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

Chillin' at the Cape.....

Spending the week with the family, in Chatham Mass - out on Cape Cod.

I wanted to send out a big hearty congratulations to our friends at, Fotolog.

"Fotolog, a US photo-sharing and social-networking site, has been bought by Hi-Media, Europe's third-ranked interactive advertising agency, for $90m."

The rest of the article is HERE. 

Fotolog has been a great partner for Lotame, and we are thrilled for them to be a part of Hi-Media. 

Hats off to a great bunch of people at Team Fotolog -- as it has been our pleasure and honor to work with you......

Incredible Music Celebrating the Life of Kerouac

Sunday August 12, 2007.....

Lowell, Mass. is the birthplace of Jack Kerouac - and on August 12th it was also 50th anniversary of his acclaimed novel, "On The Road."

As part of the celebration, Bob Weir and Ratdog played two incredible sets of music.

Here is the link to the page hosting the show - scroll down the page under Bob Weir's name - and click on the listen button for:  (sorry I cant paste the music file)

Bob Weir:

"Performance, Lowell Summer Music Festival, 2007  - Listen."

If you have 5-6 minutes, just listen to the opener which is a mellow jam, into Cassidy.

It's a incredible performance by Steve Kimock, who plays lead guitar - and it made me smile.......

You will enjoy as well.

Stones and Scorcese........ Many of you by now realize, I'm a huge fan of the Rolling Stones. Last October, The Stones played 2 shows at the Beacon Theater in NYC. They did these shows to film a movie, directed by Martin Scorcese...... Here is the trailer, which is AWESOME. I'm excited to see this movie.

A Look Back, and Look Ahead.....

Last night, I went to the PNC Arts Center, in Holmdel NJ, to see Ratdog and the Allman Brothers.

Ratdog is Bob Weir's Band.  Bob Weir was a member of the Grateful Dead.   He has been touring with Ratdog since his musical brother, Jerry Garcia died in 1995.

Last night was special for many reasons.....one of which is my favorite guitar player, Steve Kimock has been playing with Ratdog during this tour...and he sounded great playin' leads, and filling in GD songs in a way, VERY FEW individuals know how to do.

More important than the music itself, was how TIME actually impacted me as I watched Bob Weir, sing the songs that I grew up with.   As he sang many songs from the catalogue of material that the Grateful Dead compiled over 35 years, (now nearly 45yrs) - I was struck at how a 60 year old man, has evolved, maintained -- and matured....in every way.

You see, Bobby "Rock Star" Weir, stayed relatively young looking throughout the 70's, 80's and 90's......maybe this was because he was standing next to Jerry Garcia (who was no picture of health) - but he really was a youthful looking guy.

Here is Bobby from 1979.

Here is Bob from 1969

These are many of the images "in my mind" as I listen to Bob Weir sing, play rhthym guitar- and I spritually connect with the Grateful Dead.

Sitting there, watching Bob Weir sing, the pictures to the left, is what I imagined in my mind, as he sang the songs he wrote......

Was that right?

Was it right of me to selfishly, NOT WANT ONE OF MY MUSICAL HERO'S TO AGE?

I felt a pang of guilt.....guilt from wanting Bob Weir to stay young, for wanting a HUGE PIECE of my youth to stay young.....

Suddenly, he started singing a song that Jerry wrote called, Scarlet Begonias (not his song) - and I released my desire, to STOP the hands of time.

I appreciated how he has evolved, progressed - and matured.

The concert got better, as I appreciated Bobby's lifetime accomplishments more than ever. 

"River gonna take me
Sing me sweet and sleepy
Sing me sweet and sleepy
all the way back back home
It's a far gone lullaby
sung many years ago
Mama, Mama, many worlds I've come
since I first left home"   

Broke-down Palace"
Words by Robert Hunter; music by Jerry Garcia

Here are some recent shots of the AGELESS WONDER, Bob Weir from August 2007.

(photo credits to the following: to Bob Minkin, Baron Wolman, Ric Findlay,)

Potential for Moving Ahead

I read a piece today by a gentleman named Joe Marchese.  I've been a fan of Joe's insights and writing, as he is a contributor to Mediapost's Website -- he has helped them develop compelling content, for people in the online media business.

His piece today titled: "Advertising’s Potential To Pacify Portal’s Pains" is simply awesome.  I highly recommend this piece......(I've sent it to all of our employees as well as investors).....

His view on portals losing business:

" The issue underscored by the opening quote by Ron Grant and nailed by Jordan Rohan, an analyst with RBC Capital Markets, that traditional portals are losing audience to social media. “Just like Yahoo, AOL is fighting MySpace, Facebook and others for audience and ad dollars, and those are tough competitors,” said Rohan,"

"The realization that portals don’t necessarily hold the same value they once did is as important for advertisers as it is for the portals."

But, this is where I nearly fell off my chair, as he precisely expressed what I've been communicating to our publishing clients, and brand marketers....

