Podcasts and New Media Advertising

*This post is edited from the original, which was featured on Socialnomics.

I can personally say the way I consume media has drastically changed. I watch TV on Netflix or Hulu and don’t have cable. I enjoy original shows, clips, and programs on YouTube, listen to music on Spotify or Songza as well as one of the most unique new forms of entertainment; podcasts.

The podcasts I enjoy are simply digital copies of audio/radio broadcasts and interviews. My constant favorite for the past few years is the Nerdist Podcast which is great for entertainment purposes as well as stuff like the Smart People Podcast, Reply All, or Nerdette, which all have some great thought provoking content. What I think is the distinguishing feature of podcasts is how I am able to consume them. I can download them onto my smartphone, listen to them in the car or on the go with headphones while I work out for example. It’s awesome, original content coming out all year that is experiencing a boom recently, which in turn is a great opportunity for advertisers to create a unique relationship with their audience.

According to recent findings, at least 29% of Americans listen to audio podcasts (clumping in video bumps this number up), which is a sizable chunk consuming podcasts of all varieties on an array of topics. This means that consumers are getting on demand entertainment, news, and discussion on what they want most, creating a unique experience for them every time they listen. I know with the Nerdist Podcast, I feel like I’m catching up with friends when I listen to the podcast so whenever they talk about something, I follow up and heed their opinions. Check out these recent metrics that back up that sentiment:

• 67% of podcast listeners don’t mind sponsorship messages and occasionally find them useful, compared to only 6% positive sentiment expressed for the advertising approaches of television or commercial radio.
• Nearly 80% of podcast consumers (responding to the survey), agreed that “when price and quality is equal,” they “prefer to buy products from companies that advertise on or sponsor” the podcasts they regularly enjoy.
• Ninety percent of these respondents indicated that they had taken some kind of action as a result of podcast advertising or sponsorship, and over 40% reported purchasing behaviors, which indicates that they are receptive to the right message, in the right context. (For the rest of the findings, click here)

Although I’m mostly highlighting podcasts here, it is clear that with this being a huge "new media" format, other mediums like music streaming sites and video streaming sites cater to the same sensibilities. We don’t want to be fed phony ads any longer. If I’m looking to buy a camera, I’m going to ask my friend who knows about cameras or reference customer reviews at the very least. Consuming is social and the advent of on-demand entertainment is linked with that. Advertisers should take notice and start to take advantage of this new possibility to create a more authentic, genuine connection with their customers.

Thanks for stopping by!

Movie Review Monday: Camp Takota

 Welcome to another awesome edition of Movie Review Monday!

This week's movie comes to us from Netflix and is the YouTube star laden Camp Takota (2014). The film features Grace Helbig, Hannah Hart, and Mamrie Hart all of YouTube fame coming together for this adult coming of age tale.

Helbig stars as the lead, Elise Miller, who returns to her childhood summer retreat, the titular Camp Takota, after she loses her job and her fiance. It is not something she does willingly at first but she eventually finds herself at the camp, and helps some of her coworkers at the beloved campground along the way.

The movie is simple, fun, quirky, cute, and utilizes its stars well. Helbig and the Harts are playing slightly varied versions of themselves, so they are comfortable onscreen. While it isn't anything extraordinary, it's original and a fine first entry into what I assume will be more independent films from these folks in varied forms.

I'd recommend this movie for a casual, easygoing weekend viewing. While it's nothing special, it's a fine film with a nice vibe and positive message.

Check out Camp Takota's awesome site for some cool swag and behind the scenes stuff, and stream it right now on Netflix!

* PS: This will be my last movie review for the year, I'll be back on January 5th with more weekly movie reviews. Happy Holidays!

Thanks for stopping by!

Streaming Media & The Democratization of Content

I consume my fair share of streaming content. Between Hulu, Netflix, Amazon, Pandora, Songza, Spotify, and YouTube, I get a lot of my entertainment this way and rely on it every day. It's the way of the future with new original content coming out on some of these services as well as them being an important tool for discovering different content that would otherwise go unnoticed. This is why I'm a big supporter of these platforms. They democratize the consumption of content, allowing for more people to enjoy more awesome things whenever they want and however they want. I see that as a pretty positive thing. Unfortunately there are some critics out there and especially with death knells like net neutrality lingering out there which threaten the thriving ecosystem of the Internet, I feel now is as good a time as ever to reinforce the positives of streaming media services.

Access

As I mentioned before, people are now able to enjoy whatever they want, whenever they want. This could mean that I can watch news on the train, silly videos in bed, or listen to podcasts when I work out. This empowers people to be more informed, relaxed, and makes things like commutes or long drives more enjoyable and bearable. I don't see anything wrong with that! Obviously we all can't binge Netflix all the time, but we now can consume quick bits wherever we are so that we stay connected to what is important to us.

