What we're listening to. The Stone Roses.

For many, this is possibly the greatest British Album ever recorded. Me, I'm not so sure but it has just been remastered and to Streamabout, there was dancing when it went on.

The Stone Roses came out of the Manchester Madchester scene (Happy Mondays, the legend 'Bez', Oasis, Joy Division, The Fall, New Order, The Smiths, Heaton Park, Factory Records, Tony Wilson and of course, the centre of the universe for a time, 'The Hacienda'). Actually if you go further back to bands like The Hollies, Manchester has produced a huge collection of music way above anywhere else. And ecstasy.

This was their debut in 1989 with Ian Brown as the iconic frontman and the were very media 'shy' or really, media disruptive. So without much ado, this Album achieved cult status and is still highly regarded. Mind you, the Production is a bit, well, 'mixed'.

But the songs are strong and I can't think of another Album that's mentioned to us so much. It's a 'must listen to', so do. 

Here's 'I want to be adored' live. 

Previous "listen to's" you'll also find on this blog (you can search them in the Search top left on the Blog)......Joe Jackson 'I'm the Man'; Oasis 'Morning Glory'; Bob Dylan 'At The Budokan'; Van "It's too late to stop now Volume 2/3/4"; Air 'Moon Safari'; Talking Heads 'Stop Making Sense'; Lynyrd Skynyrd 'One for the road'; Marvin Gaye 'Whats Goin on'; Mercury Rev 'Deserters Songs'; Dave Matthews 'Crash'; Beyonce 'Lemonade'; Prince 'Sign O the times'; Daft Punk 'Random Access Memories'; Amy Winehouse 'Back to Black';Police 'Outlandos D'Amour'; Michael Jackson 'Off the Wall'; Carole King 'Tapestry'; Beatles 'Red Album'; Sex Pistols 'Never mind the Bollocks'; Sam Cooke 'Live at Harlem Square'; The Doors 'LA Woman'; Thin Lizzy 'Live & Dangerous'; Kendrick Lamarr 'Butterfly'; Aretha Franklin 'Amazing Grace'; Clapton '461'; Massive Attack 'Blue Lines'; The Clash 'London Calling'; Chris Isaak 'At The Filmore'; Bob Dylan 'Street Legal'; Bad Company 'Straight Shooter'; Jackson Browne 'Love is Strange'; Lou Reed 'Transformer'; Steely Dan 'AJA'; Stones 'Black+Blue'; Stephen Bishop 'Careless'; Nils Lofgren 'Night after Night'; Mike Oldfield 'Tubular Bells'; Neil Young 'Harvest'; Led Zep '4'; David Bowie 'David Live'; Van Morrison 'It's too late to stop now'; Wings 'Band on the Run'; Rod Stewart 'Atlantic Crossing'; Ryan Adams 'Heartbreaker'; Santana 'Essential'; Bob Dylan 'Desire'; Roxy Music 'For your pleasure'; Bob Marley 'Legend'; Stephen Fretwell 'Magpie'; James Taylor 'Sweet Baby James'; Deep Purple 'Machine Head'; Springsteen 'Darkness on the edge of town'; Leon Bridges 'Coming Home'; Eagles 'Hotel California'; Jungle; Aretha 'Soul Queen'; Neil Young 'After the Goldrush' ; Zappa 'Overnite Sensation'; Fleetwood Mac 'Rumours'; Keith Jarrett 'Koln Concert'; Doobies 'Southbound'; Stevie Earle 'I feel Alright'; Tom Waits 'Closing Time'; Pink Floyd 'Dark Side'; Van Morrison 'Moondance'; Eric Church 'Caught in the Act'; Randy Newman 'Little Criminals'; Elton John 'Madman across the water'; Patti Smith 'Horses'; Doobies 'Captain and Me'; Steely Dan 'Can't Buy a Thrill'. 

What we're listening to. Joe Jackson 'I'm the Man'.

This is straight out of the Punk/New Wave handbook but now, sounds nothing like it. More raw rock in the vein of Elvis Costello or Graham Parker and The Rumour.

It was his second Album from 1979 and featured a huge song at the time, "It's different for girls". You'll probably also know "Is she really going out with him?".

That's Jackson on the cover looking like a very British spiv.

'On your radio', 'Geraldine and John, 'Kinda Kute' and 'Get that Girl' are the highlights and in our view, 'Geraldine and John' is a killer track.

He's really David Jackson from Burton-on-Trent but has spent a lot of his life in Berlin and, moved into Classical Music. He's 61 and campaigns against Smoking Bans....really.

But this is a classic not just of its time but of today. Really strong record with interesting vibes and earthy lyrics. Well worth the look and this is a bit of gem.....

Previous "listen to's" you'll also find on this blog (you can search them in the Search top left on the Blog)......Oasis 'Morning Glory'; Bob Dylan 'At The Budokan'; Van "It's too late to stop now Volume 2/3/4"; Air 'Moon Safari'; Talking Heads 'Stop Making Sense'; Lynyrd Skynyrd 'One for the road'; Marvin Gaye 'Whats Goin on'; Mercury Rev 'Deserters Songs'; Dave Matthews 'Crash'; Beyonce 'Lemonade'; Prince 'Sign O the times'; Daft Punk 'Random Access Memories'; Amy Winehouse 'Back to Black';Police 'Outlandos D'Amour'; Michael Jackson 'Off the Wall'; Carole King 'Tapestry'; Beatles 'Red Album'; Sex Pistols 'Never mind the Bollocks'; Sam Cooke 'Live at Harlem Square'; The Doors 'LA Woman'; Thin Lizzy 'Live & Dangerous'; Kendrick Lamarr 'Butterfly'; Aretha Franklin 'Amazing Grace'; Clapton '461'; Massive Attack 'Blue Lines'; The Clash 'London Calling'; Chris Isaak 'At The Filmore'; Bob Dylan 'Street Legal'; Bad Company 'Straight Shooter'; Jackson Browne 'Love is Strange'; Lou Reed 'Transformer'; Steely Dan 'AJA'; Stones 'Black+Blue'; Stephen Bishop 'Careless'; Nils Lofgren 'Night after Night'; Mike Oldfield 'Tubular Bells'; Neil Young 'Harvest'; Led Zep '4'; David Bowie 'David Live'; Van Morrison 'It's too late to stop now'; Wings 'Band on the Run'; Rod Stewart 'Atlantic Crossing'; Ryan Adams 'Heartbreaker'; Santana 'Essential'; Bob Dylan 'Desire'; Roxy Music 'For your pleasure'; Bob Marley 'Legend'; Stephen Fretwell 'Magpie'; James Taylor 'Sweet Baby James'; Deep Purple 'Machine Head'; Springsteen 'Darkness on the edge of town'; Leon Bridges 'Coming Home'; Eagles 'Hotel California'; Jungle; Aretha 'Soul Queen'; Neil Young 'After the Goldrush' ; Zappa 'Overnite Sensation'; Fleetwood Mac 'Rumours'; Keith Jarrett 'Koln Concert'; Doobies 'Southbound'; Stevie Earle 'I feel Alright'; Tom Waits 'Closing Time'; Pink Floyd 'Dark Side'; Van Morrison 'Moondance'; Eric Church 'Caught in the Act'; Randy Newman 'Little Criminals'; Elton John 'Madman across the water'; Patti Smith 'Horses'; Doobies 'Captain and Me'; Steely Dan 'Can't Buy a Thrill'. 

