We’re seeing more and more instances of ‘TV on the go’ – everything from streaming your NetFlix queue through your mobile device, to downloading your favorite TV shows through iTunes (which just got a LOT cheaper) to live TV via dedicated devices.  Flo TV is one of the first to come through on the last example, but also has the cross over to your smart phone as well. With the opening of College Football season this weekend, they made a large commercial push through Saturday’s games.  I’m biased, but I thought this was a great ad.  Go Ducks!

Nielsen just released their latest ‘Three Screen Report‘ (quarterly report) that analyzes the use of video across 3 screens (TV, Internet, Mobile Devices) either live, or ‘time shifted’ through their DVR or downloaded means.  Key takeaways from the report indicate that DVR usage is up (+21.1%) and the viewership of Online Video spiked significantly in Q3 of this year (+34.9%).  The Nielsen spokesperson made a key statement on their blog today:

“Americans today have an insatiable appetite for not only content, but also choice.  Across all age groups, we see consumers adding the Internet and mobile devices to their media diet — consuming media anytime and anywhere possible.”

My take?  Your video strategy better encompass all three screens – with an increased emphasis on the Internet and Mobile platforms.  I’m not saying that the 10-foot TV experience is dead, but I think you’ll see an increased customer emphasis on mobile, portable content that can be consumed on their timeline – wherever they are.

Twitter Search tagline: “See what’s happening — right now“.  Sprint commercial tagline: “This is what’s happening now. Sprint,  The Now Network“. (*click the link and you will find the world’s busiest widget – wow).  I found this on the new Sprint commercial featuring the Palm Pre smartphone.  What was most interesting to me was the incorporation of Twitter into their commercial – not just a callout, but a full blown incorporation of the ‘Twitter birds’ flying around the spot.  From my recollection – this is the first time I’ve seen Twitter incorporated in a commercial, visually.  I’m sure it won’t be the last.

I’ll admit – I fast forward commercials when watching programs I’ve DVR’d.  Very few catch my attention.  One did last night – Vitamin Water.  I’ve seen plenty of 30 second spots in the last year that offer up a web address at the end.  I’ve never seen one that showed the address of their Facebook profile page – until yesterday.  Well done Vitamin Water.  I did some digging online and found this post “VitaminWater Launches Primetime Facebook Promotion” on All Facebook.  I think we’re going to be seeing this more and more. 

*Sidenote, the author of All Facebook is clearly not a basketball fan as he is assuming that Steve Nash (or on Twitter) is the founder of Vitamin Water.

“The VitaminWater page currently includes a number of videos about Steve Nash (who I’m guessing is the founder)….“  Ahem, not so much…. Apparently he didn’t recognize Kobe, LeBron, or CP3 either…

The Networks (CBS, NBC, ABC, and Fox) have been streaming their program lineup online for some time now.  NBC’s HULU combines current shows with favorites from our past, including a limited selection of full movies.  When I travel and can’t wait to watch a show that I have DVR’d at home – I’ll tune in online and get my fix.  In the Big Apple there are plenty of folks that are ‘cutting the chord‘ completely to save money during this rough economic time…  If it weren’t for live sports, I might think about doing the same.  Can’t live without my SportsCenter!

It’s long been the practice of advertisers to simply slap their TV commercials online as video advertising units.  I’ve long thought it doesn’t work – rather, that you need to tailor the spot specifically for the medium.  This Adotas article supports that and points to 3 basic tenants for success:

1. Tell a story
2. Make it interactive
3. Finish with a strong call to action. 

I agree.  Michael Radigan’s last line in the article sums it up best for Digital Video Advertisers:  “Let’s stop being lazy and get some practice making online videos for the active viewer“