Variety

With the wide open access of content available currently, it is amazing the incredible diversity of content that is out there. Small, independent music, television, and podcasts can reach a wide audience or even just simply connect with their niche of fans. Whatever the topic or genre of content, there is sure to be an audience for it and there isn't an establishment saying that it doesn't track well with the mainstream. We can all be our weird, fun, uniquely authentic selves and it's okay!

Community

A big part of this that I enjoy is the community I see online around YouTube channels, Spotify playlists, or even niche television shows (like Community, House of Cards, Sleepy Hollow, Orange is the New Black, Arrow/The Flash, or even Scandal) where every piece of new content is an event and is talked about, shared, and remixed, mashed up, or fan art is created inspired by it. It's great to see passionate people come together to connect over their mutual love of something. It can be huge for a lot of us lonely geeks and nerds out there who may feel like we are alone in enjoying whatever we're into. It's important to find others to geek out with!

Streaming media services are here to say, regardless of what people like Taylor Swift say or hopefully whatever comes of the net neutrality decision. Support your favorite independent content, share awesome stuff you find with friends, and keep streaming my friends!

Thanks for stopping by!

Epic Rap Battle: Nerd VS Geek

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Tvy_Pbe5NA] This awesome song by Rhett & Link that came out several months ago has been stuck in my head lately and I can't stop listening. I had to share it with you all since I'm sure most of you will find it as fun as I have. It's very clever and catchy!

Hack Your Life & Make The Most of the Next 30 Days

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnfBXjWm7hc] I was just talking about this video and sentiment the other day, in the context of my personal wellness journey. While I'm not quite where I want to be (I need to get a more consistent workout routine), I'm much better than I was a few years ago, mostly with better eating habits.

A major way I changed some of my bad habits was by undertaking several "30-Day Challenges", which are detailed in the short, engaging, fun video above. Whether you want to start going to the gym or stop drinking soda, write every day or stay off social media, doing something for 30 days is just about the right time to form a habit and pattern in your life. At the very least you'll sort of do a cleanse if you don't imbibe in junk food for a month, for example, and you can sort of ween yourself back in so you don't feel like you're depriving yourself.

Making small, incremental, sustainable changes in our lives is how we're able to become more healthy, productive, and positive. A line I like to say is that you can't get fit in a week, but you also can't get unfit in a week. Change takes time so get out there and start working on your goals, whatever they may be, since, like the video says:

"The next thirty days are going to pass, whether you like it or not. So why not think about something you have always wanted to try, and give it a shot, for the next thirty days."

What I'm Geeking Out About This Week - 06/05/14

Salutations! Here's what I'm geeking out this (busy) week!

• Drunk Ron Swanson

If you love Parks & Recreation (which you all should, it's great), you'll love this forever looping GIF. I wasted a solid few minutes on it. You're welcome.

• How Did This Get Made

I've been binged on a few episodes of this great podcast lately during my string of travels. It has comedians Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas (all of whom you may know from the many things they have done, much of it together) chatting about movies that are so bad they're good. I've listening to episodes ranging from Green Lantern to Battlefield Earth, Fast Five to Superman III, and of course, the competitive arm-wrestling classic, Over the Top. It's a lot of fun and they have some great guests on to help with the hilarity, so definitely check it out if you're looking for a new podcast and love movies.

• Screen Junkies

So this is another movie centric thing I'm into (obviously I love movies). This YouTube channel has been around for several years but it has really hit its stride with all of its great, original segments, and their beloved Honest Trailers. I always find myself engaged with their content so I wanted to give them a shout out and encourage you to check out their channel.

Thanks for stopping by! Have an awesome weekend!

My Favorite TED Talks

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=videoseries?list=PL873C206FEE6DA034] I wanted to curate this YouTube playlist for everyone of some of my favorite TED Talks that I've found so far. I'll keep updating the list and would love to hear more recommendations from folks.

Enjoy!

Support for #YesAllWomen & The Real Issues Behind Elliot Rodger

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPFcspwbrq8] I felt the urge to share this video* because I feel it is important as a male feminist ally. Laci Green sums up the issues very well behind why someone would do the terrible things Elliot Rodger did and how misogyny is literally killing people.

* Warning: Footage of Elliot Rodger is shown in this video, albeit a brief clip. I know some people may not want to see him/hear him, so I am including this caveat to the above video.

Support #YesAllWomen on Twitter with a retweet, favorite, or even just taking some time to read all of the messages. There is some great learning and catharsis happening on there.

Awesome New Guardians of the Galaxy Trailer!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUMAGs3u_dM] Sharing this awesome new trailer for Guardians of the Galaxy in case you missed it recently. August can't come soon enough! My curiosity and anticipation for this movie continues to grow.

New Dawn of the Planet of the Apes Trailer!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sHMCRaS3ao] I was just talking about this movie in a recent geek out! This trailer is awesome and I am even more excited for this movie now!