Giovanni's blog

Leaving Waco per Cliff ' s advice

Starbucks - Waco, TX

Sitting at Starbucks in Waco, Texas dealing with client "stuff" on my way to heckle Whurley at social media club austin tonight.

Leaving Waco per Cliff ' s advice

Ads on Video Clips at YouTube

as if we didn't expect this, video advertising is coming to YouTube. but it's not the typical pre-roll or post-roll we've come to expect. beginning today, YouTube is featuring semitransparent "overlay" ads at the bottom of selected video clips. The ad will be displayed for about 10 seconds if the viewer does nothing. If the viewer clicks on the overlay, the video will be paused and the full ad wiill be launched. YouTube s is trying to avoid pre-rolls like Revver, MSN, FoxNews, and The associated Press video news service uses. according to YouTube, internal tests show more than 70 percent of people give up when they see a pre-roll. by contrast, less than 10 percent decide to close an overlay, which they can exit by clicking on an "X" in a corner.

iJustine (Justine Ezarik) Moves a Mountain with Social Media

Justing Ezarik, Or "The Internet" as she's known to friends has moved a mountain with a video she created in a noisy Pittsburgh coffee shop that lasts just over 1 minute. You see, Justine received her first phone bill from aT&T for her new iPhone in the amount of $237.00! The bill included some set up fees and toll charges, but nevertheless, SHE WaS OUTRaGED! In no way did she expect to have such a large bill from the telecom giant for new apple gadget. No, that's not what happened... Here, this is what happened: Now, Justine L-O-V-E-S apple. She dreams of Steve Jobs and writes things like "Justine Jobs" and "iJustine" in her diary. She is happy with her service from at&t. She just thought it was VERY funny that she got a 300 page phone bill. Frankly, who wouldn't? Well, the dolts from aT&T media relations wouldn't. after Justine's video got airplay on no less than FoxNews, CNN, NPR and countless local television news and print outlets, I heard an interview with one communications rep from at&t being interviewed on NPR who was actually acting like everyone was making a big deal out of nothing. "We always have provided a very detailed billing for our customers. There's nothing new about this." Smart. You "get it" don't you, at&t cog. So on the way to the local coffee house today, about 1 week after Justine's video hit youtube, revver, viddler, et al, I get the following text message on my iPhone: "aT&T free msg: We are simplifying your paper bill, removing the itemized detail. To view all detail, go to att.com/mywireless. Still need the full paper bill? Call 611." Someone needs to buy Justine a coffee/beer the next time you see her. Well done, Internet. :-)

Mt. Rainier

giovanni gallucc

Mt. Rainier

giovanni gallucc

iPhone bill

iJustine - With One Reason Why Geeks are Sexy

iJustine (Justine Ezarik) with one reason why geeks are sexy. For more reasons why geeks are sexy, go to xTrain.com and download their free design and development video training classes!

MusicNet, DMX to Develop Digital Music Service

MusicNet, the music division of digital entertainment services provider MediaNet Digital, revealed yesterday that is partnering with commercial environment designer DMX to create a digital music service. MusicNet said the new product, called Sonic Tap, will consist of a subscription service and a download store. MusicNet explained that it will power the site by providing the audio and video content library, while DMX will develop a "sonic identity" for the brand. MusicNet is headquartered in austin, Texas. Its parent company, MediaNet Digital, is based in New York City and is owned by private equity firm baker Capital.