What we're listening to. Oasis 'Morning Glory'.

In its time, 1995, this was a landmark Album and propelled Oasis to worldwide stardom.

We'd, Streamabout, had forgotten about it really but when we played it this week it lit up the room. It's still just as fresh as it was then. Surprisingly so, because a lot of Albums don't stand that test of time. It has lost none of its gloss. 

It was their second Album but largely from Noel Gallagher and broke all he records for sales and winning Best British Album of the year and named as The Best British Album since 1980. That's unfair, it's even better than that. 

"Some might say" and "Don't look back in anger" were the original singles but of course "Wonderwall" is the best known track. That's not to ignore "Champagne Supernova" and "She's Electric". 

It was the start of that Britpop and Manchester scene (Blur, Suede, Pulp) although recorded in Wales between fights of both Gallagher brothers causing recording to be suspended. 

It's very Beatles, a huge influence on the Band and ballady. 

Their live gigs (the author here was at 3 of them) were simply astonishing. There's a documentary on the Band called 'Supersonic' due out later in 2016 by the Producers of 'Amy' so definitely to look out for.

They split in 2011 and 'Morning Glory' has been remastered and that's the version to get. Do....It's truly a great, great record.

And just for spite, we're going to play something not on the record because we love it too. Masterplan.

Previous "listen to's" you'll also find on this blog (you can search them in the Search top left on the Blog)......Bob Dylan 'At The Budokan'; Van "It's too late to stop now Volume 2/3/4"; Air 'Moon Safari'; Talking Heads 'Stop Making Sense'; Lynyrd Skynyrd 'One for the road'; Marvin Gaye 'Whats Goin on'; Mercury Rev 'Deserters Songs'; Dave Matthews 'Crash'; Beyonce 'Lemonade'; Prince 'Sign O the times'; Daft Punk 'Random Access Memories'; Amy Winehouse 'Back to Black';Police 'Outlandos D'Amour'; Michael Jackson 'Off the Wall'; Carole King 'Tapestry'; Beatles 'Red Album'; Sex Pistols 'Never mind the Bollocks'; Sam Cooke 'Live at Harlem Square'; The Doors 'LA Woman'; Thin Lizzy 'Live & Dangerous'; Kendrick Lamarr 'Butterfly'; Aretha Franklin 'Amazing Grace'; Clapton '461'; Massive Attack 'Blue Lines'; The Clash 'London Calling'; Chris Isaak 'At The Filmore'; Bob Dylan 'Street Legal'; Bad Company 'Straight Shooter'; Jackson Browne 'Love is Strange'; Lou Reed 'Transformer'; Steely Dan 'AJA'; Stones 'Black+Blue'; Stephen Bishop 'Careless'; Nils Lofgren 'Night after Night'; Mike Oldfield 'Tubular Bells'; Neil Young 'Harvest'; Led Zep '4'; David Bowie 'David Live'; Van Morrison 'It's too late to stop now'; Wings 'Band on the Run'; Rod Stewart 'Atlantic Crossing'; Ryan Adams 'Heartbreaker'; Santana 'Essential'; Bob Dylan 'Desire'; Roxy Music 'For your pleasure'; Bob Marley 'Legend'; Stephen Fretwell 'Magpie'; James Taylor 'Sweet Baby James'; Deep Purple 'Machine Head'; Springsteen 'Darkness on the edge of town'; Leon Bridges 'Coming Home'; Eagles 'Hotel California'; Jungle; Aretha 'Soul Queen'; Neil Young 'After the Goldrush' ; Zappa 'Overnite Sensation'; Fleetwood Mac 'Rumours'; Keith Jarrett 'Koln Concert'; Doobies 'Southbound'; Stevie Earle 'I feel Alright'; Tom Waits 'Closing Time'; Pink Floyd 'Dark Side'; Van Morrison 'Moondance'; Eric Church 'Caught in the Act'; Randy Newman 'Little Criminals'; Elton John 'Madman across the water'; Patti Smith 'Horses'; Doobies 'Captain and Me'; Steely Dan 'Can't Buy a Thrill'.

What we're listening to Bob Dylan 'At The Budokan'

We've already blogged two Dylan Albums - 'Desire' and 'Street Legal' - both well worth the effort. Although we're not true fans in Streamabout, this is probably our last Dylan recommendation, 'At The Budokan'.

It's a live Album from 1979 and using the same Band from 'Street Legal' from The Budokan Hall Concerts in Tokyo. It was fairly savaged by critics at the time and that's hard to fathom. Really.

Although more a 'greatest hits' from songs at the time it features great arrangements of 'Ballad of a thin man', the excellent 'One more cup of coffee', 'Is your love in vain' and the terrific 'Simple twist of fate'. 

You'll recognise a lot in here too like 'All along the Watchtower', 'Blowin in the wind', 'Mr. Tambourine Man', 'Shelter from the Storm', 'Maggies Farm' and 'Forever Young' so you'll know a lot of the songs.

Whatever about the critics, it's definitely one to have. In our view, Dylan at his finest in fact and there's always a rawness, a difference in a live Album that makes it interesting. Very much highlights the singer/songwriter in him and really brings home his greatness which, fans or not, there's little doubting.

A definite for our list anyway. 


