Digital Hollywood was a gathering in Los Angeles of execs from across the film, TV and digital media spectrums – over the course of four days it explored the changing nature of the broadcasting landscape and the relationship with, and engagement of, audiences – including social media, second screen, mobile and connected distribution.
Despite being the explicit subject of only one session, the issue of data ownership and privacy was a constant theme – and one of particular interest when contrasting the differences in US and UK/EU law.
The position of most US firms was nicely encapsulated by one producer when talking about free social media apps: “if you aren’t buying you have to accept that you are being sold”. In the eyes of these businesses the capture of your personal usage patterns and data allows them to provide you with a more targeted service and better data analytics, which crucially they can then sell on to advertisers – it is an “entitlement” and core to the business model.
The cracks in this methodology have started to appear as the public wake up to what they have signed up to by blindly ticking the T&C’s box – and a perceived gap in transparency makes them feel exploited, with Google and Facebook both high profile victims of this type of push back.
Part of the problem was highlighted when I asked a panel exactly this cultural question, the response can be paraphrased as “we’re already being monitored in a million ways, get used to it”. US politicians (objects of derision by a US digital audience for the SOPA/PIPA debacle) have now started to agitate in this gap of either understanding or transparency, depending on your point of view, with MySpace as a latest target to explain company data practices.
In this debate the necessity within UK/ EU law of a requirement for users to “opt in” to allow apps and online sites to track their data is seen as a serious threat to business efficiency by the US media and is repeatedly raised as a key issue in conversations on European expansions.
Yet the rise of social media and second screen engagement continues inexorably (the stat quoted here was of 36% audiences using another device whilst watching TV) and on top of Twitter and Facebook a next generation of social tools is building. As the digital exec in charge of cult US indie TV hit Portlandia admitted, it’s difficult to predict or understand but vital to profile and audience engagement – citing a quadrupling of their Facebook impacts between series 1 & 2 as clearly a contributor to the breakthrough of the show.
And this ability to create a dialogue and engagement with audiences across multiple touchpoints is seen as crucial in achieving successful engagement in the “war for attention” in a media fragmented world. The social channels were nicely described as below:
Twitter = an echo chamber, news not dialogue
Facebook = better at dialogue, question & response
Pinterest = great engagement for the right content
Other US apps which are rapidly growing in this space include StumbleUpon, up to 25 million users on this recommendation engine, and Get Glue, a “check in” platform for entertainment.
More sophisticated again is Intonow (recently purchased by Yahoo). This app uses audio recognition to listen to what you are watching and then deliver synchronized additional content to your phone or tablet. It has been widely used by brands in tandem with screened advertisements –for example during this year’s Superbowl. UK audio recognition app Shazam is also adding this functionality and the first Shazam enabled ads have just aired on ITV.
So an interesting and still very fluid space, as data analysis and innovation in business models try to second guess the unpredictability of the connected audience – an audience which is getting wiser to the fact that understanding their choices and behaviour has an economic value.
Savvy customers are increasingly taking to Twitter and Facebook and shunning long call centre waiting times to get 'VIP' treatment in sorting out their problems.
Ukraine is not in the EU and those out for the tournament could end up with a shock bill costing 11 times more than a ticket to the final, if they call, text and surf the web as if they were at home.
Rebecca McKeown's manslaughter trial is told the doctor who examined the disabled teenager may have withheld details of a medical examination to protect her professional reputation.
Rebecca McKeown's manslaughter trial is told the doctor who examined the disabled teenager may have withheld details of a medical examination to protect her professional reputation.
Six wannabe coppers meet the world’s oldest police force…their mission…to complete a unique training course…but are these cadets tough enough to cut it in the Met?!
This fly-on-the-wall series follows police officers across the country from inner cities to country beats to show what the police come up against every day.
Six wannabe coppers meet the world’s oldest police force…their mission…to complete a unique training course…but are these cadets tough enough to cut it in the Met?!
Waste company 'bullying clients' - A waste company stands accused of bullying small businesses by using unfair contracts to ramp up charges, the BBC has learned. [BBC Business]
Greece unity talks hit stalemate - The latest attempts to form a Greek government are said to be deadlocked, raising the prospect of fresh elections and more eurozone uncertainty. [BBC Business]
Google brings instant answers to search results - Type in 'Mona Lisa', and a biography appears right on the page (on the right hand side), type in 'Leonardo DiCaprio' and you get a list of his films, and suggested related searches. [Daily Mail IT]
Sixth of cancers due to infection - One in six cancers - two million a year globally - are caused by largely treatable or preventable infections, new estimates suggest. [BBC Health]
New car sales rise 3.3% in April - New car sales in the UK rose to 142,322 in April, up 3.3% from a year earlier, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders says. [BBC Business]
Refund concerns for scam victims - Refunds and discounts should be easier to claim by consumers who have suffered from aggressive sales techniques, Law Commissions say. [Business]
'Top up' in case of strike - PM - Motorists should top up their tanks in case a strike by fuel tanker drivers goes ahead but there is no need to queue, the PM says. [Business]
Luton airport planning expansion - Plans to increase annual passenger capacity to 18 million at London Luton Airport and create 6,000 new jobs are revealed. [Business]
Plans to use private firms in police roles in Surrey are put on hold, as West Midlands Police says it will ask the police authority for "a revision to the process".
