YOU AIN'T GONNA LEARN WHAT YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW

2 Great Leaders and RESULTS.

2 Great Leaders and RESULTS.

Blogging has been a bit light the past few weeks, as we as a family, have been traveling a bit, and spending time away from home -- visiting many different places....I will post pictures from our journey upon our return.

I'm very excited for 2 things, (and thankful)in a sports-oriented way, as we close the books on 2006.

Let's start with a team that I'm a season ticket holder for, and a team that I spend alot of energy cheering for. The NEW YORK JETS. This past Monday night in Miami, I sat for the entire game in the rain, at the top of Section 402, (the end zone) 3 rows from the top of the stadium, and GOT DRENCHED. Our tailgate party was great, (I love parking on grass, and hanging with no shoes at a tailgate -- something you surely would never do at the Meadowlands, in the concrete jungle)-- but the game was sloppy, and played in monsoon like conditions.

Eric Mangini the coach of our JETS, managed a wonderful game. Coming into this season -- NO ONE would have believed we would be in a position to be going into the last weekend of the season at 9-6, and in control of our playoff destiny. Coach Mangini is EVERYTHING that Herm Edwards is not....a DISCIPLINED MANAGER WHO BELIEVES IN LEADING -- he is NOT a players coach. Coach Mangini controls his team in practice through intense drills, and a clear game plan....he also believes that players should be held accountable in a very specific way. THE NEW YORK JETS ARE ONE OF THE LEAST PENALIZED TEAMS IN THE LEAGUE, and it is SUCH a pleasure to watch a team that does not commit dumb penalties over and over.

Before a game, the entire team watches a BOXING match....

"As he did before the Jets' season-opening win at Tennessee, Mangini broke out a boxing video to make his point. He had his players watch Larry Holmes' 13-round TKO of Gerry Cooney in 1982.."

and more.

"He may not be watching the same tapes as the rest of us, but then nobody is going to question the way Mangini has low-keyed this team all the way into contention. The coach is a strange guy - more cerebral than he is either macho or conversational. He likes to show boxing films to his players, reliving the days when Mangini watched these bouts with his father. For the moment, the team seems amused by his odd habits, even inspired."

And, he went on Sesame Street.....
In a nutshell, these wins this year have been MANGINI WINS, and with any of our previous 5 coaches we would be have 4-12 at BEST. Thanks Coach M!

Coach #2 -- Rutgers Coach, Greg Schiano.

I've been a lifelong Rutgers Sports fan. Both my father and brother attended RU, but more importantly I grew up 10 miles from the campus. Growing up in East Brunswick which is the bordering town to New Brunswick, made going to a college basketball or football game as a kid, MUCH EASIER and more cost efficent than going to a professional game 60 miles away.

Rutgers became one of the teams that I really enjoyed to cheer for. My memories of the 1976 Basketball team that went to the final four, are established firmly in my youth and memory....and always bring a smile....James Bailey/Eddie Jordan....

Football has been a different story. The team has consistenly been below average. One of the main reason is that the BEST recuits in our states frequently went to Penn State or Miami.

No more.

We have a coach in NJ who works so hard, is so disciplined, and comes with such a solid game plan, that he won college football's coach of the year.

Here is Coach Schiano from the Boomer Esiasion show(in NYC on MSG) -- and its gives a good understanding of why he is a good coach.

In closing, recognizing and rewarding talent...as well as coming in with a solid game plan to their jobs -- have made 2006 a GREAT year to be a fan of RU and the JETS.

Thursday evening RU plays in the Texas Bowl vs. Kansas State....

Next Sunday (12-31) the Jets play the Raiders, and with a win qualify for the NFL playoffs.

These 2 coaches have produced results for their teams and the fans.

They are also GREAT role models on managing and building a winning atmosphere.

GO JETS and RU!!!!!

Advertising Space Online.... In today's

Advertising Space Online....

