Medias Collide: Universal Music Seek Royalty with ipod

Original Article can be Found at : Reuter's Website: Universal Music May Seek Royalty With ipod


"NEW YORK (Reuters) - Universal Music Group Chief Executive Doug Morris said on Tuesday he may try to fashion an iPod royalty fee with Apple Computer Inc. in the next round of negotiations in early 2007.

Universal, the world's largest music company, owned by French media giant Vivendi, was the first major record label to strike an agreement with Microsoft Corp. to receive a fee for every Zune digital media player sold.

"It would be a nice idea. We have a negotiation coming up not too far. I don't see why we wouldn't do that... but maybe not in the same way," he told the Reuters Media Summit, when asked if Universal would negotiate a royalty fee for the iPod that would be similar to Microsoft's Zune.

"The Zune (deal) was an amazingly interesting exercise, to end up with a piece of technology," he added."

This story is a prime example of the way that media is colliding...I have written many blog entries about this type of thing. The Google and Youtube copyright infringements are directly related to this new development. Media is growing so fast, that everyone is jumping on board and attempting to take a piece of a bigger pie. My latest article about the Youtube and Google copyright infringment issues can be found here:

Google Copyright Infringement with Youtube

This is an update article; I have been following the issue for some time now, and you can find the other updates within the Archive.

The ipod and Zune are now becoming platforms with which to break new ground (and possibly laws) concerning the music distribution industry, and music industry as a whole. This is because now that the media has become so universal and interconnected, every aspect of the media has to cover their own A** when it comes to liability. An article I wrote about NBC developing their very own Ad Agency can be found here:

NBC Becomes an Ad Agency?

Hope you find this interesting, I know that I do! It really makes me want to try and predict the future of the Media industry and the possible lawsuits, mergers and deals that will come about in our near future.

Capella University: accredited online university

Whether you're going to back to school, just beginning your education or would like to further your knowledge in a specific subject area and have a diploma to show for it, Capella University is a commendable option. They are an accredited online university offering dgraduate degree programs in business, information technology, education, human services, and psychology, and bachelor's degree programs in business and information technology. Within those areas, Capella offers 76 graduate and undergraduate specializations and 16 certificate specializations.

Technology is moving so fast, and it's up to us to keep on board and utilize it through to it's full advantage. With an online University, like Capella, you can work, take care of your children, and still have time to come home and finish your college course work.

The online university currently serves 16,000 students from all 50 states and 63 countries. It is a national leader in online education, committed to providing quality academic excellence and ensuring the growth and prosperity of all of their students. It is a part of Capella Education Company and currently has headquarter in Minneapolis...But, no matter where your location is, you can still work towards and receive a degree through Capella using nothing more than your computer and internet access. For more information on the Online Course, please visit www.capella.edu or call 1-888-CAPELLA (227-3552).

Media's Collide: NBC T.V. Network--Brand New Ad Agency?

Recently there have been some attempts within the media industry to disguise ads and commercials through cleverly devised, interactive or media rich campaigns. For example, the "Brawny Man Academy" and "Meow Mix House" reality series. You can read more about that, "Media's Collide: Reality Television's Newest Segue"

But, for NBC, there's no skirting around the advertising interest, motives and dependency. They are not hiding anything, as they recently announced their own Advertising Agency, "NBC Universal Digital Studios." They are not only going to concentrate on the video medium, but also focus on mobile devices, websites, the sky is really the limit as far as advertising goes. At this day in age, the term, "Media" is becoming such a vast, muddy, mucky little term that I'm not really sure what it means. Website designers are not website designers, they are ad decorators, user psychologists. Writers are not longer writers, they are keyword scientists, Television networks are now Ad Agencies (Ad whores if you ask me...Well, if you can't beat 'em join 'em NBC must have thought.)



I say it in a negative way, but really it's just the future of media laying out the red carpet for all the new sparkling starlets of the industry. NBC is smart in that they are covering ground within the industry they are in (ahem...media...very broad here.) According to the article, Advertiser's are shaking at the conglomeration of talents. But, really, if there's money to be made in Advertising and NBC has the knowledge, talent and resources to provide the service, what took them so long to jump on board now? Funny quote from the writer, Jon Fine at the every end of his article,

"As for the ad agencies now feeling the tectonic plates rumble and the fear rising, well, nothing is stopping you guys from making like networks and creating your own programming, as some of the smart agencies have done for some time."

