Content Factories Emerge

We have many means of converting data and hypotheses to useful testable directions.

The Data-Driven Tech Engine at the Heart of Hollywood's Content Factories
The Wall Street Journal
Christopher Mims
July 11, 2020

A new breed of film-industry technology companies are developing data-driven tools to help producers generate and refine content in the hope of capturing and retaining audiences. One such firm is audience-research software startup Pilotly, which streams content to people in their homes. Bryon Schafer at music-video distributor Vevo said this capability ensures a larger test audience size, and enables more granular queries to audiences by creatives and marketers. Other systems like MarketCast passively collect information as audiences watch content, gathering biometric data like facial expressions to measure responses. Pilotly's James Norman said the industry relies on a continuous feedback loop of recommendation algorithms, viewing-habit trackers, and studio production teams to sustain audience interest by keeping content fresh; Pilotly replicates those loops across a wide array of audiences by applying the expertise of the company's diverse workforce.  ... " 

AI and Creative Content Industries

Some of the earliest objections we got to AI were:  Where is the creativity?  Then and now it can come from from how elements of content and value are effectively applied.  The article linked to below goes to some length to explore the space.   Its often not enough to be creative, but to understand how elements of creativity, old and new,  are then are operationally used to create value.   Once again, its the process.

strategy+business: Corporate Strategies and News Articles on Global Business, Management, Competition and Marketing
AI Is Already Entertaining You

How technology endowed with creative intelligence changes the way companies generate and distribute content.

AI — the new set of technologies that perform tasks that require human intelligence, such as speech recognition, decision making, and learning — is rapidly working its way into business operations within many global industries. Some members of the entertainment and media (E&M) industry have downplayed its potential. After all, these are creative industries in which both the germ of the business and the value added to it stem from the contribution of human ingenuity and people exchanging ideas. The most successful E&M products and services rely on connecting creative content, brands, and experiences with audiences. ... ....  "

And yet AI is already very much present in the creative industries, just as it is exerting an influence on financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, and most other industries. Which isn’t surprising. Whether in the form of digitization or social networking, the E&M industry has long had the necessary levels of creativity, content, technology know-how, and consumer passion to kick-start innovation. Throw in the low level of legal, financial, and regulatory barriers surrounding business models in entertainment and media, and you have a natural proving ground for new technologies. .... " 

Talking Tom Reaps Eyeballs

A stark reminder that the most desirable aspect of the Web is still getting eyeballs in the door, and then playing videos.  'Talking Tom'  seemingly trivial, with some interactive botlike aspects, has gotten some 10.3 billion video views.  How might we use these designs?

Talking Tom maker Outfit7 confirms it has been sold to United Luck Consortium for $1 billion   by  Dean TakaHashi in Venturebeat: ... " 

Manipulating Live Faces

Applications?  Entertainment I imagine.

Via the CACM: " .... Computer scientists from Stanford University and the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in Germany say they have created a process dubbed "live facial re-enactment" that can instantaneously transfer facial expressions. ....  The researchers say with the new technique, a person's smile would appear seamlessly on live video of another person's face, even if the second person is not smiling. ... "

Sainsbury Provides Streaming Services with Chromecast

A look at Sainsbury's providing entertainment services with Chromecast.   " ... A quick look at the Sainsbury's Entertainment apps shows that the supermarket added the feature to its Android app earlier this month, with its iOS app gaining Chromecast integration over this past weekend. Once set up, you'll be able to buy or rent titles from its catalog and throw them over to your big screen with a touch of a button, allowing you to then use the app as a dedicated remote   ... "  

Virtual Reality Emerges

Peter Fader, Wharton Marketing Prof, and others weigh in on the wearable-enabled, virtual reality marketplace.   Lengthy detailed piece.  Will this finally make them real as a new kind of interface?   One recommendation is: Emphasize business applications to avoid making them appear as a joke.   I agree:  Focus.  The general applications will follow if they make sense.

" ... A slew of new product introductions indicate virtual reality technology is coming into its own — but it’s a sector that is still waiting for a breakthrough product to win over consumers.

Following several product entries into the emerging field of virtual reality from companies like Samsung, Sony, Canon and Facebook’s Oculus Rift project, Microsoft recently launched the HoloLens, an augmented reality headset, and HoloStudio, a software development kit for the product, in hopes of jump-starting a market that could impact areas from gaming and entertainment to collaboration and business. ... " 

Google Releases Purchase Prediction Tool

In Mediapost:   Most interesting idea, especially as it deals with a perhaps unique path to conversion. Very interesting problem from an analytical point of view.  Includes where interactions occur on the journey.  Read the rest of the article, more details and statistics.  Details of the data being used to derive the prediction is unclear.  [ Update: The link below mentions the data used]  A form of retail oriented user model?  Looking further, hope to find out more.

