Saturday, November 20, 2010

What's your niche?

When I was a boy, my whole family looked forward to watching The Ed Sullivan Show on Sunday nights. We watched it together. There was something for everyone -- comedians, musical numbers, jugglers, novelty acts, and sometimes even rock and roll bands. If I found something was boring I could leave for a few minutes, knowing that something I liked would be on shortly. Ed's show was a Sunday night staple for 23 years, and its ratings were high even when it was cancelled, in an effort by CBS to attract a younger audience.

Today every member of the family has their own screen in the house. It's common for young people to watch multiple screens -- texting or surfing the web on their phones while watching a show on the big screen TV. Television shows and even networks are focusing on trying to capture a larger slice of a narrow, but clearly defined audience. Instead of aiming at the whole family, one show will target teenage boys, while another show may target 25-49 year old women.

Content creators must adapt to the times. Make sure you know what slice of the audience you're aiming at. That will focus your own efforts and help you make the decisions to shape your material.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

New Job at AMS Pictures in Dallas

This blog has always been about helping you create more compelling content and finding places where you could place it. Now I'm putting my money where my mouth is by taking the position of Managing Director, Original Programming, for AMS Pictures in Dallas. My job is to lead the programming group there to conceive, develop and sell programs to networks and other media outlets. I expect to keep blogging about content development, but will probably have to take a week or so off while I'm acclmating to the new position.

If you want to see the programs we're currently making go to op.amspictures.com. Meanwhile, stay tuned here for more advice content advice in the next few weeks.