Can't Beat 'Em? Join 'Em!

A NYT article has revealed that many media companies formerly averse to showing their content on YouTube are now taking advantage of the coverage. They are using the videos to advertise future films and other efforts.

We may finally be seeing a beginning of an end to copyright wars. Even if the videos aren't used as advertisements, they often lead to the popularity of a show or movie. Flight of the Conchords had immense viewership growth due in part to HBO's non-efforts to stop the videos from floating around YouTube. I'm all for free video in exchange for targeted media advertising. Consumer 'theft' guilt will be alleviated, and profits can be made by the media companies. Looks like a win-win situation.

Gossip Girl Makes Girls Read

Season 1 DVD of Gossip Girl is coming out, just in time to preempt the new season. Apparently, it comes with an audio book of Christina Ricci reading an abridged version of Gossip Girl book one.

Wait, seriously!? I understand abridging Les Miserables to take out the architectural details of the sewers, or the largely irrelevant information on naval warfare in Count of Monte Cristo. But what are they leaving out on the audio tape of Gossip Girl?

My guess: the riskier scenes. From what I've seen, GG on TV gets rid of the smoking and Blair's bulimia. Maybe the audio book is edited down in this way, too?

With or without the audio book, Gossip Girl book sales are through the roof. Want your teenage daughter to read more? Fill the book with drugs, alcohol, and selfish behavior.

Axiom: Content is what wins coverage or profit in the end.

All Tomorrow's Ad Campaigns: Part II

So you thought you could escape poorly crafted home videos by keeping the TV on (and away from that Bob Saget show)? Not so fast! A new service, saysme.tv, will be providing TV ad spots to anyone with $6. Basically, if you upload a video and pay a fee, it will be shown somewhere in the U.S. "Saysme" sees it as a new democratization of TV.

This news is huge. Now anyone with limited funds can advertise on TV without a bevy of legal problems to deal with. Look for 'Chocolate Rain' copycats running at 3AM on the Weather Channel. Also, check out the new Axiom commercial (jk)!

5 Things To Write on a Wall: Hacker's Guide to Facebook Galaxy

If you're a hacker, you might find a new home on the new Facebook. The developers have apparently made it easy for hacker ads to escape their filtered domain and unleash themselves all over the Facebook community. So, if you're a hacker, here's some ideas for another innocent bystander's wall:

1) Have you checked out that blog that is about you? Apparently, it's pretty bad ;( (That face is adorable). I think you and everyone should read it follow this link to deadly virus

2) YOU GOT A (CRUSH) ON YOU, CAN YOU GUESS WHO IT IS? YOU'LL BE SHOCKED, FIND OUT NOW! follow this link to deadly virus

3) Some (love the typo, hacker) thinks your special and has a hot_crush on you. Find out who it could be ;) follow this link to deadly virus

4) Check out this site i found that gives ya awsome! ring_tones. I been on here for hours lol follow this link to deadly virus

5) HAHA! this is hilarious. you have to see it! go here to yet another deadly virus


Hackers, if you come up with anything more creative, we'll make this a top 10 list instead.

Open Letter to the New Facebook

Dear New Facebook,

How do I hate thee? Let me count the ways...

1. Your format: I now have to scroll through all of my friend's applications before I get to their basic info, like email and phone number. I don't care if Alyssa has "Pirates vs. Ninjas", or if Greg has "superGift!". I just want to talk to them. Like a person.

2. Non-collapsable newsfeed: Finding out that my friend across the country is attending "Erin's 21st!!!" isn't at the top of my agenda.

3. Strange men friending me based on my picture. I miss the privacy of the old Facebook!

4. Most importantly, I hate that you didn't take the time to prevent phishing scams like facelibook. I realized today that this site is still not blocked by Safari. Sure, this may be coming soon, but the patch will most likely not be able to predict future phishing scams.

The good news is that we can remember a simpler facebook by clicking a button on the upper right, "return to Old Facebook". May this button last forever.

In Hopes of Better Facebook Times,

The Last Unicorn

Breaking Records

Not only were the Olympic Opening Ceremonies the most watched ever, but NBC is now reporting the most viewers for the Olympic Games in 18 years. During Michael Phelps record-breaking 8th Gold Medal win on Saturday night, NBC reported an average of 31.1 million viewers, the most for a Saturday night program since 1990.

Despite continued reports including staged production in the opening ceremonies, questions about the Chinese gymnasts' ages, and questionable human-rights practices in China, the Olympics continue to be a hot topic of conversation. Maybe there isn't such a thing as bad press.

All These Things Nike Has Done....

While watching the Olypmics, I have seen numerous commercials. Some good, some bad, but this one stuck out to me. I'm not sure if it is due to my favorite Killers song featured in it or the imagrey used or both.

Check it out below.