One the heels of, “OMG, we have to get all our clients to blog!” comes “OMG, screw blogs, this Podcast thing is it baby!” Yup. Like lemmings (and I know because I was one for years) the ad industry is gaga over Podcasting. As Publicis Groupe Media Chief Innovation Officer (how’s that for a title?) says, “Podcasting is one of the developments, along with online digital music services like iTunes and Rhapsody, that allow a consumer to be their own programmer. That will obsolete terrestrial radio for many advertisers,”
Ah the, the attack of the consumer media clones. Backyard Barbecue Tips By Bill. Luscious Lawns By Lucy. Subway Satire By Sally. Taxi Tips From Tom. If the industry stressed over fragmentation in the 80’s and 90’s, it ain’t seen nothin’ yet. But, just how much fragmentation do we want. Do we want one media outlet for every citizen in the world? Oh, don’t get all Huffington on me. Of course, I’m generalizing and Podcasting can be a very good thing. In fact, may larger companies such as GM, NPR and Volvo and making great use of the medium right now. It’s just amusing to see such hype, excitement and explosion of podcast related start ups for a medium most have no idea exist.
