I had the opportunity to have dinner with the Senior Director of Global Content Operations for Napster. If you are not currently aware, Napster is now currently under the Best Buy umbrella, offering the ultimate digital music package, unlimited on-demand music streaming, via any PC or certain Internet connected TVs and home audio devices, as well as downloadable songs for one's permanent collection playable on any MP3 compatible device, including iPod®, iPhone®, and all music-enabled mobile phones.
She has been in the music digital distribution industry for over 12 years, starting at Universal Music Group as an associate director. She got involved in the industry because of the relationship she had with a friend who was currently doing the job she took over. She happened to be moving back into town as her friend was leaving and she very quickly adapted to the position, proving her leadership abilities, and succeeding in the role. With her current role at Napster, she is very involved with the future of digital distribution, helping set the tone for international laws and expectations. We discussed the opportunities that Napster currently presents with their streaming services and iTunes/Pandora similarities in platforms, which seems to provide a more affordable service on both fronts.
As I asked about the future of Napster and their digital content, we further entertained the digital distribution service, similar to Netflix, CinemaNow. CinemaNow is a digital entertainment service, also run by Best Buy, that offers instant access to an extensive library of premium video content for rental or purchase, including new release movies and TV shows, with no subscription required. Through the service, customers can seamlessly access content on a wide range of Internet-connected devices, including TVs, Blu-Ray Disc players and PCs from multiple manufacturers.
I then began to tell her about the research I am doing into video game digital distribution as well as my projections for how this service could be profitable. She suggested I talk with one of the analysts to get additional information about the licensing process and how things work for both Napster and CinemaNow to further understand the revenue stream.
Our relationship is only beginning and we plan to continue a monthly rhythm discussing the future of digital content, career development, and our personal lives. I am very grateful for the passion and intensity Jean has around solving for our customers and providing a complete solution for not just now, but also the future.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Harry Potter: A Life Changing Experience...
Harry Potter is certainly a hot topic across the world as the movie franchise has now released the final chapter in story. Fans dressed up as their favorite characters while others chose more "adult" versions of what you'd expect to see roaming the halls of Hogwarts. I do not consider myself an avid fan. In fact, it took me several years of nagging from my younger sister to even read one of the books in the series. That's all it took though. The first book had me pulled in and I knew I was ready to read the entire series. I read it in a different light though, seeing many of these characters already on the big screen, but aware of the way these stories impacted the lives of those around me.
My youngest sister had always been the "wild child." Taking what she wanted, requesting things others had only thought about, and truly coining my mom's phrase, "If you don't ask, you don't get."She was loud, and very easily misunderstood as she acted in the now. I was in high school and she was in middle when she dove so deep in love with the place where even the odd kids were accepted. Harry Potter got her through some of our darkest days as a family. I remember having to convince her that the way things had worked back in Iowa had nothing to do with her. I defended the idea that a chid should not be told what fiction is okay to read. Our imagination is what pushes us forward in technological advancements, helping us find cures to diseases, developing tools to make tasks more efficient and ultimately pushing the envelope of science and creativity. I know she continues to feel some guilt towards the outcomes, but it truly had nothing to do with her or her book choice.
In fact, it was this series that lead her to a group of friends as she started a new chapter of her life, high school in Colorado. She was given a chance to be herself for once. Not live in the shadow of me or her other older sister, but instead, she created her own path. She found her voice in writing fan fiction and drawing. She found her talent in singing and performance, which led her to Azusa Pacific University. Here, she discovered her own Hogwarts. Her bitterness and anger she seemed to store in high school began to fade away as she understood how accepted she is for being herself.
I know that with the close of the box office on this film, she sees a large piece of her life coming to a close. Yes, there is a theme park and a new online interactive experience soon, but nothing can change the connection she was able to make with Harry, Ron, Hermione and the rest of the gang. Just as these stories have changed the lives of the actors and actresses in the films, so have they changed the life of my little sister. As we have seen the visual effects develop, so have I seen my sister embrace who she is with confidence and grace. You didn't just impact my sister, you helped impact film.
Thank you J.K Rowling, for your imagination inspiring stories that didn't just touch the life of my sister, you helped shape her into the young woman she is now and I am grateful.
It's more than a successful franchise...
Mischief Managed
My youngest sister had always been the "wild child." Taking what she wanted, requesting things others had only thought about, and truly coining my mom's phrase, "If you don't ask, you don't get."She was loud, and very easily misunderstood as she acted in the now. I was in high school and she was in middle when she dove so deep in love with the place where even the odd kids were accepted. Harry Potter got her through some of our darkest days as a family. I remember having to convince her that the way things had worked back in Iowa had nothing to do with her. I defended the idea that a chid should not be told what fiction is okay to read. Our imagination is what pushes us forward in technological advancements, helping us find cures to diseases, developing tools to make tasks more efficient and ultimately pushing the envelope of science and creativity. I know she continues to feel some guilt towards the outcomes, but it truly had nothing to do with her or her book choice.
