Agencies and New Media

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Permalink Reply by Tim from Radio Clash on March 6, 2008 at 23:43

Working with marketing/Ad agencies usually developing/designing new media, I'd say no.

Far too often the above the line TV/press ads are just replicated onto the web, and the ideas don't usually get further than interactive banner ad - sometimes the client, a lot of the time it's lack of technical knowledge and imagination on part of the executives/project managers.

They also rarely understand niches.

And I would advise them but they laugh at my radical suggestions - I am a lowly temp LOL. Just one with rather more experience and ideas than most...but then again I'm not paid for that ;-)

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Permalink Reply by paul nicholls on March 12, 2008 at 17:48

The question was being asked in December 2004 - and at podcastcon 2005 / 2006 and podcamp 2007.

I think I'm right in saying "no" in the main to your question. Traditional media style advertising is rubbish in new media terms. People are sick of ads, so to force more down their throat will completely turn them away, particularly if there are podcasts out there that aren't forcing product. People whining about being paid for their efforts are even worse, and most of the independents that have done that have seen huge swinges in their audiences.

Putting an annoying generic ad at the start of your podcast, or having a US 1950's host style promo or creating podcast talky bits around such inane products as Vodka, toilet paper or Sweeteners have been done to death.... I hate the inclusion of these intrusive ads. I've stopped listening to half a dozen podcasts for this reason and know others have followed suit too.

There have been some good sponsorships in New Media that have been a little smarter than the obvious add insertion to Joe Public, but these seem to be the exception rather than the rule.

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Permalink Reply by Tim from Radio Clash on March 13, 2008 at 13:56

People whining about being paid for their efforts are even worse, and most of the independents that have done that have seen huge swinges in their audiences.

I have less problem with this now - 3 1/2 years (nearly) of podcasting does that to you.

Not saying I want to sell out, but if you can get paid and keep your independence and integrity, more power to you. It's a long, long, long haul and sometimes even I take stock and wonder WTF I am doing, because I've spent 100s of pounds and hours and got not very much back - not that you expect that, but it would be nice...

I think to expect free content without either giving time, love or money is stupid. People like that will be surprised someday when all the 'free' casts are gone, to them I say: don't take 'em for granted that they'll be there for your entertainment forever, and just for 'you'. It seems a lot of people do...

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