What’s next for social TV? Enabling couch surfers to join reality TV shows! You already see correspondents joining news shows one at a time via web cameras. Soon you’ll see groups of viewers coming onto TV shows to create an unprecedented level of interactivity – and forever blurring the lines between television and social media. Another trend in social TV is finding a way for show producers to sell ad space in the Internet communities they’re building. Too often the viewership is talking about their shows on other platforms, whether it’s Twitter, Facebook or streaming sites. Producers are finally finding easy ways to own their content, own their audience and monetize it – easy ways like Watchitoo.
So exactly how is this all going to go down? Our Andrew Goletka, vice president of corporate development, has been on the speaking circuit painting the picture of the future.
Andrew was on two panels in our home city of New York last month. Andrew discussed alongside other industry leaders how online, and more often original, video content is spearheading the second screen evolution; and how this trend will help build brand awareness, viewership and ultimately revenue.
First up was the The Social TV Summit where Goletka joined Moderator Jack Myers, CEO of Jack Myers Media Business Report, and fellow panelists from Nobox, WiOffer, Echo and wywy to talk about revenue opportunities around social TV. The session was titled, “Social TV…..Ratings, Revenue, Engagement, Revenue, Social Commerce, Revenue, Viewers, Revenue, Brands ROI, Revenue……Did We Forget to Say Revenue?”
The Future of Television panel session addressed “Creating Original Video Content for Multiple Platforms.” Watchitoo’s Andrew Goletka, Moderator Paul Kontonis, chairman of the International Academy of Web Television, and other industry executives from SAG-AFTRA, SMOSH, Discovery Communications and Microsoft Corp. took part in this discussion that covered the creation of engaging second screen opportunities to support traditional television content.
During both sessions, Andrew was able to draw on his experience at Watchitoo, driving the company’s Social TV initiatives that focus on promotional solutions, pre/post show discussions and original programs designed for digital distribution. Goletka also highlighted collaborations with producers and networks, including Viacom, NBC-Universal and Turner Broadcasting, to demonstrate successful Social TV campaigns.
