Interesting read. I’ve been fascinated by this subject for a few years now. As the major movie studios continue folding their traditional marketing, licensing, and home entertainment units into their young digital counterparts, it becomes apparent that the entertainment biz is inching closer to Silicon Valley. Ashton Kutcher’s Katalyst, Ben Silverman’s Electus and Michael Eisner’s Vuguru have all inked significant production, distribution and monetization deals with web and mobile outlets. (Also see newly curated ventures hud:son Media and MTV Scratch, both of which I have high hopes for.)
In fact, all of these companies have taken on the “transmedia” brand stamp (as have I) in efforts to differentiate from the rest of the business, and to open up the possibilities for cross-platform distribution. Transmedia, I would argue, defines the possibilities of this SF/LA, digital/traditional relationship. Unfortunately, the entertainment business is in such a reactive state that pioneers like Eisner, Kutcher and Silverman must break off from the conglomerates in order to impart change. That being said, keep your eyes open for Fox, Disney, Paramount, WB, Sony, Universal, and the other players as they develop notable relationships with major web companies throughout 2011.
Finally, in the above article, Sarah Lacy infers that four groups currently at the helm of the Silicon Valley ecosystem could define the future of the entertainment landscape:
- Media
- Engineers/Executives
- Investors
- Entrepreneurs
I couldn’t agree more. Engineers drive the digital biz. Hire the best and brightest solutions architects — not just writers and producers. While many would argue that there is an ocean of investors in TV/film biz, I would push for the entrance of ‘angel investors’ into the space. Angels help incubate big ideas. Entrepreneurs, however, stick out as the key role that the entertainment biz is missing (and the web biz has too many of!). Inject a bit of money, some Ivy League smarts and a drive for innovation and the industry will be stronger than ever.
Isn’t it about time that the players in the advertising, digital and entertainment spaces start playing on the same team?