" ... In an attempt to better understand the path to purchase, Google released an online tool that enables marketers to predict the journey in which customers will take to make a purchase. The tool, The Customer Journey to Online Purchase, allows marketers to explore for businesses how any of the 14 industry channels influence purchase decisions.

The tool enables marketers to pick from 14 channels including Arts & Entertainment, Fitness & Beauty, or Law & Government, as well as the size of the business, small, medium or large, in a variety of countries such as the U.S., Brazil or Japan. For each market, channels such as social or paid search are posted toward the left of the graph based on the country and business size. ... " 

History and Future of the Smartphone

In Computing Now:   Good view of the history of the smart phone.   Where is this now so common device going?  How will it fit into the needs of the future?  "   A move to an increasingly biometric device.   While supporting health, work, entertainment and education.

Disney Magic via Big Data and MagicBand

Interesting examples of a company providing magic via big data.  Disney, quite an entertainment colossus now, is known for leveraging emerging technology. Only one example:

" ... Enter: The MagicBand. It's the magic potion, so to speak, for Disney's MyMagic+ initiative. A wearable piece of technology, customized with your color preference and name, and equipped with RFID as well as a (rumored) long-range radio transceiver. While donning the band on Disney property, your to-the-minute behaviors are collected, processed and activated in real time so that Disney can respond more efficiently and relevantly than ever before. It eliminates the need for room keys, parking tickets and credit cards, thus creating the ultimate convenience for park-goers while also providing Disney with critical data on the behaviors of it's customers. ...  " 

Augmented Reality Toy Competition

I like the idea of connecting AR to toys.  It implies the connection of game dynamics as well. Can we then connect the ideas for serious purpose?  A competition sponsored by Metaio.  " ... Metaio, the worldwide leader in augmented reality (AR) software and solutions, and Berlin development studio Toywheel today announced the launch of the first global augmented reality development competition for toys and children’s games. The six-week competition will focus on the future of children’s entertainment, both in the toys themselves and how children will interact with digital media. Participation is open to both developers and non-developers, designers and even children , teenagers and parents with interesting ideas on the use of AR technology in the space ... "  

Pepsi in Augmented Reality Digest

An interesting digest of augmented reality applications, most in marketing and entertainment driven, a good view of what is going on commercially in the space.  From Augmented Pixels.  Featured, Pepsi's effort:

" ...  Pepsi Max Launches “Invading” Campaign in London
london augmented pepsiPepsi utilized augmented reality technology long time ago, Their campaigns and app always provide some fresh ideas and original look and feel. This time Pepsi installed the “Unbelievable Bus Shelter” as a part of the brand’s Unbelievable campaign on New Oxford Street in London with digital technology and a camera facing the street behind the shelter, giving the allusion that the digital display was a glass window panel.

The different effects including an alien invasion, falling fireballs, running tigers, killer robots, etc.were then played on top of this image, causing passers by to stop, stare and take pictures. Augmented reality is used to play digital content on top of real-world images, giving the illusion that situations are happening in real life. ... " 

Birds and Gamified Education

Having been involved in a number of gamification projects, I have always thought it is the gaming companies that could ultimately do the best in applying game dynamics to serious learning problems.  So I like this effort of trying to bring game developers to education.  Look forward to seeing some actual examples.

' .... “We are active in all areas of entertainment and we are now expanding into education,” he told TES. “We like to look at ourselves as a ‘triple E’ company, so entertainment, education and we apply entrepreneurship to everything we do, which is where our crazy ambition comes from.

“When we look at Angry Birds and education, we are not really talking about the games so much as the characters. The characters engage people of all ages [and] it’s very clear there will be very limited learning if you don’t have engaged students.” ... ' 

Intelligent Light, Efficient Lighting and Sensors

Using light as a means of network construction has existed for some time.  It has interesting advantages and constraints.   We tested it for very specialized retail conditions.  From Radar OReilly:   A good overview of players in the space, which takes the idea beyond networking into energy efficiency:   " .... Consider the electric light: it’s ubiquitous and, well, boring. But meld it with some modern technology and you get intelligent lighting — wirelessly networked LED lights augmented by software and sensors. ... Early adopters have included creators of Las Vegas shows and productions, but in the big picture, entertainment is a mere sideshow. Intelligent lighting’s greatest impacts will be in the commercial and industrial sectors: warehouses, office buildings, factories, cold storage plants, hospitals — any place that encompasses large spaces and employs a lot of lights. ,,, That’s because smart lighting is highly efficient lighting. .... " 

Car Apps Grow

Qualcomm is seeking to power in car Apps for entertainment.  App stores and delivery by context is growing.  Who will own the dashboard? 

