The AOL Hudsucker Proxy

So some would say, that someone should make a movie about the last two years of AOL, sinceJon Miller was ousted...well they did...it's called the Hudsucker Proxy...

Miller would be Waring Hudsucker

Falco would be Sidney Mussburger

Grant would be Norville Barnes

The basic premise, Hudsucker who had led Hudsucker Industries to major success, dies (or is ousted), the company is taken over by a misplaced ruthless and faceless leader Sidney Mussburger, who's downfall, is an employee, Norville Barnes who rises in the empire even though he has no experience, and fails at everything he does.

"When Waring Hudsucker, head of hugely successful Hudsucker Industries, commits suicide, his board of directors, led by Sidney Mussberger, comes up with a brilliant plan to make a lot of money: appoint a moron to run the company. When the stock falls low enough, Sidney and friends can buy it up for pennies on the dollar, take over the company, and restore its fortunes. They choose idealistic Norville Barnes, who just started in the mail room. Norville is whacky enough to drive any company to ruin, but soon, tough reporter Amy Archer smells a rat and begins an undercover investigation of Hudsucker Industries."

Amazing coincidence, or is this all a plot? Someone get Oliver Stone on the Phone!!!!

AT&T sucks but can I give up the iPhone?

I have an iPhone...I ran out and got it three days after they came out, and yes it's sexy, it still makes me think it's the best phone out there but there's one problem, AT&T sucks!

With my iPhone I do the following on a regular basis:

1: Listen to music

2: Make calls (obviously)

3: Use the visual voice mail

4: Automatically synch my calendar with my laptop

5: Text messages

6: Check my stocks

7: Check the weather, (at the moment I track weather in 10 cities around the world)

8: Check Facebook

9: I have 28 "apps" on the phone, from games to Bloomberg finance

I0: I have thousands of photos on the phone, some from my laptop and most taken on the phone.

11: Surf the web

12: Watch TV shows

13: Check maps, especially in NY

14: Use the alarm

15: I keep notes

16:Synch my contacts with my laptop

What I don't do on the iPhone... watch You Tube videos, or mail, the mail sucks on the iPhone, I have a Blackberry just for that.

So can I give up the 16 above points to replace the crappy AT&T service?  I repeatedly get dropped calls, bad lines, late voice mails, or no service at all.  Verizon is much better in my opinion as a network.

I'm on the fence...I love my iPhone but is there a better option out there????

Is Apple the next big media company?

As many of you will know, I am a huge Applephile.  Have been ever since we got the very first Apple MacIntosh in the offices of "Coming Next Magazine" in Newcastle many many years ago.  Over the past ten years Apple has gone from a provider of high end computers to people in the graphics community, to being one of the strongest brands in the world.

Apple has transformed itself into a company that is responsible for delivering the majority of people their digital media. They still make amazing computers, but with the advent of the iPod they literally revolutionized the music industry, then providing TV on the iPod and movies, iTunes, Apple TV, and now delivering High Def programming and films for rent off iTunes, they are the conduit to everyone's digital future.

If you can deliver the goods, have a brand that people not only trust, but also covet, then why don't you start to make the content as well?  I believe that the company could become a media giant making, distributing, and owning content. They'll still have to distribute very else's content, but if Apple can package their goods so well, imagine how well they would package their programming.

Apple's ubiquitous presence in millions of peoples lives through computers, iPods, cell phones make them the most connected company out there. Other media companies have some elements, but Apples is the digital Valhalla!

Reflections of time past, the internet wins!

I am stealing this from Nick Carlson at Silicon Alley, but it really does tell the story...in one photo, newspapers are dead, long live the internet!

Tim A gives AOL a much needed boost!

Yesterday AOL new CEO Tim Armstrong gave AOL employees a much needed boost in the arm.  First of all, instead of sitting in NY to give his first speech, he did what he should have done and headed down to Dulles to meet the troops.  For the first time in a couple of years, I talked with people from AOL who were excited, and can see someone who truly wants to build this company.  It's the right thing to do... have a leader who understands the industry you're in.

It seems that the cheering is continuing, from the announcement of Rondy's departure to the arrival of Tim A. Tim has his work cut out for him, but hopefully understands the main thing about AOL, the staff are simply brilliant, and when motivated can do anything!

So how do you turn it around?

First of all AOL has depended on sales tools and technology plays for the pst couple of years, and abandoned targeted programming.  Misguided acquisitions like BEBO need to be re-structured to play to AOL's audience. By the way, does AOL know who it's audience is?  In order to get a targeted high CPM base they need to develop sustainable habitual programming that they can drive long term large advertiser deals with.  AOL has done this before, and it can do it again through some amazing destinations like AOL music, Finance, Black Voices, and of course KOL and RED, (if it still exists). 

The big problem is talent. After the departure of Jon Miller, all of the senior executives and business innovators left the company.  Tim will need to find replacements to re-build the value proposition, because in the past two years, I cannot remember a single programming play that seemed to work, (please correct me here).

The game is on, and this next chapter of AOL will literally be make or break. The good news is, I think EVERYONE is rooting for Tim Armstrong.

New boss at AOL already getting slammed

Not that I was a huge fan of the old regime at AOL, watching them tank the company in the past two years, and god knows Tim Armstrong has his work cut out for him, so you would imagine that someone would cut him a break.  Today, Henry Blodget from Alley Insider decided to kick the guy before he's through the door!!!

I have not met Tim before, but all I hear is he's a smart guy who gets this business. Compared to the previous management, Randy Falco and Ron Grant who had never worked in the space or run a company before, Tim can only be a breath of fresh air. Tim has been on a number of shortlists, Yahoo CEO for one, he has a proven track record at building revenues, and needs to have some support walking through the door.

Mickey kicks some Jonas Bros ass!

Ok so I am stealing this link from Nikki Finke but it's just so funny... Enjoy!

Mickey kicking the crap out of the Jonas Brothers