JOB WOES. DOES OBAMA STILL WANT THE JOB OF PRESIDENT? IS HILLARY CLINTON BETTER SUITED TO TAKE OVER?

JOB-HUNTING WOES. COULD BE WORSE – YOU COULD BE PRESIDENT OBAMA

JOBS, JOBS, JOBS…. wear are they? Total nonfarm payroll employment declined by 131,000 in July.

Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown. People who are going to be voting in this midterm cycle will probably wonder what if anything has changed. Wasn’t Change the whole premises upon which the Obama Administration rode to power on? Not that John McCain would have done any better – GOD! It most likely would have been a LOT worse.

But we’re still fighting in two wars, the drug violence and immigration problems on the Mexican Border are at this point OUT OF CONTROL, nothing has been done of any significance regarding Global Warming – and it goes on.

There was a time when you couldn’t turn on the television without seeing Obama. Now – I can’t turn on the television and see him. He’s on the Internet – that’s another issue – but he’s MIA on TV with the exception of people talking about him on the PBS Newshour or on the Sunday Morning Liar’s Club shows. Presidential Graying though – seems to be in effect just like George Bush Jr., and Clinton before him.

And then one says to themselves – why would anyone want the job of Governing.

What’s the incentive for the risks one takes and the toll on one’s health, mind and spirit. Obama so far doesn’t seem to be all the worse for wear. But constant dropping wears away a stone as they say – which is perhaps why we see him in his jubilant moments less and less. There’s nothing to celebrate! Everyone’s for hope and change. But, we as a people know that it’s all just rhetoric and that elections all seemingly boil down to a voter’s having to choose from the lesser of two evils. Or… not vote. Hmmmm….. there’s a concept. Such is the case in the Florida Gubernatorial Primary (see previous post on Rick Scott who held a slim 5 point lead a week ago and now “are about as close as they can be 45-44 in a virtual dead heat.” But don’t worry, neither Alex Sink nor Rick Scott will wear out their welcome. And truth be told, it’s better to wear out than to rust out as Rod Blagojevich.

But the wear and tear has to be taking it’s toll on Obama who certainly doesn’t appear to be wearing his presidential fingers to the bone – though he does wear heart on sleeve. He of course does need to wear more than one hat, commander of the military, social cheerleader, environmental advocate…. and the nation was ready to see him do it… but it’s wearing off as his approval rating is down to 45%.

Maybe he’s having a problem wearing the Presidential pants but regardless he’s worn out his welcome and we’re all the worse for wear. He to his credit has reached out to the right but apparently not enough. If he does decide to seek a second term, you can bet the gloves will come off. Which makes these mid-term elections all the more important regarding any mandate he has.

When we do see him like during his State of the Union Speech the other night, he looked worn and very much like he didn’t want to be there, playing out the string. I seriously question if he will run again. And at the same time, Hillary Clinton is making overtures that she’s tiring of the wear and tear, and traveling that being Secretary of State demands. Him, sounds like Hillary could take all that foreign diplomatic experience and kick back in the White House. One wonders if there was a deal to let Obama win the 2008 and run Clinton in 2012.

Regardless, I am convinced Barack Obama no longer wishes to be president.

So – Birth, School, Work, Death.

Here’s the original video by The Godfathers.

CLICK FOR DOES OBAMA STILL WANT THE JOB OF PRESIDENT? IS HILLARY CLINTON BETTER SUITED TO TAKE OVER?

Currently in Beta, SplashVideo.tv syndicates to 150 Viral Video and Social Media Sites as well as mobile content to 70 countries. A little about myself, I head the digital media and emerging technologies division of GCMP.tv. In addition to being a leading New York media strategist, Brian specializes in social commerce, webcasting, building your own network (BYON), ghostwriting and blogging. Brian McLane is an expert on Mobile Politics, and specializes in Live To Phone Technologies, mobile video and marketing strategies from his base in New York City. I am also an expert on webcasting and am frequently called upon to execute webcasts from in studio and remote locations. I am a leading New York Based Streaming Media Encoding Technician.

THE POLITICS OF MOBILE AND VIRAL VIDEO. IT’S TWILIGHT FOR AOL AND REEBOK AS THEY FOLLOW THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD – PART I

THE POLITICS OF MOBILE VIDEO. AOL TO FOLLOW THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD

This post is being written while I am in the Green Room at Fox News during a webcast of “The Strategy Room.” I saw in the (online) paper today a post about AOL having built, started, opened for business, an online destination for campaigns, advocacy groups, and companies interested in targeting constituencies online.