In today's online media world, there are two specific types of display advertising (inventory) that advertisers buy, and publishers sell.

* Premium - This is considered high quality placement (example: Yahoo Front Page) that allows brands to advertise on pages that are relevant to their audience. These are typically web pages that advertisers feel comfortable with, and are highly trafficked, thus "premium spots." The price is for this positioning on any given page is sold by the increments of 1000 (called CPM) thus it may go for $7.00 CPM, or cost per thousand impressions. Premium inventory is GREAT to advertise on, but it does not grow as fast as the internet advertising (it is virtually static) and can be expensive for many advertisers.

* Non-Premium - This is considered -- THE REST OF THE INTERNET. Some pundits think it comprises 75% of all advertising space currently online. Remnant inventory is the advertising space that MAY NOT have the highest profile, it may not be on the front page, but it is media, and a definite media source that is growing.
Advertising Networks depend upon publishers selling them their space that the publisher themselves cannot sell. In other words, publishers send out their inventory, when they cannot monetize it themselves. As technology becomes better at identifying users and inventory -- you will see remnant media decrease -- and CPM's (costs rise) -- the better that publishers can target their space.

Here is a example of a economic breakdown on a publisher that has 500 Million Impressions per month to sell, and lets us take the example, that 25% is premium inventory -- and 75% is considered remnant, or non-premium.

* 500 Million Impressions
* 75% is remnant or 375 Million Impression
* The Value of the 375 Million impressions is 50 cents CPM (or dollar amount per thousand of impressions)
*The remnant inventory is worth -- $187,500. The site gets $187,500 for 75% of their media.

If the site could yield 72 cents CPM (instead of the 50 cents above)a difference of .22 cents -- the upside is the following:
375 million impressions at .72 cents = $270,000

A difference of $82,500. A HUGE swing up monetarily for the publisher. The positive effect can be felt in numerous ways:
1) higher revenue
2) better use of their inventory
3) less remnant inventory
4) better targeting and results for advertisers
5) a more compelling user experience.

Here is the best part of the scenario -- (and if you have read this far, you probably understand it...)-- we take on the risk to generate results for our publisher clients.

We, at LOTAME do this.
We make our clients MORE money, by providing virtually risk free technology to do all of the above....We make our money by participating in the upside -- and focusing on creating more value from our clients media -- and sharing in the win.

We call it performanced based technology, for the PUBLISHER.

Rock on.

Working on the Elevator Pitch....

Working on the Elevator Pitch....

This is a good video on what makes up a good, "elevator pitch." I'm learning alot as I talk to VC's, on what to focus on -- (and it is VERY different than speaking to a potential customer)

The key key ingredients to focus on are:

*what is the problem you are trying to solve? (what is the pain?)
*how does your venture solve the problem?

Lotame Site Relaunch.... A little

Lotame Site Relaunch....

A little bit of self promotion never hurt.

Our new site is HERE.

Wallstrip on Direct TV. My

Wallstrip on Direct TV.

My friend Howard Lindzon made a "brief appearance" on today's Wallstrip.

Wallstrip is excellent production, that is produced and posted daily with a focus on:
"Our business is hot trends and
stocks at all time highs."
(please take special note of Howard's 10 seconds of fame, it is surreal and award winning)

Technology vs Content...and Strategy. Music

Technology vs Content...and Strategy.

Music is a DRIVING force in my existence. It soothes me, stabilizes me, and provides me comfort nearly every single day.

Riding in the car, my music is EXTREMELY loud, and very crisp, and balanced through a well respected, and adored sound system.

If you looked through my IPOD, or my CD's here is a list of music you would find.
Grateful Dead, Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Kinks, The Who, Simon and Garfunkel, Crosby Stills ans Nash, Neil Young, YES, The Police, Rush - and various other bands that make up a large part of what I would term, "classic rock."

