"We've finally got blogging under our belt and communications specialists are using this real-time interface to track and influence thinking," he says adding that people are currently using blogging technology to create audio blogs that are sent via news feeds to inboxes around the globe. "When radio talk show-guru Howard Stern commented that internet radio was the future, he probably hadn't begun to think about voice blogging where people become their own content producers," he says.
For Edwards, keeping a finger on the pulse of technology is the key to Platypus Productions' competitive advantage. "It's good to know we're considered great guys to work with but I believe it is our use of new media that gives us the edge. We are currently reviewing software that simplifies production processes with a great cost saving to our clients. The prevalence of Vlogs or video blogs are considered such a risk to television journalism that media industry chat rooms are jammed with discussions about them. At the end of the day it's all about content and not technology and that's where we win," he says.
They have noticed some of the new developments on the entertainment front and observed where these new developments can be utilized as marketing tools for clients. "Playboy's ingenious iBod, which delivers Playboy models to iPod Photo, Apple's new-generation image gallery, has taken off in a big way. Mobisodes, one-minute programme episodes for viewing on 3G-enabled mobile phones is also happening. Already spin-off episodes of '24' are available to Vodaphone users while Twentieth Television is producing Mobisodes of 'Love and Hate' and 'Sunset Hotel'," he says.
Stanley Edwards shared his insights with a New Media Demystified presentation to advertising and marketing agencies last year and can be contacted at Stanley@platypus.co.za or Tel: +27 +21 423-7245.
