{"id":541,"date":"2006-09-26T16:57:04","date_gmt":"2006-09-27T00:57:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lefsetz.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/archives\/2006\/09\/26\/update-4\/"},"modified":"2006-09-26T17:09:32","modified_gmt":"2006-09-27T01:09:32","slug":"update-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lefsetz.com\/wordpress\/2006\/09\/26\/update-4\/","title":{"rendered":"Update"},"content":{"rendered":"

YAHOO<\/strong><\/p>\n

The flaw in the hiring of Terry Semel has finally been revealed.\u00c2\u00a0 Believing the Hollywood hype that the future of the Net is entertainment, Semel invested in content and not only lost track of Yahoo’s soul, but its number one competitor, Google.<\/p>\n

Google does one thing very well.\u00c2\u00a0 Search.\u00c2\u00a0 You wouldn’t use anything different unless you happened to be on somebody else’s site.\u00c2\u00a0 And this search has been tied to targeted ads, driving Google’s revenue, as Yahoo was partnering with retailers, trying to take a cut of their sales.<\/p>\n

In other words, Terry Semel is Internet clueless.\u00c2\u00a0 But the fact that he was successful in another business meant he got a pass on Wall Street.\u00c2\u00a0 Oh, he could ORGANIZE the company, he just couldn’t LEAD it.\u00c2\u00a0 And never will be able to.\u00c2\u00a0 Because he just doesn’t understand the Net.<\/p>\n

Yahoo is so nineties.\u00c2\u00a0 Passe.\u00c2\u00a0 It stands for nothing.\u00c2\u00a0 It’s a behemoth akin to General Motors.\u00c2\u00a0 Which will fall off a cliff soon, as it has already begun to do <\/p>\n

\n

Stock Overview for \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcYHOO.O\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Semel hired entertainment cronies, driving the operation in the wrong direction as Google stole its thunder.<\/p>\n

Not that Google is perfect.\u00c2\u00a0 How badly did they fuck up video?\u00c2\u00a0 With their own format and a sliding scale of charges.\u00c2\u00a0 Trumpeting an ex-Hollywood quasi-player as a visionary.\u00c2\u00a0 It IS about relationships.\u00c2\u00a0 But the way you convince Hollywood is to SCARE THEM!\u00c2\u00a0 That they’re going to be left out.\u00c2\u00a0 That if they don’t do it with you, they’re going to be left behind, as renegades not to be trusted steal their wares, creating a quagmire that’s going to COST money as opposed to delivering revenue.<\/p>\n

Bet on people, not history or stock prices.\u00c2\u00a0 Bet on the guys at Google, bet on Steve Jobs and his team at Apple.\u00c2\u00a0 Don’t bet on Semel and the Yahoo troops.\u00c2\u00a0 They lack the vision thing.<\/p>\n

And if it weren’t for their lock on operating systems and productivity apps I’d say not to bet on Microsoft either, their revenue is primarily derived from monopolistic practices, not an assessment of the landscape and the future.<\/p>\n

ZUNE<\/strong><\/p>\n

All you have to know is it comes in brown.\u00c2\u00a0 What did Frank Zappa say almost FORTY years ago?\u00c2\u00a0 BROWN SHOES DON’T MAKE IT!<\/p>\n

Brown has NEVER been cool.\u00c2\u00a0 Maybe UTILITARIAN in the case of UPS, but utilitarian never made headway in tech.<\/p>\n

But the story here isn’t Redmond’s potential challenge of Apple but the backlash it’s causing in its own backyard.<\/p>\n

Microsoft is a business of standards.\u00c2\u00a0 They establish them and their partners follow them.\u00c2\u00a0 Sure, success wasn’t garnered in the MP3 player field, but how much of that is attributable to Microsoft’s lame software?\u00c2\u00a0 Media Player and Plays For Sure\/To Go.\u00c2\u00a0 None of which deliver seamless operation.\u00c2\u00a0 That’s why Apple dominates, IT WORKS!\u00c2\u00a0 Microsoft has a reputation for NOT working, only maintaining its dominance because people are LOCKED INTO their eco-system.<\/p>\n

