The Future of Web Fame - Live Blogging @ Web 2.0 Summit

I decided to check out the discussion on the future of web fame, half because of the topic, half because it is the one conference room with working WiFi. The discussion is being hosted by Alan Citron, Kent Nichols, and Mike Beckett.

Mike Beckett explains how they produced LonelyGirl15 on YouTube and his new show Kate Modern in the UK. It is a very interesting idea. All the video posts are scripted, but posted at random times. The idea is to make people think that these characters are real and that you are getting inside their life. I always thought LonelyGirl was real until they revealed it. Still, even though it is all scripted, it definitely feels real.

Though most of the discussion focused on Mike, Kent Nichols, who developed “Ask a Ninja”, said Ask a Ninja is worth 7 figures in merchandise and advertising. Mike Beckett also talked about taking the LonelyGirl15 platform and focusing them in other countries. Kate Modern is the first one as it is based in the UK.

I find it amazing the money these guys are making on these ideas. What starts off as a YouTube sensation is making some good cash and is only going up.

Bookmark It

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 17th, 2007 at 2:09 pm and is filed under Geek_Out. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.