Online Video is Not a Stepping Stone
April 24, 2008 by Mike Abundo
Filed under Computers, Television
Fantastic thought from the ever-insightful Steve Bryant:
What does it even mean any more to say a talent goes from Web-to-TV, when that talent’s already an established name?
In one TV interview about online video, my words were brutally edited to make “pure” online video stars seem somehow less professional than mediocre Web-to-TV sellouts. Chalk it up to big media bias. I never post my TV interviews because I honestly don’t give a damn about TV. If you’re reading this blog, you’re probably watching less TV anyway.
As online video advertising revenue grows, online video is rapidly maturing as a possible standalone medium for stardom. As Christine “Happy Slip” Gambito notes, online video is not a stepping stone.
mike, i really want to hear your opinion on this. some viral videos are obviously fabricated by companies who hire people to do it.
can a company that specializes in outsourcing viral videos succeed?
i know your anwer — since you’re a purist. but to behonest, there could be a lot of money in it?
I think there’s money in building an authentic brand as a viral star (or group) first, then taking product placements. That’s what Nalts and TrueNuff do, and they get away with it. ;)
The company you propose can succeed if it’s built around a truly organic star (or group). An anonymous outsourcing house would run the very real risk of being found out. You don’t want to become the next Dan Ackerman Greenberg.