Happy Friday!
Team Rerun was very happy this week to see Steven Soderbergh awarded 'Webby Film and Video person of the year'. We highly recommend checking out Mosiac, an interactive murder mystery series which was produced by Soderbergh for HBO.
Let the scrolling begin!
Top Pick
How humans find good stuff on Netflix
This week on our new design blog, The Fourth Wall, we observed modern humans in their natural habitat. Aimlessly wandering the barren plains of Netflix in search of some good stuff to watch. We've wrangled them up into a few different archetypes, which one do you fit in? You gotta read it to find out.
Future of TV
Axonista CEO Claire McHugh talks personalisation at TV Connect 2018
How can you individualise content to provide something of real value to viewers?
Our CEO Claire took part in a lively panel at London’s annual TV Connect conference last week. Executives from BT Sport, Viacom and Sky discussed personalising the TV viewing experience. Claire sat down with the conference organisers afterwards to share her thoughts.
Key Takeaway: ‘When considering personalisation, think outside of demographics. Think of the audience, location, device, and story. How can you delight that person in that moment?'
What legal sports betting could actually look like in the United States, explained by gambling industry experts
A recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court has paved the way for states to legalise sports betting. Any changes will likely be a long time coming, but plans are already afoot, with Paddy Power Betfair rumoured to be acquiring FanDuel. We'll no doubt see a lot of acquiring and positioning over the next few years while states draft up their new laws.
Just remember, house always wins.
Research: OTT $51.4bn business by 2022
According to market advisory firm ABI Research, the subscription OTT market will be a $51.4bn business by 2022.
In North America and Europe, pay-TV operators have already entered the OTT market capitalising in any loss of churn due to the lower priced video service to customers. DirecTV's NOW has gained 1.2 million subscribers within one year of its launch, offsetting the subscriber loss of its satellite TV platform.
“Pay-TV operators recognise the consumer demand for vMVPD services and are trying to expand their OTT offering by providing more content choice to compete against other subscription OTT services such as Netflix" said Khin Sandi Lynn, Industry Analyst at ABI Research
Storytelling
Nasdaq Creates a Content “Dream Factory”
Nasdaq's social fan base has grown from 20,000 to over 3 million in a short time frame, by the creation of aspirational moments and content.
With two production studios in Times Square, the content is literally on their doorstep. Their social team has access to the daily ringing of the Nasdaq bell, and incredible executives who are there to tell their story. As early adopters to Facebook Live, they have created original programming, like 'Never Settle with Mario Armstrong', a recent New York Emmy winner for best interactive broadcast. The 90-minute show is set in a live studio environment, which features interactive elements allowing them to have an online two-way conversation with their viewers.
“There’s no point in creating boring content because there’s enough boring content out there. If it doesn’t inspire or educate, there’s no point,” Nasdaq's Josh Machiz.
Virtual Reality
Amazon’s VR/AR creation tool ‘Sumerian’ now available to general public
Amazon have released Sumerian to the public. The web based tool makes it easier to create web-based VR/AR applications.
At Rerun we think this is super exciting! AV/VR development can require specialised knowledge but Amazon are making it easier for more developers to access and learn the skills to build VR/AR experiences. It will now be possible for any developer to create an interactive VR/AR experience in just a few hours.
Plugged In
Microsoft has been doing some incredible industrial design work lately, and this is no exception. Its new Xbox Adaptive Controller brings premium quality gaming to people with a range of disabilities. After reading this story behind the project its impossible to come away without feeling touched and inspired.
"I went to my happy place for the first time since the accident. It made me feel comfortable, like life was back to how it was before everything happened. I felt at home for the first time, like I was really at home."