Check out the original article: NBC Breaks into the Ad Business

Print Media, Old Industry, New Money!

Just when you thought the days of print media were beginning to fade, well, us forward thinking at least, classic media lands a billion dollar deal and you realize that every medium has a home. And, while the big buzz is concentrated on the ginormous sea of internet technology (google, youtube, etc.) and their recent financial endeavors and achievements, there are even bigger deals landing hard and fast right on dry land...

"Biggest Consumer Deal of the Year"

Reader's digest sells for $1.61 billion dollars to an investor group within a private equity firm Ripplewood Holdings LLC. Reader's Digest was not for sale, but the group just worked out and this might prove a new direction for the already multi-faceted Reader's Digest which movesReader’s Digest, publisher of Reader’s Digest magazine and Everyday with Rachel Ray to a privately owned company.

This transaction might prove to help mold the company into a major player on and off the internet. According to Reed Phillips, managing partner of media investment banks, DeSilva & Phillips:

“It’s a good thing for a company like the digest because we’re going through this transformation with the Internet and you can go through it better as a privately owned company,” he said. “When you’re publicly owned, you have to have stable earnings from one quarter to the next. That can be hard when you’re trying to transform a business, which is what we’re seeing now with a company like Time Inc.”

Check out the article: Reader's Digest Agrees to be Sold in Biggest Consumer Deal of the Year

Ok, but we're not done. I have another transaction I would you to drool over.



Clear Channel Communications annouced Nov. 16 that it had agreed to sell to a private investor group at around $26.7 billion, including the repayment of their $8 billion debt.

"The media and entertainment company said the group, led by Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. and Bain Capital Partners, LLC, has agreed to pay Clear Channel shareholders $37.60 per share."

Clear Channel also announced on Nov. 16 that it's trying to sell 448 radio stations in selected small markets as well as its television broadcasting division.

Is this going to be the start of chain reactions, where investor groups purchase these well aged media companies, break them apart, and sell off their smaller little pieces? What's going on in the minds of those devious little investors?

Clear Channel isn't exactly what I would call "Old Media" in the same sense that I refer to the print industry. But, it is old as in aged, and it is not competing the internet market the way that I presume "new" media groups do.

Check out the original article: Clear Channel: New Money Flocks to Old Media

NOTE: Both of these "old media" companies are being bought out by private investor companies. Any theory there? Any other similar stories?

Make Money by Blogging with Blogitive

Article about the best new program online. Blogitive.com

Blogitive pays the blogger, website owner, content writer, etc. for every post that they write. This is by far one of the best opportunities for bloggers to make money off their blog instead of waiting patiently to monetize, affiliatize and advertise on their blog. The program makes it easy for any blogger to sign up and start making money of writing blog entries.

There aren’t many rules that apply to the program, but here are some basic guidelines:

It doesn't have to be an article or even very long...Actually it only needs to be at least 100 words. It also should contain the link specified in the instructions, and have at least two posts in between each blogitive post. You do have to be approved first, which isn't too difficult. And, after being approved, you're ready to go!

Blogitive is going to begin new programs for bloggers and writers to make money, including ghost writing opportunities and news headline ads being available to place right on your site. I’ve had tremendous ease with this program, and if their new programs are at all similar to their current offers, I would like to RSVP please!

Palestinian Terror Groups Obtain Cash Funds for the Release of Two Fox News Reporters

Why the Payout is a Formidable Catch-22

Two Fox News Reporters, Steve Centanni and Olaf Wiig, were released from being held hostage by Palestinian terror groups and security organizations in the Gaza Strip. The payout was $2 million in cash going towards the main Fatah in Gaza for Security Services. It hasn’t been confirmed as to whether or not Fox paid for their release, or other American Government Organizations did. Also, it is not determined as to whether or not the money paid to the Palestinian Groups will go towards aiding more terrorist attacks or possibly even more kidnappings.

According to the Article:

“The terror leader, from the Gaza-based Popular Resistance Committees, said his organization's share of the money was used to purchase weapons, which he said would be utilized ‘to hit the Zionists.’”

Zionists being a readily known term largely mis-used to describe Israelis practicing Judaism and living in Israel.

Centanni and Wiig were released in August, but not before the terror group released videos of the two reporters converting to Islam. Later, it was confirmed that they were forced to do so at gun point by the terror group holding them hostage.