What like… um…. Facebook?

So far yawn, right? AOL? From the 90’s? Are we talking about THAT AOL? They’re dead right? Just like the Twilight Vampires…. they’re back.

The AOL Advertising Politics hub connects to Ad Desk for Politics and Display University,

Pause….

AOL Advertising? Display University?

I hate any online destination that brands itself with the designation “University.” But I guess desperate brands will try anything. A quick annecdote.

I worked for a…. Gulp…. Telemarketing (there I said it – can you handle the truth?), outfit named Sturner & Klein when I lived in Flagstaff Arizona back in the turn of the century. Sounds funny but we can say that.

My job was to call people who had recently disconnected, try to get as far into a script before the yelling would start. Then when it was my turn I would tell them how empathetic I was, how to resolve their technical issue by (90 percent of the time), deleting their temporary Internet files and their computers would run faster. And to demonstrate how badly AOL wanted the generally fuming customer back, I had been specially deputized and authorized to offer not one, but TWO free months if they would just give AOL another chance.

All they had to do was Follow The Yellow Brick Road. Follow The Yellow Brick Road? Yes, just Follow The Yellow Brick Road!

Of course, if the customer was peaved about AOL’s predatory billing practices… well, the chickens came home to roost.

I eventually was allowed to adopt an alias. One day, a guy I called said… “You know who you sound like…”

I paused… as if the jig was up.

“Uh… No…. I… Um…”

“You sound like Ray Suarez… From PBS.”

I’m LMAO

“Well I um… You see…”

“Is this Ray Suarez? I didn’t realize things had gotten so bad….?”

And a telemarketing legend was born. But in the end, in the words of the great Tantillo, People Buy Brands Not Companies, and there was nothing AOL, Time Warner, or even the great Ray Suarez could do to help the flailing AOL brand.

Now back to our story…

“….to educate and enable political marketers to more easily purchase display advertising.”

Political Marketers, Advertising, AOL… This doesn’t sound like Yellow Brick Road (Elton John), more like The Long Road To Ruin (Foo Fighters).

BUT, Rena Shapiro, recently joined AOL from Google, where she created their political team in 2007. Google can’t be bad right? Shows brains….

“As more campaigns and issue advocacy groups begin to understand the power of the Web, AOL’s original content and advertising technology puts us at the forefront of political online advertising,” said Shapiro, director of political and issue advocacy accounts.”

UGH. She’s right but has a long road and all the rhetoric still ain’t helping your brand. Where’s the Yellowbrick Road? Mobile Video? Viral Video – why the portal? AOL is dead right?

Hmmm, maybe it’s coming into focus and involves helping political mouseketeers using display advertising to help fund raise, build name recognition, organize their field operations, persuade voters, respond in real-time to negative press or competitive messaging, get out the vote, and educate voters about the issues relating to a campaign or cause.

AOL’s Ad Desk meanwhile is just another cloud type software bundle like “You’ve Got Pictures” that the great Ray Suarez, lol, used to sell from his cubicle in Flagstaff. Only this is for underdogs who don’t have a budget and don’t have a chance. Or don’t they?

Just ask Senator Scott Brown…. that’s REPUBLICAN Senator Scott Brown…. from Massachusetts no less.

Who traveled all the way down The Yellow Brick Road to Wins.

Here’s a rare clip of Elton John doing Yellow Brick Road on The Muppet Show. My cousin Keith Appell loves the Muppet Show. He just had a big campaign win in the Republican Primary in Florida.

This clip is dedicated to him.

THE POLITICS OF MOBILE AND VIRAL VIDEO - FOLLOW THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD

Tomorrow night – Part 2 – Integrating Mobile and Viral Video.

Currently in Beta, SplashVideo.tv syndicates to 150 Viral Video and Social Media Sites as well as mobile content to 70 countries. A little about myself, I head the digital media and emerging technologies division of GCMP.tv. In addition to being a leading New York media strategist, Brian specializes in social commerce, webcasting, building your own network (BYON), ghostwriting and blogging. Brian McLane is an expert on Mobile Politics, and specializes in Live To Phone Technologies, mobile video and marketing strategies from his base in New York City. I am also an expert on webcasting and am frequently called upon to execute webcasts from in studio and remote locations. I am a leading New York Based Streaming Media Encoding Technician.

