NDTV streams its TV content on internet on their website www.ndtv.com of which I am a regular viewer. Surprisingly, they decided to stream their content( with the advertisement they show on the TV) to be streamed and then also choose to put video advertisements on top of it.

End results –> Internet user sees more advertisement than a TV user.

It completely makes sense to show location aware contextual video advertisements on the actual content, but it doesn’t make sense to retain and stream ‘TV advertisement’ to the internet users, even if advertisers are paying you to do so.

Reasons below:

1- Wrong target market: lets take an example of Tata DoCoMo, They are running a campaign for their services ‘Be the first one to experience 3G’. Heck, I have been using 3G ever since here in USA and even if DoCoMo have something more futuristic say 4G, I cant use it in USA.

Assuming that NDTV is charging these advertisers to show their advertisement on internet steam, advertisers are for sure looking money here.

2- Bad user experience: More you show ads less captive is your audience. Bad user experience, see I am writing this blog post.

3- Costs more money: Every extra byte streamed over internet costs money. Every extra space used to store original content with advertisement costs money.

Serving content over India is still in nascent stages for Indian market and I am sure that eventually NDTV would fix this as they understand more about internet users and the business of doing business over internet.

How do you see old media adopting to new age tools? Share your comments and thoughts below.

Darwin’s theory of survival of the fittest applies here as well. 

Its 2010 and we still get paper mails in the letter box, but then usage of post offices in India has been significantly dropped ( i don’t have survey numbers to support) but ask any college going student on when did he/she licked a stamp and affixed it on the letter to drop in that red colored post office standing alone.

(photo source http://farm1.static.flickr.com/150/390344272_4e04a681e9.jpg)

Phones and emails has made it easy to deliver/communicate message and has hit postal department’s main line of business of ‘delivering messages’ but I think few things needed to be done (from end-user’s point of view) to get this back in business ( Do we need Lalu Yadav to reform this?)

1- Improve service reliability: If a private courier guy can deliver my letter next day( off-course he charges premium), why cant post office does it as well? With all its resources and being a government owned body, probably they can offer a cheaper and reliable service.

2- Diversifying business: Post offices have last mile presence, which is a great plus. They can use their spaces and network to sell/provide other services and maximize their revenues. People would love to finish/perform more than just dropping for buying stamps.

In my next post I will be writing more about some of the business post offices can get into to diversify and maximize their ROI.

I am more frequently sharing on twitter, You can follow me on @ruchitgarg

I did NOT (shame on me) and I am not sure how do I?

There are probably million Indians ( not sure of number) who are spread across the world due to their nature of work or personal choice, but are Indian citizens who do not get to participate in the biggest democratic event in the world, and the only way to hope for ‘change’.

I am surprised that how political parties can be ignorant of this so called NRI population, which can be very instrumental not only in the progress of country by voting and help choose right best possible leaders parties, but also by contributing to all the spheres of lives due to their exposure.

Please guide me if I am being ignorant of any processes already set in place for NRIs to participate in Indian democracy OR leave a comment below sharing how you feel when you get to lead by set of people you never got a chance to elect.

Its like dream come true, when you get you meet in-person with individual like Dr APJ Abdul Kalam… In old northern Indian style..”..ganga naha liye..”

TIE Seattle had recently organized Dr. Kalam’s talk which I get to attend as well.

Introduced by Bill Gates Sr. , Dr. Kalam talked briefly about various talks he has given in his current trip which included trip to Boeing, University of Washington and talked about his Vision 2020 and how entrepreneurs and NRIs can contribute in it. He shared some great leadership examples he learnt and observed in his life.

This followed by a Q/A session which was like a classroom scene, where students where amongst the industry leaders/veterans in Seattle and teacher was Dr. Kalam . In his typical style, Dr. Kalam asked all of us to recite some lines after him and later asked..if its hard to follow the mantra in our life.

Talk was inspiring and many a times humorous as well.

I even get to meet him in person! which in gamer’s language would be *Another achievement unlocked*

“We hope to garner your support to bring about hoped for change in upcoming election through PrajaRajyam & educating public.
Pl join us & let us know how we can make this change. Look forward to your participation.Best wishes,
S Kanaparthi.”

Looks like things are changing in India, at least, politicians. They might not know the exact website number but I am sure they have started realizing and monetizing potential of these new generation tools.

Obama won this USA presidential election with his promise to change United states. His folks left no stone unturned get the word ‘change’ across the states. Be it using twitter, Facebook, website or even in-game advertisement.

Now its turn for Indian politicians to change too..

Prime ministerial candidate from BJP Mr. L. K. Advani has his website , facebook  account too.

I am wondering if someone in India is using technology to track promises made by our politicians. Checkout this one for Obama called Obameter.

Hope there is ‘real’ change happening in India.

I watched Academy award LIVE on TV and I am really happy to see Indian faces other side of the stage.

Congratulations to Rehman, Gulzar & Resul Pookutty won a Sound Mixing Oscar. You have got what you deserved.

Unfortunately, they are getting the award for the work which I personally think is not even close to what they have delivered in the past. Roja, DilSe, Bombay and many more in regional language.

Slumdog was a high-tide which made these little boats ( read as work) touch the sky ( read as limelight).

Nonetheless I am sure this is a stone set and would provide a gateway for artists, technicians and all others who are associated with movie industry in India.

Update: My friend Kavya, pointed me that I missed to congrats Resul. Sorry Resul. I am adding you now.

Movie which is  winner of 4 golden globe award and has nominations for 10 oscars fell short of my expectations.

I grew up seeing similar movies (Deewar, Muqaddar ka Siqandar, Agneepath….) where a kid who is ‘nobody’ and becomes ‘somebody’ fighting off all adverse circumstances. It was a typical Hindi Masala movie done by BIGB  (I am big fan of him) and others so many times.

Is it because Danny Boyle managed to get eyes of those who usually do not care to watch Hindi movie?? What do you think readers?

I will be following up on email to explain the issue I have faced. I have already figured out answers to my previous query but this might help when I or someone else gets into similar situation again.