The Digital Revolution, Monetized Streaming Video, The Ultimate Customer Experience and YOU!! by Jay O’Conner Chairman & CEO WCNTV.
The Convergence of Media is now everywhere and The Digital Revolution is in full force. Large Companies are tuning up to make huge investments in companies like HULU.com Skype has just become the property of Microsoft and I can only suspect that Google TV, Apple TV and Facebook TV’s entrance into the world of Content ownership and Independent Production cannot be far off.
For 10 years WCN has been studying the landscape for that one entry point that would allow a upstart such as ourselves to enter the game at a major level. If you are reading this blog or have in the past you may have asked yourself what the Hell is this guy talking about and where did he come from.
Anyone who follows me on Twitter, Facebook, WordPress or any other the other 30 or more Social Media Sites we currently participate with understand that for the most part all the Social Media tools used thus far have been FREE or very
much near FREE as 15 years ago I was laid off from a 6 Figure Salary. After about 5 years of trying to find myself, I started World Colours Network Television whose mission is To Bridge the Gap, Change Mindsets and Transform Cultures through
Love, Acceptance and Global Diversity programming in Fashion, Music and Sports.
As part of this journey I may have spent hundreds of thousands of hours preparing for this day and the Jubilee experience of launching the world’s fastest growing television network. While that hasn’t quite happened yet. The stage is set for an explosion that could set off the answers for averting the Global Economic Crisis that has been fueled by the Press often handed the negativity on a daily basis by our politicians, lobbyists, and the powers that be behind the scenes.
While there is little we can do about the power behind the scenes, Politicians we choose and Lobby Laws that are enacted or ignored are within our purview. But that is not what this post is about. Monetized Streaming Media the Customer Experience however are things that we can have a direct impact on today. Right now as a matter of fact.
Lets start by examining the Ultimate Customer Experience and companies that have gotten it right from Soil to Plate as we say in Transmedia. My favorite example is Virgin Media under the leadership of Sir Richard Branson who went up against British Airways and cleaned their clock. Or on this side of the pond Apple’s Steven Jobs RIP who took on Microsoft and kicked some major ass in sectors back then we thought Microsoft win out given certain practices that make OEM Computer Sellers bundle Microsoft’s Operating System Windows in every computer. Everyone except Apple’s who made sure that again Soil to Plate the Apple Experience was second to non. Even today Microsoft is opening up Stores but would have to spend billions to catch up to the User Experience that Apple Users have come to love, understand and appreciate. This from a IBM Microsoft Man from the days of 2 Floppy Disks, I have fought and resisted becoming an Apple Head. I do carry an Iphone 3G today and gave my son my Blackberry a month or two before the global outage.
But what is the Ultimate Customer Experience? I mean across the board. What do Customers Want from Advertisers? And are they welcome to bombard us on the Web they way they do on Television and Cable as we know it today? How do you feel when you are watching HULU or Crackle when the good part comes and you are forced to watch a commercial for 15 or 30 seconds. And do you opt out the moment you can to avoid the commercial message.
I spent the weekend watching movies online via Crackle and Hulu.com not HULU Plus both are playing around with ways to make the user experience better to which I applaud them. HULU asked me at each ad break was this a relevant commercial for me or not then proceeded to play the same commercial anyway.
Crackle did not ask it just played in large part the same commercial throughout the movie. Both are a real pain in the ass for me as a consumer who just wanted to see the movie and yes for free. Lets talk about FREE, or FREEMIUM as Google’s Chairman has called it. It’s hard to compete with FREE he says. But those of us over 50 know there is no FREE Lunch or Internet Access for that matter.
So lets examine it from a practical point of view for a moment. If you are paying for your Triple Play from your Cable or Satellite Provider are you really going to pay now for HULU Plus subscription in addition. And will the commercials actually go away.
Another interesting model is being used by Pandora Music Service where you can take a survey to have 4 hours of uninterrupted Music or again you can buy a subscription to reduce the number of advertisements.
So with everyone running from Advertisements and what appears to be a culture of ReRuns and 30 Second Commercials why would Advertisers continued to throw money down the Commercial Advertising pit when the Web offers a increasingly better proposition as TV Everywhere is adopted?
