6 second ads…B.S or the future? And… How Hallmark conquered Hollywood. Plus, rants and raves about what happens when you remove “donuts” from Dunkin Donuts, the scathing critique that almost doomed TV classic Seinfeld, and the billboard that features 43,412 movie nude scenes. It’s episode 69 of Media Unplugged with branding authority Tom Asacker and media strategist Mark Ramsey. Listen as we go inside media to reveal the ugly truth! Click the play button below: And if you’re

Here’s what YouTube TV really means… And… Is Martin Scorcese too risky for Hollywood? Fugetaboutit! Plus, movie theaters are really in the SEAT business, and the limits of asking your friends to try a podcast (#trypod is well-meaning, but will it be enough?). It’s episode 59 of Media Unplugged with branding authority Tom Asacker and media strategist Mark Ramsey. Listen as we go inside media to reveal the ugly truth! Click the play button below: And if you’re reading this by e

Apple is the new Hollywood! And… You can’t fix Twitter. Plus, rants and raves about new products at CES that make perfectly good items too complicated, advice on writing stronger that should be more strongly written, Tom’s great new book, “I Am Keats,” and more. It’s episode 56 of Media Unplugged with branding authority Tom Asacker and media strategist Mark Ramsey. Listen as we go inside media to reveal the ugly truth! Click the play button below: And if you’re reading this b

Snapchat introduces Discover and goes from messaging to big media. Also: Amazon’s making their own original movies – here’s why the movie business will never be the same. Plus, Tom raves about Taylor Swift’s move to gobble up trademark protection to many of her phrases, while Mark rants about the utter absence of ideas for season two of the popular podcast, Serial. Mark also raves about the most popular Superbowl commercials – many of which didn’t even exist. It’s episode 12

It’s episode 4 of Media Unplugged, and Tom Asacker and Mark Ramsey reveal the secret to BuzzFeed’s video success and uncover the real story underlying Netflix’s attack on the movie business. First, we discuss the magical pixie dust that makes BuzzFeed’s viral videos go viral and what that has to do with tapping consumer desire. Second, Netflix fires a bullet to the heart of theatrical distribution with their first-ever original motion picture, a sequel to Crouching Tiger, Hid

“Hollywood Studios’ Message to Executives: Embrace Digital or Die.” That was the title of the piece in The Wrap. It focused on the ascent of two newly upped Hollywood execs, one heading Paramount’s TV division, the other leading Warner Bros. They didn’t get their new gigs because of their “traditional” experience, writes The Wrap: They got these positions because of their handle on new business models, new opportunities and new talent. In other words, they have a vision for w

It’s the idea that you’re already familiar with the concept of the movie, thus the studios don’t need to waste those precious marketing resources making you familiar with the concept. Even before you see it, you know enough about it to know you really want to see it. It’s why so many of our cinematic tentpoles are followed by roman numerals, and why international territories in particular (the source of 70% of Hollywood’s revenues) are eating them up. In television, CSI spawn

Peter Guber is the former chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures and currently heads the Mandalay Entertainment Group which presents hit films such as The Kids Are All Right and recently partnered in acquiring the NBA’s Golden State Warriors.  Among the award-winning films Guber has produced or executive produced are Midnight Express, Gorillas in the Mist, Batman, and Rain Man.  Peter is the author of a great new best-selling book called Tell to Win: Connect, Persuade, and Triumph

In Hollywood they call it “Cannes for Blockbusters.” Will Ferrell, Sly Stallone, Angelina Jolie, and dozens of other A-list stars were there.  And so were K-Rock’s Kevin & Bean, broadcasting live from a parking lot. I’m talking about Comic-Con, ground zero for everything buzz-worthy in pop culture. I stopped by Comic-Con last week and picked up two key lessons in branding that are applicable to any (and every) broadcaster. Watch this short video to discover what they are: And