"But the game changer will be the ability to deliver value to brand marketers across fragmented/social media. Cracking this will require some pretty significant innovation in online advertising’s targeting, delivery and measurement metrics, as well as redefining the nature of the relationship between agencies/advertisers and online brand advertising network, which is the really hard work.

But the reward is infinitely larger than most people understand, because addressing these issues will lead to a google-like result. Why? Because, publishers, in the end, are focused on monetization. "

Joe, you win high praise from TEAM LOTAME. 

The innovation in online monetization for publishers, coupled with targeting for advertisers is starting to take off.  It's part evangelizing, part evolution -- and alot of "Lotamization..."

As Dan Reich said to me today:

Google = Keywords and Text.

Lotame = Engagement, Verbs and Interaction.

That is the genesis of innovation....

Rock on, and thanks Joe. 

I've Got News For You, Mr. Falco.......

I've got news for you Mr. Falco.

"AOL’s recent lower-than-expected growth in advertising revenues was a “hiccup” and did not indicate any “radical disruption” to its business, said Randy Falco, the US television executive who took the top job at the internet division of Time Warner this year."

Some recent data released from Bear Stearns shows Mr. Falco may be "off-base" - as it relates to what he calls a "hiccup" -- I call it a PARADIGM SHIFT in places where consumers are spending their time, consuming internet media.

"The largest user group in social networking/user generated content sites, are Adults in the 35-54 yr old category -- they are spending nearly 40% of their time online in Social Media properties (like Myspace, Facebook, and Linked In)  -- this is directly at the expense of portals like AOL and Yahoo. "

My Space had year over year growth of 35% from 06' to 07'.

Facebook had year over year growth of 103% from 06' to 07'.

What do you think is the AOL portal properties year over year growth?

I'm sure for some properties like AOL IM, it is off the charts.......but, for their main, content driven portal -- it is significantly less.

What does this mean?

It means that advertisers that once flocked to portals are beginning to diversify their media allocation -- and INCLUDING SOCIAL MEDIA AT A FAR FASTER RATE THAN EXPECTED.....and, this is at the expense of portals.

Page Views for Web 2.0 sites are growing at such a rate (oversupply of inventory) that it makes the advertising FAR MORE COST EFFECTIVE, to reach a similar audience for a brand marketer.....(than portals).

Engagement/Usage for Social Media is FAR HIGHER than portals.

In 2011, it is estimated than the US revenues for Advertising on UGC (user generated content) will exceed $4 billion dollars......

"Conclusions".....

1) Social Networking is growing and here to stay.

2) Social Networks could become the new portals.

3) Social Networks can be monetized, and there is a large opportunity to do so.

"Hiccup", is not how I would describe the shift going on with portals.

It's more like a "evolutionary change" eerily similar to Mr. Falco's past, in watching TV advertising budgets begin to move onto the internet......

Full disclosure:  I'm a shareholder and fan of AOL, but I'm concerned when a leader describes media consumption shifts, as a "hiccup" rather than what it really is.

"Seldom turns out the way it does in a song.
Once in a while you get shown the light
In the strangest of places if you look at it right" (Hunter/Garcia, Scarlet Begonias)

Time to look at the data......

It aint no "Hiccup."

Images from Marlin Stadium

Friday Night August 17th 2007.....

Marlins vs Giants.  Olsen vs Zito.

Bonds vs The World.

I must tell you, last night I was embarrassed.  Embarrassed to be sitting next to a 8yr old boy, who was sitting with his father, yelling at the top of his lungs, when Bonds came up.....

"Barry, you are a cheater.  Barry, you are a fool...."  (and for added flavor, throwing in curse words.....)

I've been going to baseball games since I was 5 years old, and NEVER have I witnessed the level of hatred, negativity, and downright meaness, that I saw on display against BARRY BONDS last night.

Cursing, signs, and slogans -- all around a sports figure who happens to hold a sacred record, but has been accused of cheating to achieve it......

As a young kid, I remember attending a Mets vs Reds game (at Shea Stadium) with my grandfather.  I recall, cheering against Peter Rose.....(he played 3rd base for the REDS) -- but the level of my negativity to him, may have been a few boos, or a "Pete you stink...." -- BUT NEVER CURSING, NEVER BORDERING HOSTILE.  (I ended up being a huge Pete Rose fan, whe nhe moved to the Phillies and helped them win a World Series in 1980, and that was my 1st World Series in person at Veteran Stadium)

Hostility is the proper way to describe what awaits Bonds nightly, as he goes about his daily work.

It is embarrassing as a lifelong Baseball fan, to listen to, and somehow be a part of a mob AGAINST BARRY  -- THAT I WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH....I really just want to watch a good game, and witness, a game I love.....

I'm embarrassed that somehow, I became part of the mob......just by my being there.