Customers clearly want to opt out of commercials and as Branson did with Virgin isn’t it time for a Revenue Share Model to reach the exact demographic through an opt in or invitation into the Transemdia relationship between the Artist telling the Story and the Fan who wants the entertainment or information. What is a fair exchange these days. On Hulu it seems 2 15 Second Ads and a poll question whether the advert was relevant to you or not.
Or is the Pandora Survey in exchange for 4 hours of avoiding commercials. Then I think I watched a Reality Show on Crackle or HULU as both Logos were present you can see the confusion where it gave me the option to watch a Trailer or Commercial Interruptions. What is clear to me is that they are all looking for an answer.
Here is where the CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE AND YOU come in. Its Great that the web services are asking the right questions but are they listening.
Sometime the obvious is so transparent that even the greatest economists of the world overlook it. Back in 2008 Price Waterhouse Coopers predicted that Global Advertisers would spend 2.2 Trillion in Global Media. I would suggest this was to attract customers competitively. With a large amount of the money spent without credible analytic to support the Ad Buy. Yet its spent to reach consumers who may or may not want the information. Where am I going is this. What if you could get an invitation from the Customer to send them your Messages, Coupons, Discounts and have their Attention Everytime without a single Commercial Interruption? Would that alone improve the Customer Experience and provide Advertisers something they are not necessarily getting right now from current Advertising including and especially Television, Cable and Streaming CPMs, CPA networks or otherwise.
With data that cannot be retrieved from Arbitron, Neilson, or Soundscan for that matter. What if the model were moved directly into the Content itself? And by click on that merchandise the activation of the invitation for more. More Ad’s, More Products, Services, Promotions and Daily Discounts.
And OMG what if there was a Revenue Share for Recommending and Sharing the information across Social Media. What Jay you have lost your mind. Share the revenue with the Customers? That is absurd, Over the Top NUTS. Or is it.
Allow me to elaborate what World Colours Network Television will provide for its Viewers globally. A piece of the pie, A cut, A Revenue Share for clicking and buying from Content we create and distribute across All Social Media.
News Release
Even today you can visit the WCN Transmedia Group Blog and we have started identifying Transmedia Brandcasting Businesses that are starting to share this philosophy. Click on The Nations Cell Book, The Customer Advantage, Social Dish or Triniti Communications. They are all businesses that are sharing Revenue today with Consumers for products you are already using everyday. Remember the good Principles of Network Marketing. Yes I was a AMWAY Rep 20 years ago and attended a Dream Night or two but all the while learning about The Free Enterprise System and Buying from oneself provides for the greatest Customer Experience.
Or let me put it another way. THE GREATEST CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE IS BEING ABLE TO PAY YOUR BILLS. And the companies that facilitate the ability to accomplish that in my opinion will lead the pack in the future. And by Future I mean the next 90 Days when this concept will begin going viral. Anyone gotten a check lately from ABC, CBS, NBC or FOX……or your favorite Sports Team, Bank, Cell Phone company and the lists goes on and on. I think there is a partnership between Major Brands and its Customers. Having the opportunity to revenue share as a quasi Independent Sales Rep is what Word of Mouth is all about. So as a Customer for more than 45 years of my life, I know what gets me all warm and fuzzy. And it has to do with the deal. Can I make money or am I just making someone else money. Take it for what its worth. But if you don’t see your customers as the focal point of your attention as a partner then you might just be missing the boat.
In a moment I will list 2011 JD Power Customer Satisfaction Champions, but first let me introduce you to an incredible product that will change the game for Advertisers and Viewers alike. INTEVEO DIVE™
Because you subscribe to this blog you will hear it and see it first.
The J.D. Power 2011 Customer Service Champions represent a variety of different industries, from financial services and insurance to automotive and travel. All have one thing in common: they do more than deliver on their customers’ expectations – they exceed those expectations and, in the process, raise the bar for their competition.
Could she be the most beautiful woman on the planet. As I begin to investigate various cultures it is a pleasure to expose the world (okay those of you who are following me) Ms.. Aishwarya Rai. Examine the pageantry and use of style and colours. Learning more about Bollywood and India’s Rich Culture has been an eye opener for me personally. I look forward to getting to that part of the world. World Colours Network Television Celebrating all Cultures in Fashion Music and Sports.
