Perception Analyzer Dial.Log

Medius Overwhemlus

I think it was the addition of 3000 podcasts to iTunes that finally put me over the edge.  With limited non-working, non-sleeping, non-parenting and non-husbanding hours in the day, there is now way too much media available.  In addition to 3000 podcasts (plus all the others not available through iTunes) there are millions of blogs, countless other websites, hundreds of cable and satellite TV channels, hundreds more satellite radio stations and good old terrestrial radio, print magazines and newspapers.  It has not only become stressful to decide what media to consume, but it has also become stressful to think about how much I'm missing.

So, the question is, when will the bubble burst?  When will people become so overwhelmed by what's available that they start resisting it?  I'm starting to feel that urge for the first time and I'm not sure what to do with it.

TiVo-proofing Commercials

In an effort to make television commercials effective even when seen through a DVR in fast-forward mode, research firm Frank N. Magid Associates suggests the following:

• Give an ad the "fast-forward test" to be sure "if people fast-forward they can decipher what's going on"
• Use more text which can often be more effective in the no-sound environment of fast-forward
• "Focus for longer periods on interesting images rather than quickly cutting from image to image"
• "Graphics should be placed on the screen where the DVR fast-forwarding bar isn’t covering the screen"

This Media Life article (from where the above recommendations came) also contains other stats on DVR viewing habits gleaned from a Magid online study.

via [Lost Remote]