Previous "listen to's" you'll also find on this blog (you can search them in the Search top left on the Blog)......Van "It's too late to stop now Volume 2/3/4"; Air 'Moon Safari'; Talking Heads 'Stop Making Sense'; Lynyrd Skynyrd 'One for the road'; Marvin Gaye 'Whats Goin on'; Mercury Rev 'Deserters Songs'; Dave Matthews 'Crash'; Beyonce 'Lemonade'; Prince 'Sign O the times'; Daft Punk 'Random Access Memories'; Amy Winehouse 'Back to Black';Police 'Outlandos D'Amour'; Michael Jackson 'Off the Wall'; Carole King 'Tapestry'; Beatles 'Red Album'; Sex Pistols 'Never mind the Bollocks'; Sam Cooke 'Live at Harlem Square'; The Doors 'LA Woman'; Thin Lizzy 'Live & Dangerous'; Kendrick Lamarr 'Butterfly'; Aretha Franklin 'Amazing Grace'; Clapton '461'; Massive Attack 'Blue Lines'; The Clash 'London Calling'; Chris Isaak 'At The Filmore'; Bob Dylan 'Street Legal'; Bad Company 'Straight Shooter'; Jackson Browne 'Love is Strange'; Lou Reed 'Transformer'; Steely Dan 'AJA'; Stones 'Black+Blue'; Stephen Bishop 'Careless'; Nils Lofgren 'Night after Night'; Mike Oldfield 'Tubular Bells'; Neil Young 'Harvest'; Led Zep '4'; David Bowie 'David Live'; Van Morrison 'It's too late to stop now'; Wings 'Band on the Run'; Rod Stewart 'Atlantic Crossing'; Ryan Adams 'Heartbreaker'; Santana 'Essential'; Bob Dylan 'Desire'; Roxy Music 'For your pleasure'; Bob Marley 'Legend'; Stephen Fretwell 'Magpie'; James Taylor 'Sweet Baby James'; Deep Purple 'Machine Head'; Springsteen 'Darkness on the edge of town'; Leon Bridges 'Coming Home'; Eagles 'Hotel California'; Jungle; Aretha 'Soul Queen'; Neil Young 'After the Goldrush' ; Zappa 'Overnite Sensation'; Fleetwood Mac 'Rumours'; Keith Jarrett 'Koln Concert'; Doobies 'Southbound'; Stevie Earle 'I feel Alright'; Tom Waits 'Closing Time'; Pink Floyd 'Dark Side'; Van Morrison 'Moondance'; Eric Church 'Caught in the Act'; Randy Newman 'Little Criminals'; Elton John 'Madman across the water'; Patti Smith 'Horses'; Doobies 'Captain and Me'; Steely Dan 'Can't Buy a Thrill'.

What we're listening to. George Ivan Morrison. The New Volume 2 'It's too late to stop now'. Magnificent.

Just stop whatever you're doing right now and put this new Album on.
You simply won't find anything better for a long, long time.

It's actually brand new (June 10) but the original 1973 Album (Volume 1), we blogged about in October 2015 because Ivan hit 70. 

This is a new release to follow that infamous original, which he recorded aged 29, with more unreleased material.

What made the original famous of course, was that it was the first live Album recorded live 'as it was', without the usual overdubs and superb it was too. 

Considered an absolute classic.....But this is probably better, if that was ever even possible. 

The whole breadth of this Album is so much more and so too the digital quality as a 24 bit remastered high resolution, which feels intimate rather than over-produced. Just like you're wonderfully there. 

Called 'Volume 2/3/4' it's more of the 1973 concerts recording over 8 nights (The Rainbow, The Troubadour and The Auditorium, which each volume reflects songs from each gig) but completely unreleased music. 

And what a glory it is. 

We don't think you'll hear Van in better form or a Band (The 11 piece, Caledonia Soul Orchestra) more tight and trust us, we know everything he's ever done.

It opens with 'Come Running' from the 1970 Moondance as a jaunty version and there's a cracking version of 'Brown Eyed Girl' (which we were getting tired of hearing, but not anymore). 

'Snow in San Anselmo' too, from the 'Hard Nose the Highway' Album, which hadn't yet been released at the time, as well as the Joey Raposo standard 'It's Not easy bein green'. 

Possibly one of the best ever, but little known Van tracks is here too - 'Purple Heather' (Will you go, Lassie go) - is just superb. 

'Moondance', 'Caravan', 'Domino', 'Cyprus Avenue' (from Astral Weeks where the line "it's too late to stop now" comes from), 'Gloria', 'Aint nothing you can do', 'Into the Mystic', 'Here comes the Night', and just listen to the drumming on 'Wild Children'. 'Wild Children' shows the string arrangements beautifully too. 

We could go on.

Jeff Labes on piano, David Hayes on Bass, Brother Jack Schroer on Sax, John Platania on Guitar, Bill Atwood on trumpet, Nancy Ellis on Viola....extraordinary. In fact, only on this Album can you hear for the first time really, the excellent influence of David Shaw's drums and the imagination of him working with David Hayes on Bass. 

If you can get the Bass player and drummer working together, you get something special and here they do.

You can actually see their close playing on the accompanying DVD, also highly recommended and if nothing else, to see George Ivan Morrison at the height of his powers as the Band leader. Talk about managing the sound!

And to see him kicking out his feet for 'Gloria'. And to see the Right hand conducting the Band, as he was so notorious for doing. And to see him lose himself in the music.

Only thing that's missing here is 'Madame George' also recorded as 'Madame Joy', with probably the best lyric ever written in a song..... "Sitting in a corner playing dominos in drag"....still everything is magnificent. 

As someone in Streamabout said, if you could give this Album 15 stars, you would. 

There isn't and there won't be, a better record to get this year. And most likely, a better record for decades to come. Unbelievably wonderful.

And here's 'Caravan' below for the Band intro alone. No one does it better. 

We never agreed that 'Astral Weeks' was his best Album anyway, but now there's no argument anymore. This, Ladies and Gentlemen, is it. 

Previous "listen to's" you'll also find on this blog (you can search them in the Search top left on the Blog)......Air 'Moon Safari'; Talking Heads 'Stop Making Sense'; Lynyrd Skynyrd 'One for the road'; Marvin Gaye 'Whats Goin on'; Mercury Rev 'Deserters Songs'; Dave Matthews 'Crash'; Beyonce 'Lemonade'; Prince 'Sign O the times'; Daft Punk 'Random Access Memories'; Amy Winehouse 'Back to Black';Police 'Outlandos D'Amour'; Michael Jackson 'Off the Wall'; Carole King 'Tapestry'; Beatles 'Red Album'; Sex Pistols 'Never mind the Bollocks'; Sam Cooke 'Live at Harlem Square'; The Doors 'LA Woman'; Thin Lizzy 'Live & Dangerous'; Kendrick Lamarr 'Butterfly'; Aretha Franklin 'Amazing Grace'; Clapton '461'; Massive Attack 'Blue Lines'; The Clash 'London Calling'; Chris Isaak 'At The Filmore'; Bob Dylan 'Street Legal'; Bad Company 'Straight Shooter'; Jackson Browne 'Love is Strange'; Lou Reed 'Transformer'; Steely Dan 'AJA'; Stones 'Black+Blue'; Stephen Bishop 'Careless'; Nils Lofgren 'Night after Night'; Mike Oldfield 'Tubular Bells'; Neil Young 'Harvest'; Led Zep '4'; David Bowie 'David Live'; Van Morrison 'It's too late to stop now'; Wings 'Band on the Run'; Rod Stewart 'Atlantic Crossing'; Ryan Adams 'Heartbreaker'; Santana 'Essential'; Bob Dylan 'Desire'; Roxy Music 'For your pleasure'; Bob Marley 'Legend'; Stephen Fretwell 'Magpie'; James Taylor 'Sweet Baby James'; Deep Purple 'Machine Head'; Springsteen 'Darkness on the edge of town'; Leon Bridges 'Coming Home'; Eagles 'Hotel California'; Jungle; Aretha 'Soul Queen'; Neil Young 'After the Goldrush' ; Zappa 'Overnite Sensation'; Fleetwood Mac 'Rumours'; Keith Jarrett 'Koln Concert'; Doobies 'Southbound'; Stevie Earle 'I feel Alright'; Tom Waits 'Closing Time'; Pink Floyd 'Dark Side'; Van Morrison 'Moondance'; Eric Church 'Caught in the Act'; Randy Newman 'Little Criminals'; Elton John 'Madman across the water'; Patti Smith 'Horses'; Doobies 'Captain and Me'; Steely Dan 'Can't Buy a Thrill'.

