What Happens When You Land on the Google Hotel?

As if on cue for my series looking at the Super Seven, BusinessWeek comes out with a cover story on Google, called "Googling for Gold" (subscription required). It's a pretty good article that mainly talks about the Google Effect and how tech start-ups are foregoing VCs and heading straight for the big money - Google itself - in hopes of selling directly to search monstrosity. It's also causing Silicon Valley VCs quite the problem because fledgling companies that were coming to them with scribbles on a napkin and a burning desire are now passing them by.

As an entrepreneur myself - I kind of agree with the logic. Why give some slick VC firm 40% and a seat at the table (read, letting the wolf in the sheep's pen) when I can cash out to Google if my idea is good enough?

So how does this fit into our look at the Super Seven?

This is the way I see it - the rich media web will be the epicenter of marketing for the next 10-15 years. The proof is already in that demonstrably illustrates the broadband web's ability to sell (persuade, educate, market, advertise and entertain) better than any other media. The challenge with marketing on the web today is that there's too much information. You need a way to sort through it all. That's where Google enters. I know - kinda basic. Where Google really makes a big difference - the aforementioned Google Effect - is that it with all its money, it now also controls the future of other developments. Like Microsoft, Apple and Sony have for so long, so will Google.


When Google bought start-up Keyhole last year (now part of Google Earth), it added another key ingredient to its offerings. Location-based search. When Google bought Blogger (which this posting was created with), it gained another piece of the future tech pie.

Think of it this way. Ever played monopoly? Didn't you hate it when your little brother got you to land on Broadway or Park Place with hotels. Then he proceeded to take that money and buy tons of little houses on every corner of the board. With a $120 BILLION market cap, Google can now afford to take chances on lots of little "houses" throughout the tech sector and essentially tilt the future of landscape in its favor.

That's the Google Effect, and why they're going to be a Super Seven Star for years to come.

Next issue - Yahoo!

The Impending Royal Rumble

Pick up, tune in, or click to any media outlet/search engine and you'll understand why I'm so excited.

With all that's going on with mobile and online content, I see a massive Royal Rumble beginning to take shape that would even make Vince McMahon jealous.

Who is gonna be standing after these "Magnificant Seven" competitors all go after the same market?

• Google
• Yahoo!
• AOL/Time Warner/CNN
  
• The "networks" (ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox)
• Comcast
• Microsoft
• The "cells" (SprintNextel, Verizon)

Over the next several blogs - let's take a look at each and see what power moves each brings to the table and how they stack up against the competition. Secret (and not-so-secret) alliances are not out of the question either. CNN is a rumored acquisition target by CBS, or so the story goes.

Enter, the mighty Google.

Feeling the Google Effect

I'm a big deep sea fisherman. One thing I've learned is that there's always a bigger fish. The $25,000 question is how big must the company be that scares Wal-Mart.

A recent New York Times article (registration required) discussed how even the retailer behemoth is keeping a close eye on Google. That's when you know how you've arrived. When Wal-Mart is casting a wary eye. Talk about an ego boost.

With all that Google offers - it's a wonder they haven't been accused of anti-trust yet.

iPod Nano - Stayin Alive

OK, now I can truly say I've seen it all. We've come full circle. An Engadget blog posting covers the story of the launch of the "mTune". Hopefully this will be better than Olympus' awful mRobe - which as CNET reviews describe - bombed miserably. Hope the SuperBowl spot at least got the execs some free tickets to the game.

The mTune (left) looks like one of the best accessories out for the iPod set. Put your iPod mini or iPod Shuffle in these collapsable headphones and now you've got wireless enjoyment. As long as you don't mind the old school headphones.

Good products beget good products. That's life in the world of Apple. Man, this product saved Steve Jobs' neck. Talk about a fourth-quarter comeback.

I only hope they figure out a way for the iPod Video to have a similarly cool hook up. With video glasses or something???

This is a product from Icuiti. Pretty soon we won't be listening or seeing anyone else - just off in our own private worlds.

The future of broadband - Ripe TV?

OK so this may not be my ideal type of content, but the concept is on the right track. If you haven't seen "Ripe TV," check it out. It's obviously male 18-35 slanted and the style is a rip-off of the Howard Stern Show. Lots of girls and music videos. Production quality is ok in spots, but I'm more excited about the way that this is all coming together.

There is a good-looking hostess (in fact viewers can vote for a new hostess every week - interactivity gets a check) who sets the stage and lets us know what's going on. Then we have an ad to start the segment. Then the content. There's also a roll-over ad during the content. The hostess rejoins to introduce the next feature.

It's a TV show online, delivered right to my desktop. Now the video player isn't full-screen, but it is delivered in Flash, so we know that it's fairly accessible on most computers. All in all - not a bad start.

The big question - will Ripe TV stay that way? If I was a betting man, I'd have to say that unless they can find a niche with this type of content - which there should be given the demographic - then this will be another good effort, but not enough to stay with the big boys.

Actually that brings up a question. If you've got a solid concept, big name advertisers, decent quality concept and an appealing targeted demo, why wouldn't you be successful? What is the secret ingredient that turns this into Jib Jab?

Wanna Recipe for Blogs? Connect the Dots!

I was reading Steve Rubel's blog, Micropersuasion, today and he had a post about the "Secret Sauce of Blogging." His main point was don't just talk about your company and their views and benefits of their thinking. Add value to the conversation.

Sure - that's a great point. But I think taking that idea one step further may bring us a little closer to how to really "Kick it up a notch" as our friend Emeril says.

Robert Fulghum had it right. Everything you need to know, you really did learn in Kindergarten. The key to blogging is about connecting the dots. Don't just talk about the new things going on, or your company's new widget. Steve was right. But connect the dots. Talk about how events are inter-related or are counter-intuitive. The blogging community is really in a big search for understanding and insight. We can only get this if we better define what's really going on. And all of opinions and viewpoints will gradually help to pinpoint and focus the discussion/debate.

So you wanna know how to blog? Add to the conversation by connect the dots and help bring a little more understanding to your world.