Digiday Publishing Summit

Last chance to secure the best rate on passes is Monday, Jan. 13 | March 24-26 in Vail, CO

REGISTER

HuffPo’s Escape from Banner Commoditization

Yesterday, the Huffington Post launched its long-awaited and much talked about live video platform, Huffington Post Live. Adding another phalanx to Arianna Huffington’s media empire (which also has a news site, an iPad-only magazine, and of course, the blog), HuffPo Live looks to marry the capabilities of television with the sensibilities of the online world. While there are 100 staffers dedicated to the network, it will also rely on the two-way interactions between media and audience for content. There will be live streaming 12 hours a day, five days a week.

Aesthetically, it looks like content vomited all over the screen; video on the left, Twitter stream on the right, head spinning all around. HuffPo Live is looking to get its audience involved, perhaps setting a template for social TV, whenever the big boys (i.e., TV networks) really want to flex their muscles.

But its a smart play as the online world moves to video. While there is the live stream, the content on-demand is key for advertisers who can reach millions of people. Brands will find unconventional (at least for video) ways to advertise on the site. No in-stream ads; no video ads at all — just an introductory clip touting Verizon and Cadillac as launch sponsors. The takeaway: publishers are rushing to video (see: NYT, WSJ) to escape banner commoditization. The result? Stay tuned.

https://digiday.com/?p=19388

More in Media

AI in 2025: Five trends for marketing, media, enterprise and e-commerce

After another year of rapid AI development and experimentation, tech and marketing experts think 2025 could help move adoption beyond the testing phase.

Media Briefing: What media execs are prioritizing in 2025

This week’s Media Briefing hones in on the business areas that publishing execs say they will prioritize this year – and what they are leaving behind in 2024.

How publishers are strategizing for a second Trump administration: softer news and more social media

When Donald Trump becomes president later this month, some news publishers will have updated tactics and strategies in place to cover a second Trump administration, ranging from a focus on softer news stories to more social media monitoring and engagement.