Facebook Advertising tracks Store Visits. Brilliant effective advertising.

Facebook are linking their Advertising to store visits according to AdWeek and Adage. 

So you can track who sees the Ad and whether they visit the shop!

Which means, targeted local awareness Ads (say an Offer) using GPS, as people walk near a shop, can be proved effective. 

Ideal to capitalise on mobile usage too. Real Advertising delivery and effectiveness. 

However, people will have to opt-in for GPS tracking on an App but that should be overcome as an add-on to the Facebook App. They're also rolling out a feature called 'Store Locator' giving shoppers detail info on the nearest shops etc. so that will fit the GPS bill too. 

If you know where people are at any given time, you can Advertise to them and measure the actual return through a visit. Next of course, will be adding in the transaction. 

Facebook's Offline Conversions already does that to a point where transactions are over Mobile.

It's all pretty brilliant really.

streamabout.com

YouTube overtakes TV for 18-34 year olds. No surprise unless you're in the TV Propaganda Dept.

YouTube is bigger than TV and they're going to prove it.

A study due later this week, will take data from Comscore and BARB to show that YouTube reaches more 18-34 year old Brits, than any other commercial TV Channel. It's based on an analysis of 'monthly averages' in Q1 2016.

YouGov in a survey of 16-34 year olds recently showed that 41% would pick YouTube over TV (only 27% prefer TV). 58% found things they are passionate about on YouTube....but if you've kids, you'll know that already. Common sense. 

There are 190 YouTube UK Channels with more than 1 Million subscribers each - a +50% jump on last year. Simply because it's obviously easy to find what you're looking for on YouTube and not on scheduled, linear TV.

So if you want to reach this younger, important demographic, you need to switch advertising money off TV and onto YouTube.

And if you want to be active on YouTube, get a video!

Streamabout.com

What we're listening to - Air 'Moon Safari'

At the time, Air's 'Moon Safari' changed everything in 1998.

It was really the first 'Lounge' breakthrough Album from the French Versailles duo debut - Nicolas Godin and Jean Dunckel - and from a country not terribly well known for its modern trippy music. More Charles Aznavour.

The style was duplicated so many times, including to a point, by Daft Punk, but it's the typical sound of say a 'Cafe Del Mar' Ibiza chillout Album thing, that deluged the planet. The 'Buddha Bar' collection etc. etc.

It was the same year as Massive 'Mezzanine', Norman Cook 'You've come a long way baby', Mercury Rev 'Deserters Song' so you get the scene. 

(Indeed, the unforgettable Garth Brooks Double Live Album came out then too, which no doubt you treasure.)

This was Electronica and 'robot pop' in a world of 'Dance' albums and sampling, but Air were inspired by Pink Floyd and you can hear that on the record.

Recorded in Paris and the Strings were recorded at Abbey Road. 

It's jazzy, techno pop, but hypnotically very laid back and probably, romantic in a very French way. If any of that makes sense. It's an Album to chill too in other words and sometimes therefore, criticised as 'wallpaper' by the lads. 

The Streamabout girls liked it because they could concentrate whilst working ("instead of that rock stuff you play!"). Yep, Phil Collins come to mind....see what I mean?

At the time, there's no doubt it became a feature of every cool coffee house and restaurant. Starbucks would have played it, we're sure of that. You couldn't get a skinny mocha lata latte, without it playing as you paid.

The Band never really did much after this but there again, are probably still living on the royalties of what was, a worldwide smash. 

The best known tracks are 'Sexy Boy', 'Kelly watch the stars' and the excellent 'All I need'. It's definitely one to consider and like a lot of 'classics', it's of a time. 

Little doubt though, that it was genius and still is.

Fire it up below and you'll know quickly after it starts.

Previous "listen to's" you'll also find on this blog (you can search them in the Search top left on the Blog)......Talking Heads 'Stop Making Sense'; Lynyrd Skynyrd 'One for the road'; Marvin Gaye 'Whats Goin on'; Mercury Rev 'Deserters Songs'; Dave Matthews 'Crash'; Beyonce 'Lemonade'; Prince 'Sign O the times'; Daft Punk 'Random Access Memories'; Amy Winehouse 'Back to Black';Police 'Outlandos D'Amour'; Michael Jackson 'Off the Wall'; Carole King 'Tapestry'; Beatles 'Red Album'; Sex Pistols 'Never mind the Bollocks'; Sam Cooke 'Live at Harlem Square'; The Doors 'LA Woman'; Thin Lizzy 'Live & Dangerous'; Kendrick Lamarr 'Butterfly'; Aretha Franklin 'Amazing Grace'; Clapton '461'; Massive Attack 'Blue Lines'; The Clash 'London Calling'; Chris Isaak 'At The Filmore'; Bob Dylan 'Street Legal'; Bad Company 'Straight Shooter'; Jackson Browne 'Love is Strange'; Lou Reed 'Transformer'; Steely Dan 'AJA'; Stones 'Black+Blue'; Stephen Bishop 'Careless'; Nils Lofgren 'Night after Night'; Mike Oldfield 'Tubular Bells'; Neil Young 'Harvest'; Led Zep '4'; David Bowie 'David Live'; Van Morrison 'It's too late to stop now'; Wings 'Band on the Run'; Rod Stewart 'Atlantic Crossing'; Ryan Adams 'Heartbreaker'; Santana 'Essential'; Bob Dylan 'Desire'; Roxy Music 'For your pleasure'; Bob Marley 'Legend'; Stephen Fretwell 'Magpie'; James Taylor 'Sweet Baby James'; Deep Purple 'Machine Head'; Springsteen 'Darkness on the edge of town'; Leon Bridges 'Coming Home'; Eagles 'Hotel California'; Jungle; Aretha 'Soul Queen'; Neil Young 'After the Goldrush' ; Zappa 'Overnite Sensation'; Fleetwood Mac 'Rumours'; Keith Jarrett 'Koln Concert'; Doobies 'Southbound'; Stevie Earle 'I feel Alright'; Tom Waits 'Closing Time'; Pink Floyd 'Dark Side'; Van Morrison 'Moondance'; Eric Church 'Caught in the Act'; Randy Newman 'Little Criminals'; Elton John 'Madman across the water'; Patti Smith 'Horses'; Doobies 'Captain and Me'; Steely Dan 'Can't Buy a Thrill'.