TRUE BLOOD – NETWORKS GO FOR THE KILL WITH BLEED TO FEED STRATEGY AND TV EVERYWHERE

TV EVERYWHERE – BIG BOYS GO FOR THE KILL.

WHAT IS TV EVERYWHERE?

You got a TV. You got a Laptop. You Got a Mobile Phone…..

You got a cable service provider. You got an ISP (internet service provider). You got a mobile phone carrier.

See where I’m going with this?

Not yet?

Well, if you’re paying for content once…. why should you pay for it again, and again? In other words, let’s say you love… oh…. TRUE BLOOD on HBO (vampires are hot). Well, you’re paying for a premium channel. Fair enough. But, why should you pay for it online (or be forced to watch ads), or on your mobile phone – once mobile video is more accessible due to data offload capabilities.

Don’t get me started.

I was speaking at National Association of Broadcasters and got on the bus one morning and, using my keen eye, spotted a guy with a nametag that said Arts and Entertainment Networks.

“Is this seat taken?” I asked.

“No please.”

Without boring you with the short conversation – the ONLY reason this executive was there was to explore TV Anywhere opportunities.

That was it.

Now – this from one of my newsletters – VIDEONET.

“US satellite operator DISH Network has unveiled its new online TV Everywhere platform, offering existing customers the chance to watch the channels they subscribe to online, on-demand to their PC, or browse and order the latest movies online so they can be downloaded to their in-home DVR for playback on TV.
Sounds like Sling Box right?

To continue….

“Customers with DISH Network place-shifting capabilities using the ViP 922 DVR can also watch live content from the video portal.

DISH Network is billing the new platform, called DishOnline (www.dishonline.com) as the only online video portal with live TV integration. This statement refers to the ability to search for content related to a TV show and pull up related content including episodes currently playing that can be watched live, past episodes and special features and clips from the Web. DISHOnline.com will also list episodes recorded to the DVR, as well as upcoming episodes that customers can record with the click of a mouse.”

Like I said. Vampires are hot. And pretty soon, you’ll only have to pay to see their whole gory mystique once, not three times.

Now just a few hours ago – this release regarding CISCO.

“Cisco Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: CSCO) amped up its TV Everywhere strategy Thursday with a deal to buy ExtendMedia Inc. , a company that handles video and media management and publishing for Tier 1 carriers such as AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) and BCE Inc. (Bell Canada) (NYSE/Toronto: BCE). (See Cisco Buying ExtendMedia.)

Cisco intends to integrate ExtendMedia’s content management systems into its own IP video hardware and software, targeting carriers that want to extend video services to myriad devices, including TVs, PCs, smartphones, and tablets such as the popular iPad.”

Are you getting it now.

I’ve blogged many times about the future of TV, the integration of Social Media, Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), mobile video and so on.

Now, we’re really starting to get somewhere with convergence. Once 4G is truly, ubiquitously and nationally in place, look out – because of these two mediums.

The Handheld device (web-enabled cell phones) and remote streaming (i.e. the ability to stream through the air without connection to a landline.

Can you say STREAMAWARE? Well – as anyone knows when you’re remote streaming, IP addresses may change. That’s why they’re called “dynamic.”

Just like vampires.

And then there’s this Patent owned by a little company called StreamAware.

Open wide.

Here’s CC Adcock &The Lafayette Marquis playing BLEED TO FEED LIVE from someone’s cell phone.

TRUE BLOOD - NETWORKS GO FOR THE KILL WITH BLEED TO FEED STRATEGY AND TV EVERYWHERE

Currently in Beta, SplashVideo.tv syndicates to 150 Viral Video and Social Media Sites as well as mobile content to 70 countries. A little about myself, I head the digital media and emerging technologies division of GCMP.tv. In addition to being a leading New York media strategist, Brian specializes in social commerce, webcasting, building your own network (BYON), ghostwriting and blogging. Brian McLane is an expert on Mobile Politics, and specializes in Live To Phone Technologies, mobile video and marketing strategies from his base in New York City. I am also an expert on webcasting and am frequently called upon to execute webcasts from in studio and remote locations. I am a leading New York Based Streaming Media Encoding Technician.

GANG TECH – THE DARK SIDE OF FACEBOOK AND OTHER DIRTY TRICKS

I’ve blogged on Gang Stuff before (See Easter Night Gang Initiation in Times Square).

Here’s another one from the “What The Hell Is Going On Department.”

THE DARK SIDE OF FACEBOOK

A 69-name hit list posted on Facebook…. First of all – how does that even happen.