But that eco-system has been invaded.\u00c2\u00a0 By iTunes.\u00c2\u00a0 The app.\u00c2\u00a0 Which works better on Windows than MICROSOFT’S applications do.<\/p>\n

So, Apple has no worries.\u00c2\u00a0 The iPod juggernaut will continue.\u00c2\u00a0 Not only because of its competitors ineptitude, but their INFIGHTING!<\/p>\n

Microsoft launches Zune and Real Rhapsody says it’s going to write its OWN software featuring seamless integration with SanDisk players, ending up with a system INCOMPATIBLE with Microsoft.\u00c2\u00a0 (Furthermore, Zune isn’t compatible with services that use Microsoft’s OWN secure music software, like Napster, Yahoo and Rhapsody.)<\/p>\n

SanDisk is the number two seller of hand-held players.\u00c2\u00a0 They’re not going down without a fight.\u00c2\u00a0 Nor is Creative, emboldened by their Apple payoff.<\/p>\n

No, Microsoft hasn’t taken steps against Apple, it’s started a CIVIL WAR!\u00c2\u00a0 And nobody profits when there’s infighting.\u00c2\u00a0 It costs a lot to do battle, to try and leap above the fray, and all the while there’s a calm alternative on the side, Apple.<\/p>\n

Wall Street has got this one wrong too.<\/p>\n

HINDER<\/strong><\/p>\n

Anthony Burbidge:<\/p>\n

\n

Re: your latest email mention of the band called Hinder, all I can say is – I watch MTV, MUCH Music, various "Entertainment News" programs, surf the net, AND, until January 05, I worked\/managed an independent record store for 10 years and I HAVE NO IDEA WHO HINDER IS! lol (not that I probably need to based on your assessment!)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Pat Pierson:<\/p>\n

\n

Who is Hinder?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

That’s a Top Ten record you’re talking about there.\u00c2\u00a0 Number 9 LAST WEEK, number 10 this week, only pushed down the chart because of new releases.<\/p>\n

But nobody except those who’ve actually PURCHASED the record seem to know who the act is.<\/p>\n

This is not the way it used to be.\u00c2\u00a0 Used to be you knew EVERY record.\u00c2\u00a0 Because you were a pro.\u00c2\u00a0 And the amateurs?\u00c2\u00a0 They knew the hit acts, first from Top Forty radio in the sixties and then from MTV in the eighties.\u00c2\u00a0 But now with so many alternatives, people have tuned out.<\/p>\n

Oh, it’s not only more records, it’s more media.\u00c2\u00a0 The assault is overpowering.\u00c2\u00a0 To the point where you can’t comprehend it and tune out.\u00c2\u00a0 And since music hasn’t had a good track record recently, many aren’t even paying attention.\u00c2\u00a0 Not that it’s much different in the movie business, I don’t even read the reviews anymore, the flicks come and go so quickly.<\/p>\n

The chart no longer matters.\u00c2\u00a0 Oh, it’s a reflection of what’s selling most, but it’s got no cultural INFLUENCE!\u00c2\u00a0 What’s a chart worth if it doesn’t reflect most people’s listening habits?<\/p>\n

Maybe we need a new chart.\u00c2\u00a0 One that reflects mindshare.<\/p>\n

Then again, we’re going to have to calculate how that mindshare was achieved, and the negative effect of the saturation marketing employed to achieve ubiquity.<\/p>\n

It’s a free-for-all.\u00c2\u00a0 If you don’t know this, you’re just not paying attention.\u00c2\u00a0 The mainstream business has lost hold of its customers.\u00c2\u00a0 Only a small fraction of potential buyers are paying attention to the major label\/MTV\/terrestrial radio circle jerk.\u00c2\u00a0 And so many of those who’ve abandoned this paradigm are NEVER coming back.\u00c2\u00a0 You can kick and scream and tell them they must return, but this hasn’t brought people back from P2P to buying discs.<\/p>\n