Gawker's Bankruptcy is not about Press Freedom.

Gawker's filing for bankruptcy is on foot of the judgement against it for $140m in the Hulk Hogan case. Gawker intends to appeal.

It was an invasion of privacy action which may have other knock-on affects to US publishers and supposedly, bankrolled by Peter Thiel who was in turn, 'outed' by Gawker previously in 2007.  

It is seemingly facing a "barrage" of law suits.

It's Chapter 11 bankruptcy which allows Gawker not to pay the $140m whilst it pursues potential buyers or other arrangements. It was founded in 2002.

Let us all not scream Press Freedoms and understand that most publishers are private businesses driven largely by Advertising. In order to achieve more Advertising, they need more audiences. And in order to do that, more salacious stories to attract those audiences. In return, they make profits for themselves.

But that cannot include demeaning other people to achieve it.

They had in 2015, a rumoured €44m in revenues and 260 employees. More than 100m unique visitors a month, generating profits of circa 4-8 million a year. 

The sad part of this story is of course, those employees. Nothing else.

Streamabout.com

Mobile Digital Video +30% Growth says Business Insider.

A new Business Insider report is showing that Video on mobile is exploding.

They estimate over the next 5 years video ads will grow +30% yoy estimating revenues of 13 Billion usd in 2020 (3.5 Billion 2015).

It will therefore be the fastest growing digital segment.

79% of marketers polled by Reuters, have already said that they plan to invest more in video. IAB reports massive increases in video viewing to 63 million a month too.

Social Media (YouTube, Snapchat, Twitter, Facebook particularly) have been key in getting videos out to an audience and these will grow. Video is ideal for Social. Native Ads too, featuring video with traditional publishers will also push things along.

So you need Video to get onboard.

Streamabout.com 

Microsoft buys LinkedIn. 26 Billion. Cash.

Short Blog, Big news today.


Microsoft is buying LinkedIn.

26 Billion usd. All cash. 

It's a huge deal and brings Microsoft into Social as well as their core software business. LinkedIn shares are soaring today.

Extraordinary. 

What we're listening to. Talking Heads 'Stop Making Sense'.

Talking Heads were formed in 1975 and ran until 1991 under largely, the creative guidance of David Byrne. 

Generally as part of a New York punk scene but the Band is more avant-garde than that. Probably more 'new wave' (Devo, The Ramones, Blondie). 

The name comes from the typical on camera video interview of just a person to camera - a talking head. 

Stop Making Sense is actually a soundtrack of recorded concert (by Johnathan Demme) from 1984 filmed over 3 nights in a theatre in Hollywood, as the Band were promoting their 'Speaking in Tongues' Album. David Byrne is very visual in a Japanese inspired oversized suit.

'Psycho Killer' is here and it's a classic. 'Burning down the house', 'Once in a lifetime' (you may find yourself...) and perhaps the best Talking Heads song of all, 'Take me to the river'. But there's too much to enjoy.

It's a superb record and as live adds a rawness that only a Band like this could create. You'll see that it starts with just Byrne on stage and then the band fills in. It's also one of the great rock movies of all time.

Stunning in every way. It stops you to listen and the younger Streamabout crew were impressed by something that they'd "never heard the like of before". It's that kinda' thing. Makes you listen to work it out. 

Add it. Get it. 

Previous "listen to's" you'll also find on this blog (you can search them in the Search top left on the Blog)......Lynyrd Skynyrd 'One for the road'; Marvin Gaye 'Whats goin on'; Mercury Rev 'Deserters Songs'; Dave Matthews 'Crash'; Beyonce 'Lemonade'; Prince 'Sign O the times'; Daft Punk 'Random Access Memories'; Amy Winehouse 'Back to Black';Police 'Outlandos D'Amour'; Michael Jackson 'Off the Wall'; Carole King 'Tapestry'; Beatles 'Red Album'; Sex Pistols 'Never mind the Bollocks'; Sam Cooke 'Live at Harlem Square'; The Doors 'LA Woman'; Thin Lizzy 'Live & Dangerous'; Kendrick Lamarr 'Butterfly'; Aretha Franklin 'Amazing Grace'; Clapton '461'; Massive Attack 'Blue Lines'; The Clash 'London Calling'; Chris Isaak 'At The Filmore'; Bob Dylan 'Street Legal'; Bad Company 'Straight Shooter'; Jackson Browne 'Love is Strange'; Lou Reed 'Transformer'; Steely Dan 'AJA'; Stones 'Black+Blue'; Stephen Bishop 'Careless'; Nils Lofgren 'Night after Night'; Mike Oldfield 'Tubular Bells'; Neil Young 'Harvest'; Led Zep '4'; David Bowie 'David Live'; Van Morrison 'It's too late to stop now'; Wings 'Band on the Run'; Rod Stewart 'Atlantic Crossing'; Ryan Adams 'Heartbreaker'; Santana 'Essential'; Bob Dylan 'Desire'; Roxy Music 'For your pleasure'; Bob Marley 'Legend'; Stephen Fretwell 'Magpie'; James Taylor 'Sweet Baby James'; Deep Purple 'Machine Head'; Springsteen 'Darkness on the edge of town'; Leon Bridges 'Coming Home'; Eagles 'Hotel California'; Jungle; Aretha 'Soul Queen'; Neil Young 'After the Goldrush' ; Zappa 'Overnite Sensation'; Fleetwood Mac 'Rumours'; Keith Jarrett 'Koln Concert'; Doobies 'Southbound'; Stevie Earle 'I feel Alright'; Tom Waits 'Closing Time'; Pink Floyd 'Dark Side'; Van Morrison 'Moondance'; Eric Church 'Caught in the Act'; Randy Newman 'Little Criminals'; Elton John 'Madman across the water'; Patti Smith 'Horses'; Doobies 'Captain and Me'; Steely Dan 'Can't Buy a Thrill'.