Lets take a look at her work, Okay maybe we can just look at her. AMAZING
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan[3] (néeAishwarya Rai,Hindi: ऐश्वर्या राय , Tulu: ಐಶ್ವರ್ಯಾ ರೈ, Aiśvarya Rai?, pronounced [əjɕʋərjaː rəj]; born 1 November 1973) is an Indian actress and former Miss World. Before starting her acting career, she worked as a model and gained fame after winning the Miss World title in 1994. Rai has acted in over 40 movies in Hindi, English, Tamil and Bengali, which include international productions.
After a low phase in her career during 2003–2005, she appeared in the blockbuster Dhoom 2 (2006), which turned out to be her biggest Bollywood commercial success. She later appeared in films like Guru (2007), Jodhaa Akbar (2008), and Enthiran (2010) which were commercially and critically successful. Rai has, thus, established herself as one of Bollywood’s leading actresses, and she has also been recognised for several of her dance performances in films.[7] In 2009, she was honoured with the Padma Shri by the Government of India.
Early life
Rai was born in Mangalore to Krishnaraj Rai and Vrinda Rai. She has one elder brother, Aditya Rai, who is an engineer in the merchant navy and has also co-produced one of Rai’s movies, Dil Ka Rishta (2003). At an early age her parents moved to Mumbai where she attended the Arya Vidya Mandir High School in Santa Cruz. Rai entered Jai Hind College at Churchgate for one year, and then moved to Ruparel College in Matunga to finish her HSC studies. She planned to become an architect but gave up her education to pursue a career in modelling.[8]
While pursuing her studies in architecture, Rai began modelling. In the 1994 Miss India contest, she won the second place behind Sushmita Sen, and was crowned Miss India World. She went on to win the Miss World title the same year, where she also won the Miss Photogenic award.[citation needed] She gave up her academics after winning the pageant and spent one year reigning as Miss World in London. Rai then started working as a professional model and moved on to her current profession as an actress.
In 1999 Rai starred in Sanjay Leela Bhansali‘s Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam opposite Salman Khan and Ajay Devgan. The film was centered on Rai’s character, Nandini, who is forced to marry Devgan’s character despite being in love with another man (Khan). As her husband tries to get her to her previous love, she eventually falls for him. Rai’s portrayal won her critical acclaim, with a review on Rediff.com writing, “Aishwarya looks beautiful as usual … This film will most likely draw her accolades from all over, maybe even get her recognised as an actress the way Manisha Koirala did in Khamoshi. In many scenes, there is no trace of makeup and she looks very fresh”.[17] The film became her first box office success in Bollywood and earned her her first Filmfare Best Actress Award.
In the same year she appeared in Subhash Ghai‘s Taal, in which she played the role of a young village woman, Mansi, who becomes a big pop star after being hurt by her lover played by Akshay Khanna. The film was an average performer in India but was a big success among the international audience, especially in the United States, where it became the first Indian film to reach the top 20 on Variety’s box office list.[18] Her performance in the film was praised with Rediff.com writing, “After being praised for her looks and acting talent in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Aishwarya has excelled in Taal. She looks ethereal and unlike the former film, has a very sober and soft role. Though she looks pained and tragic in most of the film, she does a good job of a woman who is very protective of her father and one who doesn’t think twice before rejecting a lover who has insulted her father.”[19] She received another Best Actress nomination at the Filmfare for her performance in the film.[20]
In 2003, she acted in Rituparno Ghosh‘s Bengali film Chokher Bali, an adaptation of Rabindranath Tagore‘s novel by the same name. She portrayed the character of a young woman called Binodini, who is left to her own devices when her sickly husband dies soon after they are married.[24] That year she appeared in her home production Dil Ka Rishta with Arjun Rampal and Rohan Sippy‘s Kuch Na Kaho alongside Abhishek Bachchan, neither of which fared well at the box office.
