Syndication Gumption

Microsoft and RSS Patents - Relax

It seems everyone is getting all bent out of shape about the Microsoft RSS patents. Seems a little over blown and unnecessary (must have been a slow news day). People seem must upset about the timing. Yes, it seems Microsoft was holding a knife while they patted us on the backs. Are they trying to make sure they have a stake in RSS or the benefits? Or are they trying to protect OS level processes to remain competitive against Apple (hardware OS) and Google (web OS).

Do Publishers Get Paid for Newsgator and Edelman’s “Hosted Conversations”

So I’m still very confused. Aren’t you! How does Newsgator and Edelman’s Hosted Conversation work? Is it similar to Pluck’s Blog Burst but a different end audience? So the article says:

“We’re taking something consumers are already interested in…, taking quality content from that, and putting it in one place and allowing [advertisers] to sponsor it,”

Didn’t Jason Calacanis already have issues about monetizing Weblogs, Inc syndicated content. Or is this something similar to TechMeme’s new sponsorship model where the content is the ad. I can’t tell! Can you?

Updated 12/18/06 - 11:00 PM CST.... Simple is better

Are the free web-based aggregators still trying to find a revenue model? Pluck got out of the business of free web-based aggregators. Can’t blame them. They offer syncing read/un-read status across different access methods (web, desktop client, Tivo, mobile device, etc.) and attention data to help you find new content sources. Anything else? They are helping to build branded RSS aggregators but IMHO the wrong brand (for another post related to local media and syndication).

So what is “Hosted Conversation”? With all capabilities of the Internet as an OS, will someone please post a graphic with the inputs, outputs, and ad insertions points. Why? Because either the writer does not understand the basics of syndication or the marketing/PR departments of the the two companies (one of the world’s largest PR firms) could not communicated and/or understand what they just launched. Thanks and I’m waiting. (NOTE: Before posting this article, I did not check either site for any other information.)

Updated 12/18/06 - 11:00 PM CST:

So it’s an web-display ad powered by an RSS feed. From a technology prospective, the ad serving guys can change the message(s) in the ad on the fly (dynamic messaging). Edelman is aggregating/mining feeds to find the “gems” about a brand so they can post into the ad. Rick Murray, president of Edelman’s social media division me2revolution, says “will not advise its clients to avoid posts that are critical of their brands”. Why doesn’t the brand start a blog, insert their latest post in the ad, and ask for comments? Seems like a simple way to start a conversation but complicated (i.e costly) may be better. So how do you stop ad comment spam?

HIDE

Added on: December 18, 2006 with feedback from 7 folks
Tagged as: ads , advertising , aggregation , blogs , Edelman , feeds , monetization , Newsgator , publishers , rss ,
Add to: | |

Welcome!

Syndication Gumption breaks down the current state of syndication to help publishers, marketers, and search providers get a "common sense" education on what is possible, who might be stretching the truth, and what is just plain crap. Feedback greatly appreciated.