Up Periscope

Or 'Scope' if you're down with the kids.

Excellent platform that allows you to broadcast live from your phone about whatever. Last night we picked up on a house fire live from Cork (yep, all safe) and an excellent DJ Scratch set from Brooklyn. 

But there's lots of really interesting stuff that eats into your battery. Live sports too although it found itself in hot water with the NFL over copyright. The UFC too had to issue 'take down' notices as fans broadcasted fights live.

Indeed you can broadcast corporate events but frankly, it doesn't fit with the audience really......

It's owned by Twitter and that gives you options to share feeds. It started as a news feed in 2013 for showing protests in Istanbul but it has developed into more Social since Twitter took over (or bought it for something rumoured to be circa 50 million usd).

Highly recommended by Streamabout. (And no, no one asked us or paid us to say that. Unfortunately!). 

What we're listening to. Lynyrd Skynyrd 'One for the Road'

Now this is one for the roof down, summer sun. Classic Southern Rock (the Band were from Florida) and a live Album from 1976. They were always known as a scorching live Band.

Of course, the Band were famous for 'Freebird' (it's here) and actually better 'Sweet Home Alabama' written in response to Neil Young's 'Southern Man' ("well I hope Neil Young does remember, Southern man don't need him around, anyhow"). It's here too.

Other tracks to look out for are 'Tuesday's Gone', 'Gimme three steps', 'Call me the breeze' and 'Give me a T for Texas'....but it's all fairly rocking. Bit of a classic.

Lead singer Ronnie Van Zandt, Steve Gaines and Cassie Gaines were of course, all killed in a plane crash subsequently (obviously) in 1977. Maybe it's an urban myth, but we always heard that Ronnie survived the crash and crawled to a house where he was shot dead by a disturbed neighbour.

Officially, they were travelling from a gig in South Carolina to Louisana in a private charter, a Convair (so reminiscent of the great Stevie Ray after a Clapton gig too).

They ran out of fuel (the fuel gauge malfunctioned) and crashed after attempting an emergency landing, but clipped some trees, in Mississippi. 

6 were killed, 20 survived. The plane was to be bought by Aerosmith but rejected by them, because of lack of confidence in the aircraft and the crew. 

But reading the NTSB Report, it's likely that it was a combination of poor flight planning causing them to run out of fuel.

Still, get the record.

And we know you might not agree but we love this version by Kid Rock with the Band, of Warren Zevon's 'Werewolves' and 'Sweet home' but notably this live version. At 3.27 the hairs stand up. Turn it up!

Previous "listen to's" you'll also find on this blog (you can search them in the Search top left on the Blog)......Marvin Gaye 'Whats goin on'; Mercury Rev 'Deserters Songs'; Dave Matthews 'Crash'; Beyonce 'Lemonade'; Prince 'Sign O the times'; Daft Punk 'Random Access Memories'; Amy Winehouse 'Back to Black';Police 'Outlandos D'Amour'; Michael Jackson 'Off the Wall'; Carole King 'Tapestry'; Beatles 'Red Album'; Sex Pistols 'Never mind the Bollocks'; Sam Cooke 'Live at Harlem Square'; The Doors 'LA Woman'; Thin Lizzy 'Live & Dangerous'; Kendrick Lamarr 'Butterfly'; Aretha Franklin 'Amazing Grace'; Clapton '461'; Massive Attack 'Blue Lines'; The Clash 'London Calling'; Chris Isaak 'At The Filmore'; Bob Dylan 'Street Legal'; Bad Company 'Straight Shooter'; Jackson Browne 'Love is Strange'; Lou Reed 'Transformer'; Steely Dan 'AJA'; Stones 'Black+Blue'; Stephen Bishop 'Careless'; Nils Lofgren 'Night after Night'; Mike Oldfield 'Tubular Bells'; Neil Young 'Harvest'; Led Zep '4'; David Bowie 'David Live'; Van Morrison 'It's too late to stop now'; Wings 'Band on the Run'; Rod Stewart 'Atlantic Crossing'; Ryan Adams 'Heartbreaker'; Santana 'Essential'; Bob Dylan 'Desire'; Roxy Music 'For your pleasure'; Bob Marley 'Legend'; Stephen Fretwell 'Magpie'; James Taylor 'Sweet Baby James'; Deep Purple 'Machine Head'; Springsteen 'Darkness on the edge of town'; Leon Bridges 'Coming Home'; Eagles 'Hotel California'; Jungle; Aretha 'Soul Queen'; Neil Young 'After the Goldrush' ; Zappa 'Overnite Sensation'; Fleetwood Mac 'Rumours'; Keith Jarrett 'Koln Concert'; Doobies 'Southbound'; Stevie Earle 'I feel Alright'; Tom Waits 'Closing Time'; Pink Floyd 'Dark Side'; Van Morrison 'Moondance'; Eric Church 'Caught in the Act'; Randy Newman 'Little Criminals'; Elton John 'Madman across the water'; Patti Smith 'Horses'; Doobies 'Captain and Me'; Steely Dan 'Can't Buy a Thrill'.

Food glorious Food. It's big on Video

Food videos attracted 23 Billion Video Views last year (mostly on YouTube and Facebook) according to data published in The Financial Times. Pinterest of course is huge on Food (and Fashion) as indeed is Instagram. 

So popular are they, that a threat from the BBC to remove them from its website (as part of an effort to save £15m a year) saw 100,000 people sign a protest petition.

Streamabout knows that too, Cooking delivers high audiences on video and recipes are replayed/shared a lot.

It's a category that's ideal for grocery retail through showing the recipe video and then delivering the ingredients on a click through. Or indeed any complementary products (wine, water, tableware, coffee, safe food organisations, brands looking for conviviality and so on).

Food video are huge. And they're going to be huge...r.

What we're listening to. Marvin Gaye 'What's goin on?'

1971 and in fact Marvin's 11th but most influential Album.

It's really a concept Album about a Vietnam Vet (his bother, Frankie) returning home and seeing only injustice. "What's going on?" is a reflection of the race issues in America at the time and The Watts riots of 1965 deeply affected him.

It's a landmark Album with few getting the same critical acclaim and nearly always in the top 5 albums of all time. 

Gaye had been suffering from depression, cocaine addiction and a suicide attempt but in the early 70's was getting his act together. Including a Football career with The NFL (Detroit Lions).

"What's Goin on" was the first single and it went hugely well followed by "Mercy Mercy Me" bringing the Album into the spotlight. It's jazz and it's gospel but for us, the whole Album (short as it is) is just a masterpiece.