The article uses evidence that the money will indeed go towards aiding more terror efforts in the area, by giving examples of the “terror leader” and his opinions, statements and thoughts. . Here’s where the Catch-22 comes in. Kind of a Machiavellian dilemma, where the question is asked, “Does the end justify the means?” With every precious human life being important, I believe that the ends are going to be disregarded here, and the concentration is on the two brave American Reporters for Fox News.

“‘We used 100 percent of the money for one precise goal – our war against the Zionists,’ the Committees leader said.

He said weapons purchased included rockets.

‘Regarding the others (the Dugmash clan of the Committees) who received the money, I can tell you one thing is very clear – this went also to be used against the Zionists. I can't say every cent went to buy bombs, maybe it also went to pay for salaries, smuggling, and buying shelter.’”

The article also assumes that Fox News paid for their release from their own pocket

It does assert that we aren’t sure of this, but it uses examples and facts to back up the assumption.

“A source at Fox told WND many parties were involved with the freedom of Centanni and Wiig, including the U.S. government, and that it was possible money was paid.

A State Department spokesman said his agency did not pay for the release of the Fox News employees. “

Read the entire article here: Fox News reporters
freed for $2 million
Terrorists used cash for arms to 'hit Zionists,'
payment said to encourage more abductions

MySpace, Social network, blog, Haven for all, especially convicted murderers!

Recently there has been an uproar regarding Myspace.com and their tolerance of prison inmates, murderers, and felons, even some on death row to create their very own MySpace profile and manage it with pictures, prison stories and day to day thoughts. There are at least thirty prisoners in Texas, on death row, with MySpace profiles.

Prisoners aren’t allowed internet access, but apparently their family and friends maintain their sites for them using letters that the inmates write, and pictures that the inmates send. Groups working with crime victims are appalled and have already requested that Murdoch (of News Corps—He owns MySpace if you didn’t already know this…) take the pages down.

MySpace, Murdoch, News Corps, haven’t responded yet to the pleas to remove these profiles, but I’m sure they’re just conducting a more thorough investigation to be sure. I’ll keep you updated once I stalk MySpace for these “so-called” inmates….Hey, maybe I’ll even send them a nice letter telling them how famous they are…Ya, know, on my blog and all…

Visit the original Article here: MySpace Attacked Over Death Row Diaries

Google Copyright Infringment Confirmed: At least one Lawsuit

Google's Video Inc. Company, recently purchased and renovated from Youtube.com has finally confirmed a lawsuit due to copyright infringement.

You can check out my recent posts regarding this pending issue that Google has been faced with due to it's purchase of Youtube.com here

Google's $1.65 Billion Purchase...High Risk Investment?

UPDATE: Google and Youtube.com face copyright infringement

So here is the latest, for all you nerds out there who follow this stuff like I do!

They've confirmed the lawsuit, and they're also facing a separate subpoena involved with the service. The lawsuit filed in France is asking for $193,000. Chump change for Pimp Daddy Google, but this might be the beginning of many more chump change charges that Google will be faced with.

According to Google spokesman Ricardo Reyes, "This is a small lawsuit over a single video that appeared briefly,"

Oh, Ricardo...You're dumbing it down, but we all know what this means. Every company in the World, every individual, all video distributors, makers, creators, will be checking Google Video Inc. to see if they can monetize off your new deal and all the money that comes with it, here the whole story:

Google's Video Service Faces Suite

Google's New Customizable Search Tools

Google has introduced a new facet of web search convenience within their search engine platform: Customizable Search Tools. Introduced to the public on Oct. 23, this internet phenomena will allow web publishers, web developers and web operators to enhance their web search by providing options to choose specific websites that the search engine can analyze. Here's how it works: there is a tracking system that will monitor the websites that you visit, how long you spent on these websites, how many pages you viewed from a particular domain, and what links you clicked on within the website. After this users will tailor their history so that it consists of only the websites they found particularly helpful, so next time they use the search engine, only the sites they chose are going to be analyzed. Search customization is not a brand new idea as sites like Eurekster are using customization options within their search engines. But, with Google jumping the bandwagon, it is definitely going to have more of an effect on user experience and the way we think about website promotion, marketing and optimization.

By allowing site developers to choose websites that they know are reliable and pertinent, this Google search engine model will not bring up sites that offer less relevant information, regardless of the keyword density or popularity. The operator can use their own knowledge and research to choose the best available websites for their target audience and topic. In addition to site choice, it also allows priority filtering so that some of the chosen websites will receive higher credibility within the search results than others. The options are going to be available to all google search users, not just the web operators/developers, so that viewers can hand select websites and filter options that coincide with the information they are searching for via the web.