The RIAA companies are employing a disinformation campaign equivalent to the one utilized by George Bush.\u00c2\u00a0 No wonder, since the organization is headed by smiling-faced\/evil under the surface ex-Republican lobbyist Mitch Bainwol.\u00c2\u00a0 They’re not curtailing online piracy, they’re not even making headway.\u00c2\u00a0 Maybe they’re exerting a slight drag on progress, freaking out those who WOULD buy music if it were cheaper and more accessible online, ultimately leaving them with their money still in their pockets, but so many consumers have left the building and just laugh when the endless edicts are issued by the trade organization.<\/p>\n

YouTube is one of the greatest things that’s ever happened to music.\u00c2\u00a0 Only eclipsed by Napster before it.\u00c2\u00a0 Footage that we didn’t even know EXISTED is easily viewable.\u00c2\u00a0 Just plug in your favorite band’s name and be STUNNED at what comes up.\u00c2\u00a0 I’m into 10cc.\u00c2\u00a0 There’s a BUNCH of footage of the act on YouTube, and I didn’t know ANY of it existed!<\/p>\n

This is what creates excitement.\u00c2\u00a0 Stoking the fire.\u00c2\u00a0 Getting people excited about music. Satiating fans.\u00c2\u00a0 It’s THIS the RIAA wants to get rid of.\u00c2\u00a0 Doug Morris, only looking for a payday, wants to hold back the future of the industry.\u00c2\u00a0 How dare he.<\/p>\n

Suddenly music is in the forefront, and the people in charge want to bring it back to the rear of the bus.<\/p>\n

MySpace.\u00c2\u00a0 YouTube.\u00c2\u00a0 They’re generating heat about music that eclipses, BY FAR, the iTunes Music Store.\u00c2\u00a0 The only thing rivaling them is the iPod, which is a HARDWARE device.<\/p>\n

But the majors are afraid of losing control.\u00c2\u00a0 Because that’s their ONLY control, distribution.\u00c2\u00a0 They want to make sure YOU can’t exhibit your wares, never mind get paid.<\/p>\n

Turns out you can’t stop Internet copyright infringement.\u00c2\u00a0 Your only hope is to make everyone legal, by licensing their usage.<\/p>\n

And after doing this, you’ll find that new acts emerge, that people believe in, started in places you didn’t even know existed, growing solely on the tunes\/tracks themselves.\u00c2\u00a0 Acts that aren’t one hit wonders, but ones people want EVERY track of.\u00c2\u00a0 THIS is what the majors are trying to stop, can you BELIEVE IT??<\/p>\n

(Product note: I’m not sure I knew the following existed, hell with so MUCH product out there.\u00c2\u00a0 It rings a distant bell in my memory, but for a minute there, I thought it was freshly-unearthed from the vaults.\u00c2\u00a0 Now I’ve seen it, and been enraptured.\u00c2\u00a0 Imagine unlocking product from disc.\u00c2\u00a0 Allowing MANY people to see it at a low price, or free if supported by advertising.\u00c2\u00a0 Good for the Doors?\u00c2\u00a0 Think about a band that’s still ALIVE! <\/p>\n

\n

Doors Hollywood bowl<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

YAHOO The flaw in the hiring of Terry Semel has finally been revealed.\u00c2\u00a0 Believing the Hollywood hype that the future of the Net is entertainment, Semel invested in content and not only lost track of Yahoo’s soul, but its number one competitor, Google. Google does one thing very well.\u00c2\u00a0 Search.\u00c2\u00a0 You wouldn’t use anything different […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-541","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-music-business"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p96vPs-8J","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lefsetz.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/541","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lefsetz.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lefsetz.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lefsetz.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lefsetz.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=541"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lefsetz.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/541\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lefsetz.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=541"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lefsetz.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=541"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lefsetz.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=541"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}