What you may not know is the story of Marvin's death in 1984 on April 1st.

Whilst he was talking to his Mother at their home, he was shot by his Father, also Marvin Gaye Snr (a pentecostal church minister), twice, proving instantly fatal. His father received a suspended sentence because in part, Marvin had drugs in his system and a long record of behavioural issues. 

He had been back on Cocaine but it was the end of a long time feud with his Dad. Marvin talked about being brutally whipped by his father and was beaten very often, his mother later confirmed. 

Sad end to a legend and we could equally have included the 'Let's get it on' Album (1973) here too. Beautiful.

Previous "listen to's" you'll also find on this blog (you can search them in the Search top left on the Blog)......Mercury Rev 'Deserters Songs'; Dave Matthews 'Crash'; Beyonce 'Lemonade'; Prince 'Sign O the times'; Daft Punk 'Random Access Memories'; Amy Winehouse 'Back to Black';Police 'Outlandos D'Amour'; Michael Jackson 'Off the Wall'; Carole King 'Tapestry'; Beatles 'Red Album'; Sex Pistols 'Never mind the Bollocks'; Sam Cooke 'Live at Harlem Square'; The Doors 'LA Woman'; Thin Lizzy 'Live & Dangerous'; Kendrick Lamarr 'Butterfly'; Aretha Franklin 'Amazing Grace'; Clapton '461'; Massive Attack 'Blue Lines'; The Clash 'London Calling'; Chris Isaak 'At The Filmore'; Bob Dylan 'Street Legal'; Bad Company 'Straight Shooter'; Jackson Browne 'Love is Strange'; Lou Reed 'Transformer'; Steely Dan 'AJA'; Stones 'Black+Blue'; Stephen Bishop 'Careless'; Nils Lofgren 'Night after Night'; Mike Oldfield 'Tubular Bells'; Neil Young 'Harvest'; Led Zep '4'; David Bowie 'David Live'; Van Morrison 'It's too late to stop now'; Wings 'Band on the Run'; Rod Stewart 'Atlantic Crossing'; Ryan Adams 'Heartbreaker'; Santana 'Essential'; Bob Dylan 'Desire'; Roxy Music 'For your pleasure'; Bob Marley 'Legend'; Stephen Fretwell 'Magpie'; James Taylor 'Sweet Baby James'; Deep Purple 'Machine Head'; Springsteen 'Darkness on the edge of town'; Leon Bridges 'Coming Home'; Eagles 'Hotel California'; Jungle; Aretha 'Soul Queen'; Neil Young 'After the Goldrush' ; Zappa 'Overnite Sensation'; Fleetwood Mac 'Rumours'; Keith Jarrett 'Koln Concert'; Doobies 'Southbound'; Stevie Earle 'I feel Alright'; Tom Waits 'Closing Time'; Pink Floyd 'Dark Side'; Van Morrison 'Moondance'; Eric Church 'Caught in the Act'; Randy Newman 'Little Criminals'; Elton John 'Madman across the water'; Patti Smith 'Horses'; Doobies 'Captain and Me'; Steely Dan 'Can't Buy a Thrill'.

Advertising and Sales. And the nonsense that's talked about them.

There's a lot of talk by well, 'experts', about directly relating TV advertising to Sales and therefore, suggesting some form of ROI (Return on Investment). In other words, adding Science to Advertising in an attempt to prove that one medium works better than another. 

They tend to talk about 'models' and 'data' bundled up in theories that appear intelligent, because they sound it, but that's all it is. Mostly, Snake Oil.

Of course, most of these 'studies' by expert companies, aren't done just "off the cuff" to fill in time, but rather, commissioned by Clients who want to make one point or another for their own gain. Without usually, disclosing who those Clients are, who paid for the study. 

So always ask, "Why am I being told this?".

The other problem of course, is that Advertisers are highly unlikely to give actual sales by day to anyone on which these studies are supposedly based. It's hugely competitive information and equates to the Third secret of Fatima in confidentiality. Rightly so.

So do not be fooled by a big brand Consultancy offering "Studies"....there's always a reason. And after all, if you commission a 'study' you expect the result you paid for, don't you?

Fundamentally, Advertising V Sales is flawed. 

Nothing whatsoever to do with the debate around TV Advertising Versus Others (normally it's focused on Digital), but the very notion that you can correlate Advertising directly to Sales, simply cannot be done and never has been. Ever.

If you knew that secret, you'd be extremely wealthy because it's the Holy Grail of Advertising. And remains so.

The argument goes that if you spend one pound on X advertising medium, you get two pounds back - and if that was truly proven, who wouldn't spend it all? 

Think about that. If that was true, you'd spend all you had, because you'd be guaranteed Sales.

But you can't be. 

Nobody will promise that, even after their "studies". Why not ask those experts to give you that Sales guarantee?.....try.

So Does Advertising Sell? Yes, of course it does. 
But how? Well, We just don't know.

Simply, because there's such a myriad of factors that affects Sales - and Advertising is only one.

It all revolves (if you want the Science) in how the Demand and Supply curves interact and shift around the equilibrium. There's a bit of Economics for you....and if you can understand the Supply/Demand Graphic above (thanks economicshelp.org) you understand everything. 

Advertising is only ONE factor.

What that means, is you have to determine all the factors affecting Demand (Sales)? And, what therefore, are the factors affecting Supply? And, how do they relate to each other? 

When one changes, the other does too - so it's fluid or dynamic.

The first and primary objective of Advertising is to inform. To show consumers what you have "for sale". 

Succinctly referred to as, "I see it, I like it, I buy it". General awareness if you like, because if people don't know it's there, they won't look for it.

The right Ad, to the right people, in the right place, at the right time.

You're looking for a Car. Up pops an Ad telling you about a great Car, ideal for what you're looking for and you'll probably buy it because now, you know about it. Or you will the next time you're looking.

Or, an Ad for a magical new TV because yours is falling apart.
Or, a drink because you're thirsty.

Information at the right time to the right person.

Advertising works in part, because the more you inform people (and presuming your product is something they want anyway), they'll buy it, because they now know it's there. Awareness.

You can of course, make a good stab at measuring awareness through pre and post unprompted recall of an Ad, but awareness uplifts in themselves, are one component of Sales only. 

Certainly, the more you create awareness/inform, means that the Advertiser with the bigger marketing pockets should nearly always, win on the awareness battle. 

Look at the past success of the big brand builders, the deep-pocketed multinationals, as an example of that. 

But the problem is, that other issues impact those Sales, hamper the Demand for those products despite your Advertising. 

