The summary of my rabbit hole conversation with big media company and how they see digital vs linear
By @sshadmand
Them: Linear does not easily show ROI, we are slaves to Neilson and the data isn’t even accurate. – Digital has a definite ROI we can track.
Me: Is getting digital traffic and market appeal your #1 focus then?
Them: No, we don’t drive search and discovery towards digital nearly as much as linear
Me: Why?
Them: Because digital doesn’t make good money
Me: Why?
Them: Digital doesn’t get good value on ads or have enough ad fill compared to linear so there is less money
Me: Why not?
Them: becuase advertiser don’t spend there money on digital
Me: Why not?
Them: because there isn’t enough traffic going there with the right type of viewers?
Me: Do you know why there is a difference in veiwer types or know exactly what types of veiwers are on each?
Them: No.
Me: Do you try to drive the users you do like or want to digital?
Them: No.
Me: Why not?
Them: because there isn’t money there
Me: Is there ad roll in streaming video on digital?
Them: Yes
Me: Can you track ROI and metric/conversions easily in digital?
Them: Yes
Me: What is the retention on digital for vistors to streaming and non streaming video?
Them: Very high
Me: Why don’t you push people toward digital that you have ROI metrics on that you can push?
Them: Becuase there isn’t as much money in digital…
—Start over from top
Funny thing is as I looked at them like they are on crazy pills, they looked at me the same way. I think the next big media company will be one with less to lose so they can open their eyes at taking the necessary risks needed to evolve into the new market. Maybe Yahoo studios?