But in the meantime, there’s something for everyone online. Tonight, Spin Magazine continues [...]]]> Seeing a trend here? Suddenly it seems like everybody wants a part of the concert streaming game. Still, I’m waiting to see when smaller touring acts start using it as more of a promotional tool for building and maintaining a fan base.

But in the meantime, there’s something for everyone online. Tonight, Spin Magazine continues their 5 night celebration of their 25th Anniversary with a show from The National, live from Terminal 5 (maybe I’ll head over there). The previous three nights featured live streams from Smashing Pumpkins, The Flaming Lips, and The Black Keys. They wrap up the party tomorrow with a show from Spiritualized.

American Express is the series sponsor, promoting their Zync card. So far, they’ve scored 102,000 “Likes” on Facebook, which is the gateway to the content. Eagerly awaiting data on total and concurrent streams.

Follow the fun on Twitter, too, at #ZyncSpin25. Rock on.

Pay-Pay-View events, like the UFC’s, have traditionally been high priced affairs that attract a loyal fanbase, but limits the appeal to [...]]]> Back in March, live streaming provider Livestream issued a zero-tolerance policy in an open letter to the industry. The Ultimate Fighting Championships wishes that other streaming platforms offered the same assurances right about now.

Pay-Pay-View events, like the UFC’s, have traditionally been high priced affairs that attract a loyal fanbase, but limits the appeal to more mainstream audiences. However, thats no reason for platforms like UStream or Justin.TV to defend their users who participate in copyright infringing activities.

With the increased ease of creating your own personal video stream, content owners and event producers are facing an increased challenge to their business models. To that end, the UFC is suing Justin.TV and UStream to provide the IP addresses and data on users who made streams of their event available for free, circumventing the $50 charge to legally get the event.

Just like Viacom suing YouTube over their copyrights, we can expect an increase in legal activity like this as entertainment companies attempt to protect their new models, such as live streaming concerts. Unfortunately, just like illegal downloading of music and movies, the industry is a few steps behind the technology and its early adopters who have come to expect that nearly any live event can be found – albeit at a shitty quality – for free on either of the streaming platforms.

We continue to support copyright holders in all of their causes. Technology providers and users alike need to step up to the plate and defend the rights of users as well as content owners in search of a sustainable business model as we continue to turn the old ones upside down and shake every last penny out of their pockets.

To that end, VEVO and YouTube, with sponsorship from American Express, are launching an online concert series called “Unstaged.” The first show under the moniker will be Arcade Fire, which will stream their Aug. 5 concert from Madison Square Garden live. [...]]]> The music industry is slowly reinventing itself with a heavy emphasis on live performances.

To that end, VEVO and YouTube, with sponsorship from American Express, are launching an online concert series called “Unstaged.” The first show under the moniker will be Arcade Fire, which will stream their Aug. 5 concert from Madison Square Garden live. John Legend and The Roots are also slated for live streams, as well as two more yet-to-be-named shows.

According to the AP, the series is planning interactive features like a choice of camera angles, one to be controlled by an as-yet-to-be-named director and another that a user can choose.

The live concert experience is one that we’ve been pretty hot for at OVW. For me personally, I reported on my own watershed moment when live concert streams finally reached a high enough quality to be enjoyed on a big screen in the living room: a live Trey Anastasio Band concert powered by iClips.net. iClips has been dominant in the jamband scene and on the festival circuit, producing streams for Rothbury Music Festival and Austin City Limits Festival, as well as shows from moe., String Cheese Incident, Umphrey’s McGee and Drive-by Truckers.

Last year, The Allman Brothers launched Moogis, their own live streaming service, powered by OrchardTV.

Innovid is the leader in interactive video advertising technology, offering advertisers, publishers and web surfers the most engaging, interactive and effective in-stream ad unit – the iRoll ™ Already recognized by The World Economic Forum and Time Magazine as “Technology That Will Change Your Life,” Innovid is growing at [...]]]> Innovid: Sales Account Executive (NY)

Innovid is the leader in interactive video advertising technology, offering advertisers, publishers and web surfers the most engaging, interactive and effective in-stream ad unit – the iRoll ™ Already recognized by The World Economic Forum and Time Magazine as “Technology That Will Change Your Life,” Innovid is growing at a torrential pace, and is seeking employees who will accept nothing less.