Google made a great leap into the idea of user customization for search results. It will certainly provide them with a competitive edge (not that Google needed it!) But, what does this mean for the future of web marketing and web promotion? Those who felt the ease and ability to get your website ranked just by coughing up some cash, and hiring specialists, might be in for a wake up call; Google's “customized search” has hit the ground, and time will tell how fast it’s running.

Web marketing has evolved in many ways, and over many years; by adjusting with the growing popularity of internet businesses, advertising on the web, and the abundance of users who frequent community websites such as Myspace.com and Facebook.com. Information on how to promote websites is widely available and used by anyone who owns real estate on the internet. This has led to the demoralization of search engines; site owners with enough money can promote using Google Adwords, and even if the information on their website is not as viable as other web sources, they might be higher up in the search results. Sites like Digg.com and Blinkit.com are also used to promote search results and click ratings. Google uses a specific formula to analyze website traffic, the amount of clicks and visits a site gets, the amount of links pointing to the site, the amount of relevant and highly regarded links on the site, keyword density and much more.
Google's pagerank formula looks something like this:

PR(A) = (1-d) + d(PR(t1)/C(t1) + ... + PR(tn)/C(tn))

An explanation of google's page rank formula

Web marketers analyze these formulas so that they can gain every inch of availability and recognition on the search engines. But, reverse engineering of the Google formula, has led to less reliable search engine results.

Marketing for search engines (SEO) is not the only way to promote a website. But, it is by the far the most effective. Even when individuals utilize E-zines, bookmark sites, or other content specific link initiatives, the purpose is mostly to attract the search engines with more outside links. They do provide some traffic due to readership and viewers, but this boost is merely a drop of rain on the ocean to the traffic that popular search engines like Google and Yahoo provide.

It is more difficult to sell your website to a person than simply to adhere to a pagerank formula . Those choosing the custom options will evaluate your site, and decide if it’s worth their search results. In the future, keyword density might not even matter! Information, relevance, raw entertainment, cold hard facts: these things will enhance your popularity among the “customized” searches. Call it what you want, disregard it as simply a new flavor of the Google smorgasbord. But, I see the evolution of web marketing, survival of the fittest, Darwin’s natural selection process evident in the world of the web.

Here are some tips to promote your site, without the help of SEO (search engine optimization.) Whether or not search customization materializes into the accepted method of searching while on the web, these tips are still very helpful.

1. Think of REAL marketing strategies. Forget what you’ve learned about web marketing, and focus on true blue people marketing techniques. Who is your target audience? Why should they find your site worth visiting? What SPECIFIC information are they looking for? Analyze the answers to these questions and adjust your website accordingly.

2. Easy and intuitive navigation. Many website developers/marketers sacrifice their user’s experience, so that “keywords” are in the right place, content is full of links, static, empty and consists of dysfunctional link navigation.



If a user cannot figure out HOW to find the info they’re looking for, and instead feel bombarded by useless content and links, they will not bother to come back to your site. Draft up some user tests, and have friends, colleagues or members of your target audience go on your website and answer the questions on usability. For ex.:

Question: Try to find information on “so-and-so.” How easy was it to attain this information? Did you get enough information regarding “so-and-so?”

You may need something more specific to your company, but here is a link to some information on conducting a usability test:

Article on one day usability test

3. Aesthetic appeal. This does not mean you need to higher a flash designer and artist to reinvent the Mona Lisa of all websites. In fact, the more simple and “clean” your site looks the better. Do some research on proper web color combinations, and make sure the text is easy to read, among other design techniques.

Here is a great resource for web color combinations:

Proper Web Color Combinations

4. Web 2.0. What is that you ask? It is becoming a new standard among web professionals, and is less a specific regime of task oriented procedures, and more a philosophy. It will attract users because it is a modern look at what good web design and usability really is, and provides insight as to promotion as well. The idea behind Web 2.0 still involves SEO, but focuses more on natural ways of achieving optimization.

Here is a link to a more specific definition:

Web 2.0-Oreilly definition

Here is a link to a more executive route to achieving Web 2.0 standards

Web 2.0 methods

Hopefully these tips are helpful, and again, only time will tell how SEO will evolve to please customizable searches.