I’m the first to admit I frequently listen podcasts for the guest not the host – TechNation, PodTech, Larry’s World, and more recently – Gillmor Gang.
For the latter, it wasn’t the ads that bugged me, or the hub-bub around them. I’ll fast-forward past them until a new podcast-appropriate ad format is introduced.
I completely agree with Kurtiss Hare on the ad issue:
“[Steve Gillmore] continues to rehash the same point and refuses to raise the level of discourse.”
Yes, it’s great that someone with Earthlink’s reputation is sponsoring podcasts. I’ve had mixed experiences with them (yeah for mobile phone, boo for dsl). Shoehorning radio ads into podcasts won’t change that. Especially one’s I don’t hear. Remember the fast-forward button.
While I really enjoy the high-level strategic discussion of internet and business, I’m finding Steve’s fixation on specific vendors, continual hijacking of the conversation, and insistence that 30 second off-topic ads are cool – all tiresome.
Unsubscribing from the Gillmor Gang leaves a void in my listening and I’m looking for a replacement. Something with the same format – 5 people on a conference call, same topics – companies and how they’re adapting to the changing relationship between customer and vendors, and really heated discussion.
Any suggestions?
Om & Niall’s Podsession and This Week in Tech are both close, but a little too tactial
Garrick, I feel exactly as you (though I’m probably more bugged by the Earthlink ad than you are.) Thank you for articulating this. And yet, because of that “impending void,” I listened to today’s Randum Gang anyway. I’ll stay tuned here to learn of any replacement avenues for the same type of strategic discussion that is possible but seldom realized anymore by a Gillmor dominated Gang.
No comment on the speed of concept progression on the Gang, but I think that you might be a little off on Earthlink; or, more to the point, playing into his hands. Gillmor gets attention. In addition to having the validation (and cash) from a major company, the Earthlink ads are getting the advertiser and the Gillmor Gang 1,000+ times the coverage they would get otherwise. And at the end of the day, the spot takes up 30 seconds of an hour plus show, that’s a hell of a value ratio in my book.
Todd, you make an excellent point and one I’ve been very conscious of – talking about things gives them power. This is the classic notion that any publicity is good publicity.
I wanted to go on record as ignoring the goings on from this point forward and putting my attention elsewhere. Where it’s more highly valued.