Innovid provides a seamless integration between videos, embedded images and interactive features, empowering today’s marketers to engage their audiences more deeply than ever before. Our clients include the world’s biggest brands, forward thinking ad agencies, and publishers of the most popular content on the Web including NBC, MTV, National Geographic, Food Network, iVillage and more. If you are a motivated, energetic, organized sales executive with contacts at agencies and clients alike, we want to talk to you.

Location: New York

Job Description:

The Account Executive (AE) will be a key member of our sales team, working closely with Account Managers to achieve client solutions and expectations. The AE will have experience in interactive media and/or technology solution sales and should be able to clearly articulate Innovid’s products and services to clients. The AE will be able to generate and qualify leads, make targeted sales presentations, negotiate contracts and close deals. Maintaining solid customer relationships and providing outstanding customer service is a must.

Job Responsibilities:
• Identify and qualify prospective clients and initiate contact
• Schedule sales meetings and present Innovid solutions
• Review, negotiate, and close contracts and opportunities
• Maintain and build revenue building relationships
• Meet quarterly sales goals
• Client communication and follow-up
• Work at a partnership/consultative level with both direct brand and advertising agency clients
• Work closely with internal teams to ensure client satisfaction

Experience
• At least 2 – 3 years online experience with a focus on sales/account management; preferably online video and display
• Understanding of online advertising processes & cycles
• A demonstrated ability to work competently under pressure, within tight deadlines, with little direction
• Ability to manage multiple accounts and projects concurrently
• Should possess strong interest in technical backend and analytics
• Strong Computer Skills and technical understanding
• Experience with HTML, JavaScript, Rich Media, Photoshop and Illustrator (huge plus)
• Exceptional written & verbal communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Highly organized, extremely detail-oriented, and ability to multi-task

Education
• BA/BS or equivalent degree in marketing or business.

Additional
• Travel to meet with clients and sales prospects

CONTACT:
Corey Kronengold
corey@innovid.com

Specifically what I’m referring to is the tendency for two sites which I visit regularly ESPN and CNN [...]]]> Sure, this is an online video blog. But I’m getting tired of media outlets that force video on me when what I really want is a quick article that allows me to get the information on my terms.

Specifically what I’m referring to is the tendency for two sites which I visit regularly ESPN and CNN to include video only links in their top stories:

The advantage of video for the news site is that it gives these sites the ability to force a more profitable pre-roll ad on the viewer, delaying gratification for the user by 5 to 30 seconds (or even more).

There are some things which I would prefer video for, but in many places, media outlets are replacing journalism with short clips, some simply talking heads reading the story, for the sake of providing more online video inventory to advertisers. It provides a poor experience for the viewer and it’s lacking journalistically This is not what online video was intended to do.

Hulu Plus is offering “Over 120 seasons and 2,000 episodes of [...]]]> The summer doldrums seem to be a good time for Hulu to launch their subscription service, Hulu Plus. With few new episodes to stream for free, users will have to pony up the $10 to catch up on shows they’re late to the party for.

Hulu Plus is offering “Over 120 seasons and 2,000 episodes of rich library content.”

Subscribers can watch shows at 720p, and 480p for free.

I just re-added Hulu Desktop to my media center, having given up on it a while ago. Third-party integration with Windows Media Center makes it easy to switch between content you’ve already got and new content to stream.

Ben adds: The key differentiator here beyond more content seems to be the extension of Hulu to all screens which has historically been one of the major user complaints about the service. Because monetizing platforms like the iPad through advertising is more difficult than the web (where Hulu reportedly already gets higher CPMs than TV), the subscription model makes a lot of sense. That said, viewers will need wireless or 3G coverage to watch which will make it difficult to compete with iTunes downloads for quality of experience watching content on the go.