If you read Matthew's previous post describing the 2012 Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition, you're well aware of what's going on. If you haven't check it out here.  Digimarc's watermarking technology was used to essentially bring the models to life.  Readers can get videos of each of the models' shoots delivered right to their smartphone device.  

Our local KOIN 6 news also caught on and did a great piece on the technology and how it is used.  View the clip by clicking on the image below to get a good overview of what we are doing with digital watermarks.

 

Our web guy said that I need to write a blog post (again). I usually don't listen to him.

This time I'm making an exception: Here's a video interview I did with the Editor of ScreenPlays, Fred Dawson, at Digital Hollywood. Learn more about Media-Sync and Digimarc Discover.

The Grey’s Anatomy Sync App for iPad, which launched in February for ABC’s top-rated series, “Grey’s Anatomy,” has been nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in the category of Outstanding Creative Achievement in Interactive Media.

Why is Digimarc so interested? Because Media-Sync is a product of a joint venture between Nielsen and Digimarc Corporation. It's a complete application development and operating platform that allows TV content producers and broadcasters to deploy real-time sync-to-broadcast mobile apps in a rapid and scalable manner.

Powered by Nielsen's Media-Sync Platform, the app provides fans of the show with the ability to interact with exclusive content in real-time using their iPad. You can root for it at the 63^rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards airs on Sunday, Sept. 19 at 8:00 p.m. ET. 

For more information on Media-Sync here's a recent interview on Interactive TV Today.

If you haven't already, you should subscribe to Bill Rosenblatt's Copyright and Technology blog. Bill runs GiantSteps Media Technology Strategies and does a great job of leveraging his expertise across different segments of media - from digital images, to movies, to music.

A couple of recommended posts:

• HP Snapfish gets into the Stock Image business: utilizing the LicenseStream platform from one of Digimarc's partners.
• Early Release Window: A guest post from our partner Veramatrix, about the movie early release window.

And if you are in need of business stategy or technology architecture advise, Bill is your guy.

Our web guru likes to fancy up our blog titles, he's just that type of guy.  So I figure I need to put "monkey", "soccer" or something alcohol related to meet his approval. [Kevin, watch yourself. -Ed.]

Verimatrix, a Digimarc partner, has announced StreamMark. This powerful new solution was developed in collaboration with major film studios and is specifically designed to enable early release windows for premium video on demand (VoD) content.

StreamMark provides studios additional piracy protection for first-run, early release movie content.  For consumers, it enables them to get Hangover2 and their favorite movies at home sooner. 

Verimatrix will be demonstrating StreamMark at CableNet, a technology showcase co-sponsored by CableLabs® and the National Cable & Telecommunications Association, June 14-16 in Chicago.

Introduction

Today we interact with Internet media nearly as routinely we checked our wristwatches to read time-of-day fifteen years ago. While the conversion might seem radical to consumers from 1996, the advent of portable connected devices such as smartphones and tablet computers implies an even more fundamental change in the future. In short, all media shall become interactive – not just Internet media.

A little under two years ago, Inside Digital Media predicted that sponsors would ultimately demand they only pay for video ads that actually get watched. (Thinking the Unthinkable About Video Ads – September 18, 2009). We reasoned the success of the cost-per-action pricing of Google AdWords would force change. Since sponsors only pay Google when viewers “click on” AdWords text, they would ultimately apply such a cost-per-action standard to banner and video ads as well.

To listen to audio narration now click here -- seven minutes

Last week a YouTube executive provided confirmation at WPP Group’s Global Video Summit. WPP Group is a leading advertising and media management company. YouTube’s Product Manager for Video Monetization, Baljeet Singh, was a Summit guest where he forecast half of video ads by 2015 would be cost-per-view. He explained how it is starting on the Internet.

 

Are you a wrestling fan? Of course you are!

Tune-in to USA tonight at 8pm/7pm CT and check-out WWE Tough Enough. It’s a new reality show hosted by “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, with corresponding Tough Enough applications for the iPhone, iPad and Android mobile phones and tablets. The apps will enhance the show experience and reward fans for tuning in live by providing access to deleted scenes, blooper reels, and other exclusive content. 

Thru the app, you also have the opportunity to join the Tough Club, which allows members to earn additional points by logging in, and provides fans an opportunity to compete with other fans for leader board status and trade points for Tough Enough merchandise.

Like the Tough Enough app, Digimarc has also flexed its muscle by enabling a second screen experience through the Media-Sync Platform. You can enjoy the Media-Sync platform on The Weather Channel's new series, From the Edge With Peter Lik, and ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy.  Media-Sync is a joint venture between The Nielsen Company and Digimarc Corporation.

 

The Weather Channel's new series, From the Edge With Peter Lik, will use the Media-Sync Platform to enable a second screen experience. 

The iPad app provides fans of the show the ability to interact with exclusive content in real time using your iPad. While you watch each episode you can map Peter’s path as he finds the "perfect shot”, see behind the scenes videos and photos and connect with other fans of the show on Facebook and Twitter.

The Media-Sync platform relies on audio watermarks already inserted into nearly every TV program in the U.S. as part of Nielsen's industry standard TV audience ratings service. 

Media-Sync is a joint venture between The Nielsen Company and Digimarc Corporation.

During the past dozen years the percentage of American households with DVRs increased from zero to forty percent. Viewers became increasingly accustomed to skipping commercials and viewing shows on their own timetables as opposed to broadcast schedules. The growth intensifies apprehension among sponsors that TV advertising is losing effectiveness. While to date industry efforts to combat the trend have been unproductive, recent developments suggest the tendency can be mitigated, and even reversed. When combined with better ad targeting and commercials permitting viewers to segue into spontaneous online merchandise purchases, the TV industry could advance to a new era of prosperity.

The "trick" is to transform scripted shows into realtime events.