What do you think of this idea? If a user agrees to watch a 15 to 30 second video commercial, the user is permitted to download an MP3 without any restrictions. Mmm. Wondering if this balloon will ever fly? With Ads, Music Downloads Sing a New Tune explains this is the very business plan of FreeAllMusic.
Billboard Magazine explains the plan is to limit users to 20 downloads a month, and perhaps only 5 in one session. In addition, the user must create a 'micro-sponsorship' with a major sponsor such as Coca Cola or Warner Brothers to download the tune. The New York Times article explains that six major advertisers have signed on, and although the website is currently in beta testing, it will go live in January.
One advertising consultant suggests this might actually be better for advertisers. Someone who selects a specific commercial to view may more engaged and receptive than the typical audience.
Mmm. I think the advertising sponsorship model is history, just like video cassette rewinders. Today there are fewer companies selling to consumers than ten years ago, even though the world has 800 million more people (see the census bureau). Companies simply don't need to spend advertising dollars enticing consumers to switch brands when at best, there are only three choices.
Broadcaster's woes could spell trouble for free tv laments the loss of advertising dollars and suggests that free over-the-air programming will become extinct. I think this is going to spill over into the internet, and we will soon have much less free content available. My prediction - people will flock to social networking sites and the world looks like America Online again, circa 1995.
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