Augmented Pixels Continued

Recently brought to my attention this augmented reality delivery company: Augmented Pixels  (Formerly AR3D ) advertising, sales and entertainment implementations.  With development offices in the Ukraine and Russia.   Their Blog.  An interesting interview with their CEO in Forbes USA on augmented reality.  A library of over 100 use cases  developed using AR.  I found this latter slide share very intriguing for use with potential customers in the space.

Street Light System with Audio and Video Recording

In is natural to include security and pattern recording systems in lighting.  We tested the idea for retail.  Here a new integration: 

" ... Las Vegas Installs “Intellistreets” Light Fixtures Capable Of Recording ConversationsThe Las Vegas Public Works Department has begun testing a newly installed street light system around City Hall with wide-ranging capabilities including audio and video recording.

According to the Michigan based “Illuminating Concepts,” the system’s main benefits include “energy management, security and entertainment.” The Las Vegas setup includes such features as emergency notification flashers, playable music and a sound announcement system, all controlled from an Ipad ... " 

Augmented Pixels

Recently brought to my attention this augmented reality delivery company: Augmented Pixels  (Formerly AR3D )  For advertising, sales and entertainment implementations.  With development offices in the Ukraine and Russia.   Their Blog.  An interesting interview with their CEO in Forbes USA on augmented reality.  A library of over 100 use cases developed using AR.  I found this latter slide share very intriguing for use with potential customers in the space.

When Core Values are Strategic

Received via the P&G Alumni Network, to be read, their description below.

When Core Values Are Strategic: How the Basic Values of Procter & Gamble Transformed Leadership at Fortune 500 Companies Hardcover by Rick Tocquigny

" ... What do legendary leaders from Disney, GE, GM, Johnson & Johnson, Boeing, eBay, Microsoft, Time Warner, LensCrafters, Chiquita, Walmart, Pepsi, and Saatchi+Saatchi have in common? They all learned the critical importance of core values as managers at Procter & Gamble. Many of these leaders have remained members of the P&G Alumni Network and now you can share in their powerful lessons learned with The P&G Alumni Network's When Core Values Are Strategic. 

This practical resource for emerging leaders offers no-nonsense insights into why values really are so important, and identifies practical ways to propagate, strengthen, and act on them. Bringing together contributions from influential P&G alumni worldwide, it offers a legacy to future leaders across organizations of every type and size. 

Discover why core values are timely, universal, and the secret to long term success and learn how top executives were shaped at P&G to make historic change in energy, aviation, technology, government, transportation, entertainment, healthcare, consumer packaged goods, and other industries. Find out how to build a learning culture that increases shareholder value, see why values and marketing initiatives are inseparable, and much more.... " 

Audi Releases Augmented Reality Manual

Metaio reports that Audi has released an augmented reality enabled manual, linked to a smartphone App.

" ... Metaio, world leader in augmented reality (AR) software and solutions and AUDI AG - global leader in luxury vehicles, today announced the release of the Audi A3 eKurzinfo augmented reality mobile application, available for free download on iOS devices.

After the success of the Audi eKurzinfo app for the Audi A1, which was nominated for the 2013 GSMA Global Mobile Awards for Best Mobile Solution for the Automotive Industry, Audi AG has extended the availability to the new Audi A3.

The new app can recognize over 300 individual elements of the Audi A3 – from the insignia on the windshield wipers and entertainment system to actual engine components under the hood – in order to return relevant how-to information or even virtual overlays of maintenance instructions animated in real-time 3-D. Metaio’s cloud-based architecture pushes digital information directly to the device, meaning the user will never have to update the app ... " 

Randy Pausch Design Lessons

Collaborative design lesson from Randy Pausch of Carnegie Mellon  Particularly interested in the nature of collaborative design:  " ... This week will mark the fifth anniverary of Randy Pausch’s death. Randy was a passionate educator and mentor, and in his final years, he gained worldwide recognition for “The Last Lecture,” as well as for the bravery he publicly displayed facing a terminal illness. ... I was one of many graduate students he taught at Carnegie Mellon’s Entertainment Technology Center (the ETC), which he co-founded. His lessons about the role of collaboration in design – and more, about how to collaborate effectively – have profoundly influenced my career and work as a designer, including my work with startups. Here are three of Randy’s lessons that I think are essential for anyone who hopes to build products for a living. ... '