I respect people that can enjoy and appreciate newer music, but for some reason the recent and new bands - do not "hit me" the same way that Jerry Garcia, or Keith Richards does.

One thing you should know -- is 99% of the time -- I listen to the bands that I've listed above, in a "LIVE CONCERT" format -- I rarely listen to studio releases, as I've made a hobby of acquiring bootlegs, and rare live soundboard copies of shows. I blogged a piece about collecting live music, and the DILEMMA I WAS FACING, that I've yet to answer.........

But, I must say - THE GRATEFUL DEAD has so much of a impact on me, that they truly altered my outlook on life, BEYOND MUSIC.

I learned a few valuable lessons as I toured this beautiful country many times, "Who are the Grateful Dead, and WHY ARE THEY FOLLOWING ME?"

In every time zone, in many states, and places I had never been - but most of all, the many people that I came in contact with, that enriched my soul.

We all shared a common bond.

Music.

Now mind you, some people came just to party at the concerts, and especially at the end of the Grateful Dead's touring days -- the "scene", became folks in cities and towns across the country, that came to the concerts and venues, more to drink and tailgate -- than they did to see, amazing music. Make no mistake -- the scene grew steadily from the early 80's straight through to 1995......

One major attribute that sticks with me is the ability to live life, and allow your content to flow freely. Allow your creativity to end up where it may - with NO STRINGS ATTACHED. The band came out and played nearly one hundred nights a year for many consecutive years, and allowed their shows/concerts to be taped by the audience. (Some nights they were horrid, but it was all part of the experience, and then one night, you caught "Jerry's magic" that severely dented your being)

The Grateful Dead effectively led the way for what we see happening now in the media world, and content and distribution circles.....they were visionaries - and possibly we can all learn some lesson - and look at the, BYPRODUCT OF THEIR SUCCESS. What did their concept of releasing content, (their live shows without strings) what impact did it have, possibly unforseen over the years?

Early Record Labels (Warner) tried in vain to keep the DEAD from allowing their concerts to be taped - for fear of "diluting their product." The labels were worried that their business would suffer (and it did) by the unleashing of, CONTENT for free, on a mass scale with no commercial gain......

Had a record executive with vision, asked the band early on -- to continue their practice of allowing the audience to tape and record the shows, and in return - the record label could have, a fixed percentage for 35 years of ALL concert receipts and sales...... you think that would have worked for the label?

I believe so......and that is why - CONTENT OWNERS and PRODUCERS must look at "creative ways" to be compensated for their hard work and effort, they cannot rely on standard 20th century guidelines. Technology will not allow it.

I'm afraid the - BUSINESS AND COMMERCE SIDE OF ART AND CREATIVITY, IS FALLING FAR BEHIND THE ABILITY TO DISTRIBUTE CONTENT, and it is out of fear - rather than a visionary strategy.

Warner Brothers made a HUGE mistake in 1973 by fighting with a band (Grateful Dead) over creative rights to live concerts. If any visionaries at Warner, would have "thought out of the box" -- the revenue stream (of potentially attaching themselves to the gross sales of each concert,) the record company could have potentially dwarfed any gold or platinum record in the pipeline. Keep in mind the Grateful Dead toured until 1995 - and from 1986 to 1995 were continuously amongst the top touring bands in the United States.

I write this because today I helped a good friend (who is both a artist and a producer) explore a new way to "profit from creativity."

Creativity, is needed urgently not only from the artist and producers -- but from the BUSINESS side of the table as well.

Technology and The Social Angle, that the media world is taking - DEMAND IT.

My favorite musician GETS IT.
His name is Steve Kimock. He is the BEST GUITARIST IN THE WORLD.
Have a look/listen for yourself -- this is called "Hillbillies"
Its from 4-3-99, Great American Music Hall, SF.

4.3.99 - Hillbillies on PCP - Steve Kimock guitars, Bobby Vega bass, Alan Hertz drums, Ray White vocals, guitar