(Thoughts captured on the back of a napkin at Manhattan's Burger Joint during lunch.)
1. Move to ad-supported content distribution model. Support more programming, charge high CPM
because audience is so engaged -- how can that possibly be a bad thing?
2. Build or buy dynamic ad-insertion technology. Thus, the ad-supported content would "refresh" on a time schedule
(the same way that podcasts get synced when you sync your iPod) and new ads would be inserted based on the genre, your top 25 most-listened-to songs and types of podcasts you listen to.
3.
Hold an iTunes/iPod upfront. Maybe it's too soon?
4. Integrate ad-insertion technology with iTV. Duh.
5. Buy Brightcove. Yeah I know it is all Flash-based, but the user
interface and the burgeoning advertising platform would make it a very interesting way to create content "channels." Besides, it would shake people up a bit, no?
6. Create export/import
application for phone contacts, because it is going to be a bear for all those cell users to transfer contacts from their existing handsets.
7. Send thank you-notes to owners of the 100
million iPods worldwide. Or maybe give them a free song download?
8. Launch original online programming channels in iTunes. (Give Lydia a call about this).
9. Send Ballmer
his iPhone.
10. Consider charcoal gray as a wardrobe color option.
Now, what would you do? You tell me.
(Note to Media Technology Futures readers -- as of this week,
Media Technology Futures will be published every other week. You will find me every Monday on the TV Board, so please "tune in" and let me know what you think.)