New Association For Downloadable Media Forms - OnlineMediaTips.com
I just found out about a new group calling itself the Association for Downloadable Media. They are reported to be representing the interests of online media producers. Unfortunately, this organization appears to have been formed without input from many of the industry’s leaders. Even still, it may be a good idea. But the devil is in the details, and I have some real questions.
Why charge so much to belong? And how will the interests of students and small producers be represented if they can’t afford to belong? Is the association for profit and if so, who gets the profit? Why wasn’t the formation of the association more transparent?
Don’t get me wrong. I do believe such an organization is needed. In fact, I have been in talks with several groups over the last year about forming such an organization, but the problem is, it’s nearly impossible for these things to take shape without at least the concern that the founders are in some way going to personally benefit.
As Podango CEO Lee Gibbons wrote on his blog in December of last year, “Still, I am aware of the difficulty of establishing an industry consortium that can operate with the speed of a self interested entity like a Podtrac or Kiptronic or even a Nielsen.”
Neither Lee or I are casting aspersions on Podtrac, Kiptronic or Nielsen or anyone else. Rather, we’re making the point that no matter the intent, there will always at least APPEAR to be a potential for conflict.
In this case, an association has formed with some of our competitors appointing themselves board members. Yet, we (and many of our friends, associates, vendors and advertisers) weren’t even told of this organization until it went public. That may have been an innocent error, but it doesn’t look good.
Accordingly, I’d urge extreme caution and very careful investigation of this effort prior to plunking down the $150 to $1000 they are requesting in dues. Some additional questions about the money need to be answered like: Who gets that money? What’s going to be done with it? Who will decide? And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
I hope to be able to put my full support behind this organization, or one like it. The ADM’s success or failure will be tied to how well it represents the interests of the entire industry, not just the few who decided to put it together.
In any event, despite my initial concerns, I wish them luck.
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Scott Bourne is an author, lecturer, teacher and new media pioneer, and the president of Podango Productions in San Francisco, CA. He is the founder of the world's first Internet-only radio network, Netradio, and is a co-host on several prominent podcasts including MacBreak Weekly, Apple Phone Show, the iLifeZone and GMT. Bourne has also been a featured speaker at events such as Macworld Expo and the Podcast & Portable Media Expo.
Hi Scott,
I wanted to address some of your questions regarding the ADM. First off, the founding members (myself being one of them in full transparency mode) are temporary until after voting takes place over the next few months. I would LOVE to see you/Lee run for either a board position or head a committee. Lee is brilliant in regards to metrics and as one of the founders of OpenMetrics.org needs to be involved with ADM (if he’s interested; I know you guys are busy!) due to his acumen/passion for that arena.
Transparency wise, we felt it better to get the ball rolling and set up some initial ideas and a general framework before opening up the ADM en massee. As anyone can vote (please see ADM’s site for specifics on this), nothing is finalized at this point in terms of the first group of folks actually steering ADM. That’s also what the committees are set up for; some things we know have to be addressed (metrics, etc) other issues will come up over time.
Finally, in regards to money, it simply takes money to keep an association going. Eventually we’ll hire a director (paid position) of some sort to operate day to day operations. We’re also hoping (although this is up in the air) to have conferences and lead other initiatives.
But suffice to say the people already involved are utterly passionate about podcasting/downloadable media and have the industry’s best interests at heart. I certainly agree waiting to see how that pans out is important. But for what it’s worth, I wanted to address your thoughts here as I have such respect for you, Lee, and podango.
Thanks,
JCH
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