On 15th January in London, UK, Radio Academy Director Trevor Dann hosted a seminal event about podcasting.

The panel included Nathalie Schwarz from Channel 4, Matt Wells, Head of Audio from Guardian Unlimited, Sarah Prag from the BBC, and noted independent radio / podcast producers Hermeet Chadha and Karen Pearson. The session covered many issues around podcasting, including definition, production values, regulation, culture, expectations of both listeners and viewers, metrics, and the commercial realities of making podcasting pay.

ADM member Dean Whitbread from Talking Voices and the UK Podcasters Association takes part in the question and answer session in part two, talking about video and the Association for Downloadable Media initiative.

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I have been struck by the continuing confusion in the marketplace in defining a download. The overly simplified convention holds all video within a web browser is streamed and all without is downloaded. I wrote a recent article on Downloading on the Internet and how at VoloMedia we define the three different types of downloads - RSS, Progressive and Direct. One of the challenges for ADM will be to concisely define our medium and explain why RSS matters to publishers. With the existence of suitable metrics and advertising solutions, there is no justification to keeping any media locked just within the confines of a web browser.

ADM members Dusty Wright and Richard Burns of Culture Catch are hosting a VIP, velvet-rope, intimate evening with cocktails, live music, art, and a few surprises.

Plan on attending this cultured meet-n-greet for all members and potential members of the ADM on Thursday night, Jan. 17 from 5 - 8 pm. Stay longer to enjoy more of the Culture Catch enlightening entertainment.

Secret location to be announced shortly.

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Ahhh, the very beginning of the New Year, and I have a few download-relevant thoughts I’d like share with ADM members.

- Get green. With just about every company pursuing a green strategy, I resolve to pitch podcasting and digital media as the ultimate green publishing tool. No resources used except bandwidth. PS: Send your proposals electronically.

- Get mobile. With Apple, Google, Yahoo and many other big players getting into the mobile space, this may be the year mobile content starts to take off. I resolve to offer mobile solutions for marketing and communications to all my clients, complementing our podcasting solutions.

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This year, I will…

…do everything I can to make the adoption of “new media” as easy for everyone as possible. We “early adopters” can’t forget that most folks are still digesting the internet as a whole, much less all it has to offer. There is so much more going on than Google, iTunes, and text messaging.

…remember there is a difference between sending a message and conversing. Spend more time talking face to face or on the phone with people. Text, e-mail, etc. are great for quick thoughts but can never replace the emotion of a great conversation.

…work to improve the quality and the content in my writing. I write more now than I have in years and I want my blog posts to be more than articles. I want them to inform, inspire, and entertain all at the same time. (Okay, this one is going to take a lot of work.)

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