Rebecca McKeown's manslaughter trial is told the doctor who examined the disabled teenager may have withheld details of a medical examination to protect her professional reputation.
The first 2 streetlights in Knole Road on post numbers AKCW012 and AKCW011 are constantly turning on and off throughout the night. Could these please be fixed.
Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by Bing Maps): 63 Knole Road, Dartford
Report on FixMyStreet
There is a very large pothole near the traffic light junction on Darenth Road. Could this please be filled in.
Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by Bing Maps): Dartford
Report on FixMyStreet
Pothole on eastbound carriageway
Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by Bing Maps): Langton Road, Rusthall
Report on FixMyStreet
Pothole on eastbound carriageway adjacent to service cover - also road has series of ridges and a further hole
Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by Bing Maps): Langton Road, Rusthall
Report on FixMyStreet
Hole in westbound carriageway just past bend
Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by Bing Maps): Ashurst Road, Tunbridge Wells
Report on FixMyStreet
Three holes in main road at crossroads - one hole is adjacent to manhole / service cover
Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by Bing Maps): A264, Langton Green
Report on FixMyStreet
Hole surrounding manhole / service cover
Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by Bing Maps): Bishops Down, Tunbridge Wells
Report on FixMyStreet
The street light located outside No 2 Downs Avenue is not working.
Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by Bing Maps): 4 Downs Avenue, Whitstable
Report on FixMyStreet
Both ends of the footbridge over the railway between St Mildreds School and the Cinder path are thick with litter, mud and other mess and the bushes around the path are severley overgrown - this is a well used path on the school run and the kids are getting filthy - could the towns fantastic cleaners be directed to it please.
Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by Bing Maps): Cinder Path, Broadstairs
Report on FixMyStreet
Middle of road - hazardous
Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by Bing Maps): Trinity Square, Margate
Report on FixMyStreet
There is a pothole on Princes Road as you are heading down towards Dartford, not far from the speed camera. Could this be filled in. Thanks
Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by Bing Maps): Princes Road, Dartford
Report on FixMyStreet
When it rains the road floods at this location. This is due to the bund that was constructed last year not having an opening to allow road surface water to drain away.
Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by Bing Maps): Lucks Hill, West Malling
Report on FixMyStreet
Potholes on side of road
Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by Bing Maps): Lucks Hill, West Malling
Report on FixMyStreet
This illuminated bollard by the traffic lights has been missing for some time. Could it please be replaced.
Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by Bing Maps): Heath Lane Upper, Dartford
Report on FixMyStreet
This house has been empty for about 7 years, with scaffolding around it and it is deteriorating - and there are also vans constantly parked outside. Surely Iain Cobby should get onto this and make the owner restore the house to a state that is in keeping with the rest of the road.
Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by Bing Maps): 39 Castle Road, Hythe
Report on FixMyStreet
The centre f the road has "split", and as cars are always parked here,it's very dangerous as a cyclist passing the cars, as the wheels can be trapped in the groove with motor vehicles coming up behind.
Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by Bing Maps): St Andrews Road, Littlestone on Sea
Report on FixMyStreet
Several small potholes outside 8 Harrow Road, Knockholt, Kent TN14 7JT
Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by Bing Maps): 6 Harrow Road, Knockholt
Report on FixMyStreet
The light outside 81, Alkham Rd is not working at all. Thank you for your help!
Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by Bing Maps): 85 Alkham Road, Maidstone
Report on FixMyStreet
Recently two large families have moved into the street. Both Mothers allow their children to play in the street unsupervised. Most of the children are aged 5-7 however, I have spotted a couple that couldn't be any older than 3. These children make a lot of noise throughout the day and occasionally play in the road obstructing vehicles at times. Their parents are almost never watching them and will curse and shout when they want their attention. Please notify the parents that they should watch over their younger children whilst roaming the streets.
Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by Bing Maps): 44 Packham Road, Gravesend
Report on FixMyStreet
X2 potholes, mud on road & flooding
Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by Bing Maps): Pikey Lane, West Malling
Report on FixMyStreet
Becky Edwards from Cannock, Staffordshire, was so humiliated by her mishap that it forced her to change her unhealthy lifestyle - and lose more than half her body weight.
Shadows on the ground will also turn into crescents and 'rings' of light as moon covers as much as 94% of the sun this Sunday in parts of the U.S. and Asia.
Focus groups will be set up with customers to review current service delivery and potential improvements.
The information gathered from these groups will be used by staff as part of the Insight to Innovation programme.
The impact of existing barriers on disabled people and users ideas and suggestions of how barriers can be overcome or problems rectified. The information will be used to inform future designs of buildings.