Rai in a different getup, as an old Dwarf, in the movie Dhoom 2
In 2006, Rai starred in J P Dutta‘s Umrao Jaan, a second film adaptation of the Urdu novel Umrao Jaan Ada (1905), written by Mirza Hadi Ruswa. She portrayed courtesan and poetess by the same name from 19th century Lucknow. The film was a critical and commercial failure, and Rai’s work received generally mixed reviews. Critics particularly panned the film and Rai’s performance while comparing them to the acclaimed 1981 version by Muzaffar Ali, which starred Rekha in the title role. BBC critic Poonam Joshi wrote, “While only Aishwarya could emulate the grace and poise of Rekha, she doesn’t quite capture the intensity of Umrao’s abiding melancholy”, later commenting that “her incandescent beauty and artistry… does indeed keep the audience watching, though not necessarily emotionally engaged.”[27] However, several other critics reacted positively to Rai’s portrayal, including Taran Adarsh, who commented, “Aishwarya Rai looks ethereal… She emotes through her expressive eyes and the consistency in her performance is evident from start to end”.[28] Later that year she appeared as a master thief, Sunheri, in Yash Raj Films‘s Dhoom 2 directed by Sanjay Gadhvi, with an ensemble cast of Hrithik Roshan, Abhishek Bachchan, Bipasha Basu and Uday Chopra. The film turned out to be a blockbuster and became the highest grossing film of the year in India, earning revenues of over Rs 770 million domestically.[29] The film also sparked a controversy for a scene containing a kiss between her and Hrithik Roshan.[30] However, Rai’s performance in the film received mostly negative reviews with a reviewer on Rediff.com writing, “Ash’s character too is all gloss and no depth. You seldom feel any tension in her behaviour and expressions as she accompanies the master thief on potentially dangerous missions. Sunehri enters the film nearly 50 minutes after its opening in a disguise. In no time, she is wearing the flimsiest of clothes. Once she opens her mouth—and she does it two minutes after appearing in the film—she spoils the image. There is no sensuality anymore, and half an hour later, one wonders what made the master thief fall for her.”[31] Nonetheless, her performance earned her a sixth nomination for Filmfare Best Actress Award.
In 2007 she appeared in Mani Ratnam‘s Guru as Sujata. Speculated to be based on the life of Indian businessman Dhirubhai Ambani, it was a rag to riches story about an ambitious small town man who ends up as the owner of the biggest corporation in India. The film was premièred at the Elgin Theatre in Toronto, Canada, making it the first Indian film to have a mainstream international premiere in Canada.[32][33] The film was critically acclaimed and performed well at the box office.[34] Critical reception for Rai was mixed. While Nikhat Kazmi from The Times of India wrote that she is “just okay and fails to register the growth in her character”, Rediff.com‘s Raja Sen described it as “arguably her finest performance, visible especially when she takes over the film’s climax.”[35][36] Rai got her seventh Filmfare nomination for Best Actress for the role. In the same year she starred in Jag Mundhra‘s British film Provoked as Kiranjit Ahluwalia, an NRI woman who killed her abusive husband after facing severe domestic violence, alongside Naveen Andrews and Miranda Richardson. Rai received mostly positive reviews for her portrayal. It was screened in the Marché du Film Cannes Film Market during the Cannes Film Festival in April 2006. During the screening, Ahluwalia sat next to Rai, reportedly holding her hand and sobbing during the most violent scenes.[37] In the same year she appeared as a female Indian warrior from Kerala named Mira in Doug Lefler‘s epic filmThe Last Legion alongside Sir Ben Kingsley, Colin Firth and Thomas Sangster. The film was a critical failure.[38]
Rai at the Cannes Film Festival (2008)
In 2008, she starred alongside Hrithik Roshan in Ashutosh Gowariker‘s historical drama Jodhaa Akbar, a partly fictionalised account of the life of Muslim Mughal emperor Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar, played by Roshan and his Hindu wife Jodha Bai, played by Rai. The film was a critical and commercial success, earning revenues of over Rs 590 million domestically. Rai’s performance in the film was praised by critics, with Rajeev Masand writing, “Aishwarya Rai is wonderfully restrained and uses her eyes expertly to communicate so much, making this one of her finest outings on screen”.[39] She earned her eighth nomination for Best Actress at the Filmfare for her performance. Later that year she co-starred with husband Abhishek Bachchan and father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan in Ram Gopal Verma‘s Sarkar Raj, a sequel to his previous film Sarkar. She played the CEO of a major power company proposing to establish a new power plant in rural Maharashtra.
