The Grass is "Greener"... on our side

Israel's Media Industry Looks into the Future

Breathing in the fresh mountain air, looking up at the clear blue skies, gazing out at the vast view of Mount Hermon... That's how I started my day at the annual Rosh Pina TV & Film Festival (which should actually be titled "Media Festival"-details below)  

The country's media gang (referred to as "Ha-Branja" in Hebrew) convened over the last weekend to socialize and discuss the Israeli media industry. This year's headline: 40 Years for Israeli TV.

But instead of discussing the past accomplishments, this year, everyone was interested in discussing the future of the Israeli media (as well as their own). Following the weekend discussions, my biggest takeaway is:

There is the huge gap between the current state of media in Israel (specifically TV - very outdated), to that of the country's potential: Talents, know how, and world class technological capabilities:

Israel's current state of the media:

 TV is only 40 years old in Israel, but it's much older (i.e. much more advanced) in other countries.

1. No HD. No IPTV. DVR services have only just started to appear.

2. Public Broadcasting: Israel public broadcasting is a very slow, low budget (but high cost) entity, that does not produce quality content, and is still operating in a late 1980's mode. Basically, a lot of people, doing very little work.

Contrast this with the UK (BBC), which has been able to lead the media to the next generation with world class productions, segmented content, mobile device broadcasts, digital radio, etc.

There is talk about restructuring in Israel - but with the way public entities operate here (and the comments I heard this weekend), it would be foolish to have high hopes for change.

3. Advertisers: The Israeli ad agencies seem to be living in a dream, and have yet to fully expand into the new media and new advertising channels. Although reluctant to embrace the progressing changes, they are aware and do have a real fear of the impending changes in the advertising world.  TV and print still have a very strong dominance in ad spending. Moreover, advertisers still practice some legally questionable practices (such as "double commissions" - i.e. there is no separation between the ad agency and the media buyers, enabling them to charge media "placement" commissions from the channels. This has long been out-ruled in most countries).

I'm not sure if regulation will change soon enough, but I am sure that new media (such as Google in Israel) will be a pleasant wake up call. At least for the consumers. Maybe not so much for the ad agencies.

 

In contrast  - Israel has world class potential:

1. The Israeli media personas possess world class content and consumer understanding

• Israel has developed TV show formats that have acclaimed global success: "The Vault" was sold around the world, Uri Geller's "The Heir" was acquired by NBC (to be called "Phenomenon"), Betipul was sold to HBO, "The Ex" was sold to Fox, and many more...
• Israeli film has seen a revival over the last years - most recently winning prizes at all top international film festivals: Bikur Hatismoret at Tokyo last week, Meduzot at Cannes, Beaufort - all in the last year.

2. Israel is home to some of the most advanced players in New Media

Several Israeli startups are providing solutions that cross the Media consumption chain. Below is a slide I put together with just a small sample.

Unfortunately, these companies need to go to other countries to Beta test their products (given the lack of advanced implementation within Israel's existing channels).

3. The local media community is starting to realize the potential of the media revolution. Some have already made a move (one such example is Uri Shinar, a leading media figure in Israel, who led a panel this weekend and created Aniboom).

Combining the understanding these people have (in consumer needs, behaviors, and content) together with cutting edge technologies - can create a real competitive advantage in the global markets.

 

And this, in essence, is the reason I was there (and the reason my fund sponsored the event):

 To meet more of the media community, which I believe will soon be the foundation for Israel's next generation of media ventures.

Earth Film - THE must see movie of the year

I just saw the movie Earth

.

To me this was the best movie experience I've had for a long time.

Earth is a feature-length version of the documentary TV series "Planet Earth" (2006), following the migration paths of four animal families across the globe. It compiles pictures filmed by 40 camera teams shot in over 200 different locations all over the world for more than 5 years. Although many of the scenes are available on the BBC DVD series, this is a movie that should really be experienced on the (very) big screen.

Finally, being that 2007 is the Green year, the movie shows the destructive impact of Global Warming. Unfortunately, if things don't change - this movie might be the last documentation of many of the species shown. 

Below is a short trailer of the DVD (once again, nothing compares to the big screen):

 

Technorati Tags: Earth, Movie, 2007, Global warming

Images from Rosh Pina TV and Film Fest

Just got back - Here a short compilation. More insights in a bit

 

Technorati Tags: Israel, Rosh Pina, Film, TV, Festival, 2007

Gemini at Rosh Pina TV & Film Festival פסטיבל טלוויזיה וקולנוע ראש פינה

Those of you who have been following my blog might remember a year ago I wrote about the great experience I had at the Rosh Pina Film Festival.

The Event is taking place again this weekend (time flies...)

Following the positive experience last year and my funds focus on New Media, Gemini will be sponsoring this year's event. I'm really glad about this, since:

• There is great talent in Israel with knowledge in Media and Consumer - that is applicable for the investments we make in New Media
• This is another first for my fund - we'll be the only VC at the event (I managed to find this one piece in English)
• I had no small part in making this happen ;)

If you are interested in the future of media - or just want a great weekend up north with the "Branja"* (and a us VCs) you should plan to drive up north this weekend.

* Branja = Hebrew slang  for media Celebes

Technorati Tags: Israel, Rosh Pina, Film, TV, Festival, 2007

Transformers - More than meets the eyes

If you read the title of this post, and started humming the song... I'll bet I can guess your age (~28-38?...)

As a response to Ouriel's post - I just had to share the clip below... Its another great example of the "transformation" that animation technology has gone through over the last 23 years (since 1984).

This is 1984:

And this is today:

(BTW - If any of you still have an action figure - I'm sure prices will be going up!)

Tags: Transformers, 1984 cartoon, 2007 movie, animation

Why reading blogs after midnight is dangerous to your health! (and why you should watch the movie Babel)

Yesterday, 1am... Just as I was about to turn off the lights and go to sleep, I had a "brilliant" idea... Why not take a quick look at my Netvibes blog reader, and see what's new in the blogosphere.

Just my luck - I stumbled upon Ouriel's post on why I have to watch the movie Babel. "What the hell", I said to myself, I'll just open up my favorite free movie site, and watch the beginning (heck, it's free, who cares).

4am... just as the last scene was ending, I remembered I have a 9am meeting... as well as one at 7pm...

Today was Not a healthy day at all!

(The moral of this story: Beware of free recommendations... as well as free movies:

...Momentary satisfaction... long term suffering)

Tags: Babel, Brad Pitt, Free movies