Are the lawyers already at it? I know in the past Craigslist has been brought to account for making it easy for gangs of thieves to post listings or reply to listings only to rip off and/or beat people. But a hit list?

Now – to be sure – this isn’t another Columbine, yet. It comes from a town in southwestern Colombia.

According to police officials, a criminal gang known as Los Rastrojos is behind it. We’ve talked about gangs and their use of social media. Here’s another one from my mom!!

While driving on a rural end of the roadway on the other day, she saw an infant carseat on the side of the road with a blanket draped over it. For whatever reason, she had the good fortune and common sense not to stop. All kinds of thoughts were running through her head. But when she got to her destination, she called the Police Department and they were going to check it out. But, this is what the Police advised even before they went out there to check….

“There are several things to be aware of … gangs and thieves are now plotting different ways to get people (mostly women) to stop their vehicle and get out of the car.

“There is a gang initiation reported by the local Police Department where gangs are placing a carseat by the road…with a fake baby in it…waiting for a woman, of course, to stop and check on the abandoned baby.

“Note that the location of this carseat is usually beside a wooded or grassy area and the person –woman– will be dragged into the woods, beaten and raped, and usually left for dead. If it’s a man, they’re usually beaten and robbed and maybe left for dead, too.

And now, I am passing this on to you.

DO NOT STOP FOR ANY REASON!!!

DIAL 9-1-1

AND REPORT WHAT YOU SAW, BUT DON’T EVEN SLOW DOWN.

“IF YOU ARE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND EGGS ARE THROWN AT YOUR WINDSHIELD, DO NOT STOP TO CHECK THE CAR , DO NOT OPERATE THE WIPER AND DO NOT SPRAY ANY WATER BECAUSE EGGS MIXED WITH WATER BECOME MILKY AND BLOCK YOUR VISION UP TO 92.5%, AND YOU ARE THEN FORCED TO STOP BESIDE THE ROAD AND BECOME A VICTIM OF THESE CRIMINALS.

THIS IS A NEW TECHNIQUE USED BY GANGS, SO PLEASE INFORM YOUR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES.

THESE ARE DESPERATE TIMES AND THESE ARE UNSAVORY INDIVIDUALS WHO WILL TAKE DESPERATE MEASURES TO GET WHAT THEY WANT.”

Please talk to your loved ones about this. This is a new tactic used. Please be safe.

Currently in Beta, SplashVideo.tv syndicates to 150 Viral Video and Social Media Sites as well as mobile content to 70 countries. A little about myself, I head the digital media and emerging technologies division of GCMP.tv. In addition to being a leading New York media strategist, Brian specializes in social commerce, webcasting, building your own network (BYON), ghostwriting and blogging. iProgram specializes in Live To Phone Technologies, mobile video and marketing strategies from its base in New York City. I am also an expert on webcasting and am frequently called upon to execute webcasts from in studio and remote locations. I am a leading New York Based Streaming Media Encoding Technician.

NEW MEDIA POLITICS – READY FOR THE BIG TIME. MOBILE POLITICS, SOCIAL MEDIA AND CAMPAIGNS

Or is it just a big show? This post will take a look at New Media Politics – Is it really Ready for the Big Time or do people “just want their MTV”. Mobile Politics, Social Media and Campaigns – we can learn from the past.

A man named W. PHILLIPS DAVISON who is a Professor of Journalism and Sociology at Columbia University published a paper on “The Third-Person Effect in Communication” for The American Association for Public Opinion Research. The premise was that “A person exposed to a persuasive communication in the mass media sees this as having a greater effect on others than on himself or herself…” Meaning that a communication leads to action not because of its impact on those to whom it is ostensibly directed, but because others (third persons) think that it will have an impact on its audience.

If Linda McMahon wins the Connecticut Senate Seat, she’ll join the ranks of Ronald Reagan, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jesse Ventura and Al Franken – to lay the political Smackdown on a media hungry society starved for entertainment, perhaps even more than solutions. Perhaps it’s because they can identify with and expect solutions to their problems more than the politicians who have come up through the party ranks.

And can you blame them. Look at Ross Perot, John Anderson (anyone remember him?), Howard Dean…. yes Howard Dean.

It is interesting to note that third party candidates are usually the innovators and are quickly taken over by the better funded establishment candidates. But it was Howard Dean who really got the online outreach started in his 2004 campaign. Well, you know what tanked that campaign right… Now Barack Obama, unquestionably, got it right – which is why he is in the White House now.