In fact, it was this series that lead her to a group of friends as she started a new chapter of her life, high school in Colorado. She was given a chance to be herself for once. Not live in the shadow of me or her other older sister, but instead, she created her own path. She found her voice in writing fan fiction and drawing. She found her talent in singing and performance, which led her to Azusa Pacific University. Here, she discovered her own Hogwarts. Her bitterness and anger she seemed to store in high school began to fade away as she understood how accepted she is for being herself.
I know that with the close of the box office on this film, she sees a large piece of her life coming to a close. Yes, there is a theme park and a new online interactive experience soon, but nothing can change the connection she was able to make with Harry, Ron, Hermione and the rest of the gang. Just as these stories have changed the lives of the actors and actresses in the films, so have they changed the life of my little sister. As we have seen the visual effects develop, so have I seen my sister embrace who she is with confidence and grace. You didn't just impact my sister, you helped impact film.
Thank you J.K Rowling, for your imagination inspiring stories that didn't just touch the life of my sister, you helped shape her into the young woman she is now and I am grateful.
It's more than a successful franchise...
Mischief Managed
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Interactive Storytelling
USAToday recently published an article from the associated press about how video games are changing. It’s becoming more than a means of entertainment, but also a place for visual and audio artists to display their work. As video games create more buzz with new technology, the article focuses on this art form luring in new audience members.
Now, video games are able to develop characters who evolve with the decisions made by the players. “It's an attempt to interest new customers and reverse a decline in video game sales as the maturing business fights for people's attention in the face of new devices such as the iPad.” (Ryan Nakashima, Associated Press) Players are now asked to make moral decisions, which shape the path or evolve the outcome of their game. Upcoming games such as Bioshock Infinite and Star Wars: The Old Republic tap into this vein.“With the recent Supreme Court decision protecting violent games as free speech, it's more appropriate than ever for games to have more of a message.”
The article also notes the drop in video game console sales since 2008, but we must also consider that fact that there as not been a new console out since then. Businessweek's video game industry blog posted an article; Spending on Gaming to Exceed $74 Billion in 2011,which differs from Associated Press's projection for the industry to by flat over last year with an expected increase of 10.4%. With rumors of a new XBOX system as well as Wii U and Sony’ enhancements to PS3, I would expect that we will see this number rise.
"From indie games to more mainstream offerings, in the next decade or so we are going to be seeing a greater diversity in subject matter," said Scott Steinberg, the chief executive of video game consulting company TechSavvy Global. "The selection of games will more closely resemble your selection of movies."
For this reason, I think it is even more important that we focus on the direction this technology is going. A-list actors, writers, and directors are increasingly participating in the industry, lending their voices, faces, and ideas to the medium. Understanding the needs of this audience helps us create the right product. By providing a streaming service for these games, we would be able to maximize the target audience and potential revenue growth for the industry, not to mention the advancements in audio and video quality as a streaming medium that would benefit even the independent film or video game maker.
Now, video games are able to develop characters who evolve with the decisions made by the players. “It's an attempt to interest new customers and reverse a decline in video game sales as the maturing business fights for people's attention in the face of new devices such as the iPad.” (Ryan Nakashima, Associated Press) Players are now asked to make moral decisions, which shape the path or evolve the outcome of their game. Upcoming games such as Bioshock Infinite and Star Wars: The Old Republic tap into this vein.“With the recent Supreme Court decision protecting violent games as free speech, it's more appropriate than ever for games to have more of a message.”
The article also notes the drop in video game console sales since 2008, but we must also consider that fact that there as not been a new console out since then. Businessweek's video game industry blog posted an article; Spending on Gaming to Exceed $74 Billion in 2011,which differs from Associated Press's projection for the industry to by flat over last year with an expected increase of 10.4%. With rumors of a new XBOX system as well as Wii U and Sony’ enhancements to PS3, I would expect that we will see this number rise.
"From indie games to more mainstream offerings, in the next decade or so we are going to be seeing a greater diversity in subject matter," said Scott Steinberg, the chief executive of video game consulting company TechSavvy Global. "The selection of games will more closely resemble your selection of movies."
For this reason, I think it is even more important that we focus on the direction this technology is going. A-list actors, writers, and directors are increasingly participating in the industry, lending their voices, faces, and ideas to the medium. Understanding the needs of this audience helps us create the right product. By providing a streaming service for these games, we would be able to maximize the target audience and potential revenue growth for the industry, not to mention the advancements in audio and video quality as a streaming medium that would benefit even the independent film or video game maker.
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