea that people don't completely know themselves, or prefer to put out one public impression while actually having another.

Video Game Advertising - Trends in 2007

This article looks at the various trends that emerged in video game advertising in 2007. In-game advertising took off. Advertising in casual gaming is becoming the new business model for casual gaming. And companies' advertising budgets for video games greatly increased. We have been and continue to be well positioned to profit from these trends:
http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/features/ad-watch-2007-year-in-review/71320/?biz=1