Let’s just say…. “WOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAA”

Now – in doing my research for this blog post, I (amazingly), can’t readily (keyword readily), find any book or publication save for one later published later than 2008 (ostensibly before Obama won the Presidency). It was an interesting by a fellow named Andrew Chadwick on the e-democracy movement and and his whole point was that (and now I’m quoting) there was a “general incredulity by most politicians, public servants and citizens.” I only think that the latter term (meaning citizens) only applies because of the half hearted use of new media by most politicians.

I looked up the following terms:
Facebook Politics
Political Campaigns 2010
Political Campaigns New Media
Politics New Media
Politics Social Media
Mobile Politics
Campaign Facebook Twitter Politics
Effectiveness of Social Media in Political Campaigns
Social Media Politics Effectiveness
New Politics

But just because you have a fan page on facebook doesn’t mean a campaign is effectively using new media. Which by the way, the terms doesn’t just mean getting on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube everyday and making as many friends as possible.

I blogged earlier on Newt Gingrich throwing down the gauntlet to the rest of the GOP. The “Old School” former Republican Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich has 1.3 million followers on Twitter. BUTTTT – we know know. His Political Brand if you listen to John Tantillo – and with whom I agree – is as a Divider not a Uniter. To quote Tantillo – he’s an idealogue with a niche – and will not – at least in this timeline unless the Borg show up from Star Trek, appeal to the masses.

According to a Congressional Research Service study 60 percent of the Capitol Hill Twitter-verse is composed of Republican members. Another recent study, “The Power of Twitter in Congress,” shows House Republicans sending close to five times as many tweets, or micro-messages, than their Democratic counterparts. In the Senate, Republican tweets outnumbered Democrats by a 35 percent margin.

Tweeting and Blogging – all VERY IMPORTANT and an integral component of a social media campaign. But Tweeting and Blogging is in general ONE WAY. The future of online content – and I’m not making this up – this comes from Olympus (i.e. the executives at GOOGLE when they were announcing the arrival of “TWAVING” – does anyone know what that is? – Google it and look for the video it’s fascinating). But bottom line – content will be comprised of the “3 P’s”.

Politics like social media, will by necessity have to become more personal, participatory and portable. But who was it that said – ALL POLITICS IS LOCAL? Think about the early days of democracy in Greece. Now think about the all important independent voter and the increasing importance of the latino vote. Now, think about all the social media sites – either Republican or Democrat – they are very partisan. So there is no – COME TOGETHER moment especially when the messages are going one way.

Now what were those numbers again – Republicans doing more tweeting? And what about these blogs? Sure, SMM (“Social Media Marketing”) is low cost and instantaneous if you do it right. But I can tell you from talking to the heads of the Tea Party movement – they have no money. So you’re relying on volunteers and true believers to spread the word and manage user interaction. Then add to that lack of facts….

Webcasting and Mobile Content delivery are still in their infancy with respect to political campaigns. Of course Obama was to announce Biden as his pick for the Vice Presidency by text, but oops, CNN beat the texting company to it. Nevertheless it was the single biggest texting event in US History and the idea was a good one and certainly one that relied upon supporters to opt in to what are “mobile marketing association guidelines – because you can’t spam – or you shouldn’t, on people’s cell phones.

262 million Americans are using mobile phones which is about 84% of the total population and about 5% of the people who receive a reminder text are more likely to vote. When you think of some of the tight elections that have been contested like the Senate Race in Minnesota, someone has to be kicking themselves.

Another new platform is going to be used with increasing measure actually isn’t so new. I’m talking about webcasting, specifically Political Webcasting. Like texting, there is a real time benefit and people can be on a campaign bus with a candidate and behind the scenes especially when 4G is fully deployed.

One word of caution to the encoding and streaming media technicians…. just make sure the microphones are off.

NEW MEDIA POLITICS - READY FOR THE BIG TIME. MOBILE POLITICS, SOCIAL MEDIA AND CAMPAIGNS

Currently in Beta, SplashVideo.tv syndicates to 150 Viral Video and Social Media Sites as well as mobile content to 70 countries. A little about myself, I head the digital media and emerging technologies division of GCMP.tv. In addition to being a leading New York media strategist, Brian specializes in social commerce, webcasting, building your own network (BYON), ghostwriting and blogging. iProgram specializes in Live To Phone Technologies, mobile video and marketing strategies from its base in New York City. I am also an expert on webcasting and am frequently called upon to execute webcasts from in studio and remote locations. I am a leading New York Based Streaming Media Encoding Technician.