Here's some of those issues;

Price impacts on Sales. Reduce your price and normally, you'll sell more, (Or, Higher prices means Demand falls). Lower price means higher volumes (not always, but most of the time) and look at Ryanair as an example of that. Using their profits to reduce fares to generate more Sales. They know lower fares means more Sales.

(An aside - You can't go lower than 'free', which eventually, Ryanair will. I think that's a brilliant ambition of theirs to fly for free and take margin from other stuff like airport fees, baggage fees etc).

Income impacts on Sales. Recent recessions show that. Notwithstanding your excellent product, superb Advertising skills and your terrific price, if people can't afford it, they won't buy it. Incomes affect Demand and that fall in Incomes can be unforeseen because it may simply be a consumers lack of future economic confidence that quickly enters the market. (Poor Expectations). 

Experience impacts on Repeat Sales. Consumers only buy once. If they like it, they'll buy it again...so does the product live up to the promise? And in these days if it doesn't, watch out on Social Media because other consumers will know quickly. So Product Quality is a part of this. There's no amount of Advertising that will sell a poor product, twice.

Taste/Fashion impacts on Sales. Tastes change quickly and so does Fashion. So, if there are concerns about say Health (obesity or diabetes) in the general public awareness and you're selling high sugar drinks, you've got a problem all of a sudden. Demand will drop. 

Or if, somebody very fashionable (Ms. Kardashian for example) likes your product/brand, you could be on a winner, today. PR has a function here obviously in creating that new 'trend'. 

Competitors impact on Sales. Their activity might impact yours. Say they reduce their prices lower than yours quickly in the middle of your Advertising campaign? And keep doing it? Same product (ish) at a lower price, then most consumers will probably, switch away from yours. Or say a competitor copies your product at a lower price? Apple V Samsung.

Weather impacts on Sales. Sunny days sell Ice Cream, but holiday sales drop off. Sunny days kill retail footfall traffic generally. Actually ironically, a good sunny agricultural 'harvest' will mean a glut and that will mean prices will fall. Over supply. So your best laid Advertising plans can be affected by the weather. 

I know of one large DVD Rental Retailer who based their Advertising on Weather. A bad rainy day = more DVD rentals as people stayed home.

Supply impacts on Sales. The more accessible your product is (the easier it is to buy), the more you'll sell. Look at the example of online shopping Versus Bricks and Mortar stores. It's easier to buy online. So 8 of the top 10 UK retailers last year were online shops. Grocery Sales are driven by convenience for example.

In some cases a lack of supply (shortage) may also create pent-up demand, an old Apple trick, but generally good Supply impacts good Sales.

Creative impacts everything. Some Ads just work better than others. We don't know why but we know from experience, what tends to work better than others. It's that experience that brings you to hire experienced Ad Agencies.

Better Creative, means more demand, means more Sales. 

Look at Levi Jeans "Launderette" at the time, from John Hegarty at BBH. Denim was a poor, overpriced, under selling product but that commercial had it walking off the shelves. Famous brands have been built on famous creative for that reason (Audi, Guinness, Coke....).

Media impacts on Sales. Analysis of what spots went where at what time. If the Media buying isn't up scratch in other words or indeed, the Media Planning, then your Advertising will not be as effective.

And when all of these factors combine, they impact on each other. 

So it changes. 

Sales change because price changes, incomes fall and rise, weather changes, competitors respond, supply changes (high demand means out of stock) and on and on we go. The Demand and Supply Curves shift to keep trying to find the equilibrium which in reality, they never do. 

To suggest therefore, that Advertising alone, let alone TV Advertising, can be directly linked to Sales is a nonsense. 

Yes it works, but because of awareness....but awareness alone is never enough.  
You cannot isolate Advertising and relate it to Sales because there's too much at work here. Too many factors.

You can of course, surely argue about TV advertising Versus Digital Video as to which is better at reaching an audience at an optimum cost (reach and frequency) and that's legitimate. They're all Advertising mediums and arguable.

But trying to make Advertising a Science, is not legit.
Because actually, it's an Art.

Nobody knows why it works and why it works best.
Never has, never will.

Streamabout.com

The TV Versus Digital Debate. Ad Age comes into it.

A great follow-upper to our Blog of yesterday which created a good stir (and thanks to Camillus O'Brien for pointing this out), is a story in Ad Age, the 'Bible' of Ad Agency land.

It's an excellent piece and we don't want to criticise it but (isn't there always).... the headline is 'TV Budgets shifting to Social? Yes, it's time to worry' and the "yes, it's time to worry" bit, clearly shows the readers concerns about Digital. Whereas, there's nothing to worry about here at all folks.

The sub-head is the crux of the story - "The growing video businesses of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat, pose a viable alternative to TV' - and that's what we've been saying. 

But it's a breakthrough to read that on Ad Age. Warms the heart.

The overall point of the story, is that for media buyers who want to reach the optimum audience, a combination of Social and TV gets it done rather than, TV on its own.

In the US over 70 billion usd will be spent on TV Advertising whereas Facebook will generate circa 2 Billion usd. A "trickle" right now but "that trickle can very easily become a strong flow". And so it should because Advertising money follows Audiences. 

The Ad Age conclusions are based on some facts or thoughts;

1. The growing availability of Social Video Ads. A rise in Social Media inventory and new video opportunities on Digital, encourages growth.

2. Strong Demographics and Reach on Social. The infamous quote that there's a TV Superbowl audience on Facebook every day and there is, means Social is delivering a TV equivalent audience. Facebook had 83.3 million unique viewers in March 2016, Google 182.2m. 

That's higher than a lot of TV stations. Most, even.

3. Advertisers prepared to spend on Digital. So the switch from TV Dollars to Video Ads is happening already, albeit in a small way but the intent, procedure is there.

4. Video Ads are moving towards TV style measurement. All 4 major Social platforms have enlisted Nielsen to verify online viewing so shortly, they'll be TV comparable.

5. The push for Live streaming. Which in itself, will bring TV advertising style opportunities notably around live sports - the now critical earners for TV networks. So this is a threat to TV viewing because as live sports are watched online, traditional TV audiences will diminish further.

6. The growing importance for Social Video to advertisers. They see it working, they know it works, they've dipped their toes. The 30 second TV spot is over with viewers happily prepared to watch longer form online video.

But a fair piece that really brings the whole debate into the open and is reassuringly positive. As we said yesterday, one is not a substitute for the other. They both work but best in tandem.

Full marks to Ad Age. 
And we never thought we'd be saying that.

Online Video Ads? That's streamabout.com too. Now there's an Ad.


Here's the full story (sorry, you'll have to cut+paste) 

http://adage.com/article/digitalnext/tv-budgets-shifting-social-time-worry/304078/?utm_source=digital_email&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=adage&ttl=1464627625