Full disclosure:   I cheered and gave Bonds a standing ovation.....maybe its the contrarian in me, or maybe it is me going against the grain......dont care. Here are a few images of last nights game, click on any image to enlarge....

My Space Revenue

My Space Announces Results......

Last week, Fox Interactive released financial results for My Space.  Not surprisingly, the company reported revenue of $550 Million dollars, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007.

A few important things jumped into my mind as I read this. 

1) Many people thought in 2005, (2 years after My Space was launched by E Universe) that Rupert Murdoch had overpaid, after he shelled out $580 mm for a "social networking website" - with little to no visibility as to, HOW IT WOULD deliver revenue to it's parent, News Corp.  "“It wasn’t so long ago–24 months–when many thought we were embarking on a fool’s errand (with MySpace),” said News Corp. CEO Rupert Murdoch.

2) My Space is clearly paving the way for two critical elements in Web 2.0/Social Media.   

a) Advertisers - by allowing major brands and marketers to feel a high level of comfort when communicating with consumers, in a cost effective, high impact way....that extends the brand in a "new and dynamic way."

b) Publishers - (owners of a community) - by providing a clear roadmap - as to precisely what, to focus on.....(recipe for success.)

And this is what jumped out out ME, (hat tip Jessica) - as it relates to future growth for MySpace.

Between The Lines:

"This growth would come from the Google search deal, international growth on the Web and better monetization. News Corp. is also benefiting as advertisers flock to social sites at the expense of portals."

International Growth?

Better Monetization?

Advertisers flock to social sites at the expense of portals?

When I launched LOTAME - all three of the above points were incorporated in my original business plan.   I was focused on the fact that, much like the beginnning of the internet itself -- social networking would go through many of the VERY SAME issues of growth.....and that the current platforms were not equipped to look at, and process data effectively for "user generated content" as a viable method for publishers and advertisers.

International Growth:  A Key learning and piece of information is that the US makes up less than 5% of the world's population.  5%!  We are a wired country, plain and simple.....meaning that our core population of 15-54, are mostly online, using the internet as both a means of communication, as well as a information source.   The rest of the world, (mostly South America and Asia) are coming online at rates that are equal to our adoption rates in 1996-1997-1998.   Those three years were the period of unparalled growth in the United States.....and they are now being surpassed in countries that are coming online rapidly.  There is a major need for companies (like Lotame) who can focus on international impressions/media.....as they pour into US based communites - (like My Space.)

Advertisers are embracing Social Media sites, as a "unique and different" means of communicating with their core consumers.  Our goal is to help them precisely target profiles, and "usage patterns" - (which is far more statistically significant, and relevant to Social Media) - than simply buying impressions based on demographic data.

One of the main challenges that we are focused on is the following:

"Inside of Social Media and Web 2.0 a main problem that the industry faces is the disproportionate volume of impressions (page views) generated by each user in a community.  This is a confounding problem, and forces much of the media into a "remnant category" -  but, with advanced monetization, and cutting edge targeting tools -- it CAN BE (the media) placed into more of a premium placment for both publisher, and advertiser."

The roadmap that MySpace lays out, should be a focused "recipe" for growing any property inside of "user generated content." 

It has certainly been our core focus, and will continue to be.

Rock on. 

Sunday August 12, 2007 Shea Stadium with my Family......

Sunday August 12, 2007 Shea Stadium with my Family......

Yesterday, my family treated me to a day filled with fun, smiles, heat, and MORE than a simple baseball game.

2 specific attributes made it a special day.

1) It was both of my daughters (Camryn and Dylan age 6) first "official" family trip to a major league baseball game.  I was so proud to be sitting at a game with my children, and wife -- that I wondered if  as they grow older if they will remember, (as I do) my first baseball game.  There is something profoundly incredible, for a father to watch a game through the eyes of his own children.  To watch, as they follow the pitcher throw the ball, to both kids also glancing at every vendor who sells, hot dogs, soda and cotton candy.  The kids soaked in the day, the green grass, the sights and sounds of a major league park.....and I was more fulfilled soaking them in (my kids) - than I was in the game itself.

2) Yesterday was Tom Glavine Day.  A ceremony was held prior to the game to honor Mets pitcher Tom Glavine, for achieving a feat that we may never witness again --  300 victories.  The game of baseball has certainly evolved (with 5 man rotations, pitching counts) - so much so, that 300 wins in a career is such a monumental feat that it probably will not be achieved again.   Tom Seaver was on hand to "welcome" Tom (who will certainly be a 1st ballot hall of famer) to the 300 club.  All in all, a special day.

My kids may forget it (I hope not) --- but I most certainly will not.

See pictures below, of family, players, sites and images of Shea Stadium on a Sunday in August....... (click on any image to enlarge)

RSSRay Official Podcast with ME

Thanks to everyone that tuned in to my live radio segment with RSSRay. Below are the podcasts.

ROCK ON!