Dorian Benkoil › Comments

"Fred, I actually see the market splitting into two: the commoditized inventory, for which prices are continually pressured downward as you note; and the "premium" spots -- those with some unique value, such as content that can't be had elsewhere. Consider, for example, a 20- 30- or 60-minute video that people will sit and watch even if interrupted by (a reasonable number of relevant) ads, so compelling is the material. True, the advertiser can reach those people other ways, but within that programming only via ads placed in that specific video stream. I can envision an analogy for particular Twitterers, Tumblrers (word?), etc. There's only one Shaq, one Steve Martin, one Fred Wilson, etc." - Dorian Benkoil

"I too am surprised Quantcast hasn't gotten more traction. Show's that a tech solution isn't necessarily what it takes -- marketing and share of voice also matter. Now that comScore has chosen to map cookies and panels, they can claim to give data that's similar to Quantcast's in statistical validity. One takes hold so it, at least, appears to be an apples-to-applies comparison. Everyone knows for TV that Nielsen isn't "just so," but they still use it because it's agreed on as the de facto standard. PS It comes down largely to scale: who has the most direct measurement. If Quantcast tags aren't on enough sites, Quantcast loses. PPS All the services are inaccurate and disagree with teach other. Quantcast, Nielsen and comScore often fail to match. Google Analytics, using a different methodology, also diverges. The challenge is to understand the skew or prejudices of each and work with them in the context of a given property or properties." - Dorian Benkoil

"Fred, it's wonderful to start to get a picture of who's consuming on what screens. It is, though, important to understand the limits and that the experience of how media are consumed can be quite different from the ways in which they are measured. I've responded at some length on MediaFlect http://teemi.us/UfSZqp. In a nutshell: measurement chases consumption habits but will never quite get there as we increasingly personalize. There are challenges here which also spell opportunity for entrepreneurs." - Dorian Benkoil

"They need to put a lot on TweetDeck -- others (including Hootsuite) are starting to leapfrog." - Dorian Benkoil

"Yes!" - Dorian Benkoil

"Same here: jarred me on the iPad, but find it useful. Will figure out at some point how to make the app come up on my stream, rather than "discover"." - Dorian Benkoil

"1. Access measured through HTTP means "we don't know"? Or what? 2. Wait 'til HBO is able (3-5 years?) to go it alone w/out consumers having to also have an HBO subscription through their MSO. We'll see a shift. 3. I wouldn't count Amazon out --> They are building, as you note, and it's a long-term game. They now have mostly an overlapping selection w/ Netflix. But that may change." - Dorian Benkoil

"Peter, on HBO, yes, it makes sense, but I'm told by industry insiders that cable channels' contracts will keep them from going direct to consumer for 5 or more years. Don't know the specifics on HBO, but we can imagine some heavy negotiating if HBO is going to try to end-run the MSOs." - Dorian Benkoil

"I have both seen untruths, and sometimes (unintentionally) written them -- usually due to my lack of full understanding, or someone successfully steering me wrong; I try to suppress any urges to take a swipe, but it's up to others to decide if I do it right. Still, I would say that, over time, portrayals created through a swathe of reliable coverage in multiple outlets tend to paint a reliable picture; generally accurate, even if not in all instances. In other words, if originally reported story after originally reported story characterizes someone or some organization in a certain way, and there are multiple examples, you can start to believe they're onto something. Our free press is emphatically not accurate in every minute instance (just look at the number of corrections run in the Times, for example), but it does tend to trend toward right over time." - Dorian Benkoil

"Really? You simply emailed Amex concierge and they sent you a spreadsheet with all those names of newspaper editors? They looked through Craigslist and found a bike that matched your parameters? Found basketball camps? And son? They'll do this for anyone, much like a personal assistant? Seems too good to be true ... and you know what they say..." - Dorian Benkoil

"Drive has greater promise, but today Dropbox does it for me. I can very easily store and share,drag things in and sync easily -- the thought process (for me, an assistant, clients, others) is so minimal with Dropbox as to make it not even a thought process. Drive, on the other hand, like some other Google products, takes longer to figure out and is harder to use for many." - Dorian Benkoil

"I need a ride, or could share a car rental if someone wants to chip in from Berkeley area. (Have been asking individuals, but thought I'd post here.) You can also Tweet to me @dbenk." - Dorian Benkoil

"Does your oakland ride have another seat?" - Dorian Benkoil

"OK, thanks." - Dorian Benkoil

"Marti, Do you still have room?" - Dorian Benkoil

"Suzanne, do you have another spot? I just found out I need a lift. I'm in Berkeley, at the Durant, here for PBS Mediashift" - Dorian Benkoil

"Frances, do you still have room?" - Dorian Benkoil

"Jrue,.do you still have space? I need a lift from Berkeley." - Dorian Benkoil

"There's an easy case to make that BBH Labs' "homeless hotspot" initiative raised awareness of the homeless. For simple evidence: When else on The MediatTwits, or all of PBS MediaShift, have homeless been discussed? (Clicking the "homeless" tag above this story you'll get the obvious answer.)" - Dorian Benkoil

"EyeTV is definitely one of the best antenna-plus-DVR packages available for Mac (and I believe some use them on other OS' as well). That said, they're not the only one and if you hunt around you can find other ways to get over-the-air programming to your computer at a much lower cost, albeit with less convenience, and the need for more technical savvy." - Dorian Benkoil

"I hear you but that can conflict with the financial modeling, assuming new efficiencies, that often accompanies a strategic buy that incorporates the acquired business into the purchaser's.. It's hard in that scenarioto leave the acquired business alone." - Dorian Benkoil

"OK, here's what strikes me: the JR on Facebook is the logo for Japan Railways. http://media.nowpublic.net/ima..." - Dorian Benkoil

"Fred, VCs often achieve their returns via a strategic investor buying the company. You're essentially telling those investors to buy the service, but then let it be. Is that the main key to successful strategic acquisition, or do you have other pointers? What proactive steps can strategic investors make to best integrate a company they've acquired?" - Dorian Benkoil

"So is it ITFF, IFTT, or what's linked to: IFTTT.com (which is what looks like the correct one)? thanks," - Dorian Benkoil

"That is, in fact, a great tip. Offering the service within the existing means of communication even as you build a new platform/mode/pathway." - Dorian Benkoil

"Bozo provided a useful service. Satirists and comedians touch a nerve. I would hazard that Bozo was quite successful." - Dorian Benkoil

"Love it. More thoughts at mediaflect.com." - Dorian Benkoil

"Provocative and persuasive." - Dorian Benkoil

"A shout out from the east coast -- I was going nuts in my bedroom in NY! (Stanford '82 and a friend since Stanford  of Ryan's dad )." - Dorian Benkoil

"Thanks. I'd love to know examples you've seen where this type of cultural disruption is investable, as you say." - Dorian Benkoil