In 2009 she appeared in Harald Zwart‘s spy comedy film The Pink Panther 2 playing the role of criminology expert, Sonia Solandres. Like its predecessor, the sequel received negative reviews from critics and did a moderate business of $75,871,032 worldwide.[40] In 2010, she collaborated with Mani Ratnam for a bilingual, with both versions featuring Rai portraying a character based on the goddess Sita. Both films were shot simultaneously, with Rai’s role being one of the only roles which were played by the same performer in both versions.[41] Upon release, Raavanan received mixed reviews from film critics. Though her portrayal of Ragini in both languages were praised, the Hindi Raavan alongside Abhishek Bachchan failed commercially, whilst the Tamil Raavanan, became a massive success. Despite the mixed reviews in India, various US media including the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Hollywood reporters praised the Hindi movie.[42]
On October 1, 2010, she appeared with Rajinikanth in the Tamil film Enthiran, directed by S. Shankar.[43] which has a major financial success.[44] She appeared in Vipul Shah‘s Action Replay opposite Akshay Kumar which received mixed reviews from critics. Rai’s final release in 2010 was Guzaarish, her third collaboration with both director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and actor Hrithik Roshan, respectively. The film tells the story of Ethan Mascarenhas (Roshan), a former magician who has been quadriplegic for twelve years and after years of struggle files an appeal to the court for euthanasia (mercy killing). Rai played Ethan’s strict, devoted and supportive nurse Sophie D’Souza. The film opened to positive reviews from critics, and Rai’s portrayal was praised by critics. According to Nikhat Kazmi, “Aishwarya is a stunning picture of fire and grace, walking away with certain scenes by her sheer vitality.”[45][46] In 2011, she received her ninth nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress. As of April 2011, she is set to appear in Abhinay Deo’s next film produced by Farhan Akhtar and Vishal Bharadwaj‘s next directorial venture.[47]
In 1999 Rai participated in a world tour called the Magnificent Five along with Aamir Khan, Rani Mukerji, Akshaye Khanna and Twinkle Khanna.[52] In the same year, she was appointed as Longines Ambassador of Elegance.[53] In 2003 she became the first Indian actress to be a jury member at the Cannes Film Festival.[54] Rai is the brand ambassador for The Eye Bank Association of India’s nationwide campaign to promote eye donation in India.[55] In 2005, she became a brand ambassador for Pulse Polio, a campaign established by the Government of India in 1994 to eradicate polio in India.[56]
In February 2005, Rai performed at the HELP! Telethon Concert to help raise money for the victims of 2004 tsunami earthquake in company with other Bollywood stars.[57] In 2008 she along with her family laid the foundation of a special school for underprivilged girls in the Daulatpur village in Uttar Pradesh. The school will be made by her family and is going to be named after her.[58]
In summer 2008, Rai joined her husband and father-in-law along with Preity Zinta and Ritesh Deshmukh on the Unforgettable World Tour. The first leg of the tour covered the US, Canada, London, and Trinidad. The second leg of the tour most likely happened by the end of the year 2008. Amitabh’s company AB Corp Ltd. along with Wizcraft International Entertainment Pvt. Ltd are behind the concert.[60]
Aishwarya is Hindu and deeply religious. Her favourite temple is a 200-year-old Lord Ganesha Temple.[61]
In 1999 Aishwarya began dating Bollywood actor Salman Khan; their relationship was often reported in the media until the couple separated in 2001. Rai cited “abuse (verbal, physical and emotional), infidelity and indignity” on the part of Khan as a reason for ending their relationship.[62] However, in a 2009 Times of India article Khan denied ever beating her: “It’s not true that I hit a woman.”[63]
Rai is married to actor Abhishek Bachchan. Their engagement was announced on 14 January 2007 and later confirmed by his father, Amitabh Bachchan.[64] The couple got married on 20 April 2007 according to traditional Hindu rites of the Bunt community to which she belongs. Token North Indian and Bengali ceremonies were also performed. The wedding took place in a private ceremony at the Bachchan residence “Prateeksha” in Juhu, Mumbai. They have been cited as a supercouple in the Indian media.[65][66] Rai has been very close to her family and lived with them in Bandra, Mumbai, until her marriage.[67][68]
International media
Rai has been the most popular face of Indian cinema globally. In 2003 Rai became a global brand ambassador of L’Oreal alongside Andie Macdowell, Eva Longoria and Penelope Cruz. In a poll conducted by UK‘s Hello magazine, she was voted the number-one in the list of “The most attractive woman of 2003”.[69] In the same year, Rai appeared in Rolling Stone magazine’s annual “Hot List”.[70] In 2004 she was chosen by Time magazine as one of the World’s “100 Most Influential People” after having already appeared on the magazine’s cover in its 2003 Asia Edition.[71][72] In October 2004 a wax figure of Rai was put on display in London‘s Madame Tussaud’swax museum.[73] She was the sixth Indian and the second Bollywood personality after her father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan to get this honour.
In 2005, she was the subject of a 60 Minutes profile on 2 January, which said that “at least according to thousands of Web sites, Internet polls and even Julia Roberts”, she was “The World’s Most Beautiful Woman”.[4] The same year, a special tulip in the Netherlands was named “Aishwarya Rai” after her.[74] Also in 2005, Mattel released a limited edition of Barbie dolls of Aishwarya Rai in the United Kingdom.[75]
Rai appeared on such shows as Late Show with David Letterman, and was the first Bollywood personality to appear on Oprah’s “Women Across the Globe” segment. In 2005, Harpers and Queen‘s list of “10 Most Beautiful Women in The World” ranked her at the ninth spot.[76] In May 2006, Aishwarya featured in AmericanPeople Magazine as one of the “World’s Most Beautiful People”.[77] In September 2006, the UK magazine Eastern Eye ranked her third in the list of “Asia’s Sexiest Women”.[78] In 2007, Rai has become the first Indian celebrity to have her wax model displayed at Madame Tussauds Museum in historic Time Square in New York.[79] In 2009 she made appearances on Martha Stewart‘s show Martha and The Tyra Banks Show, hosted by Tyra Banks.[80][81] In the same year, Forbes listed Rai in the 387 position out of 1,411 actors as the most bankable Indian star in Hollywood.[82][83] In 2010 she appeared for the second time in Time Magazine‘s list of “100 Most Influential People in the World”.[84] Rai appeared on the cover page of famous fashion magazine Vogue in its 2011 India Edition for the third time.[85] In 2011, she attended the 83rd Academy Awards along with her husband Abhishek.[86]
WCN Transmedia Group: Congratulates “Richard Branson” Virgin Social Marathon. We are awarding the campaign the WCN Social Media Perfect Blend Award. Recognizing the Midas Touch of Sir Richard Branson this opportunity to interface with the genius of the Virgin Media Franchise is unprecedented. The Perfect Blend Award is achieved by a Corporation displaying the balance of Global Citizenship and just plain good business. We celebrate and live vicariously through the life of this Adventurer, Humanitarian, and über entrepreneur. From the depths of the Sea, to Outer Space, there is no stopping this living legend. We can only hope that during this Social Marathon that Virgin will recognize the opportunity to increase independent production and provide distribution to those with superior ideas to even further extend and monetize the Virgin Brand. You will see an excerpt of WCN Perfect Blend Proposal that launched the need for an Industry Specific Social Media Awards Program.
Join the Virgin Social Marathon
Join
We look forward to those Adventurers chosen to shoot video of their Virgin Experiences. And Sir Branson, should you like to consider monetizing streaming video remember that WCN Transmedia Group is prepared to be your Transmedia Brandcasting partner.
Here’s just a peek of what we could bring to the table.
Love, Acceptance and Global Diversity programming in Fashion, Music and Sports.
HULU as both Logos were present you can see the confusion where it gave me the option to watch a Trailer or Commercial Interruptions. What is clear to me is that they are all looking for an answer.
J.D. Power 2011 Customer Service Champions
While pursuing her studies in architecture, Rai began modelling. In the 1994 
Rai made her acting debut in 
TV Everywhere (TVe) Blog 