Babelgum Party

Wow, these guys at Babelgum networks know how to throw a party. Not bad for an Italian/Irish start-up. Mind you, they have backers with deep pockets. But they also have a technology that will rival Joost when it launches next week.

MIP-TV

I have a love hate relationship with Cannes. There are some very interesting emerging technologies at this week's MIP-TV festival. I see that the new media section is there in name only....the exhibition has been folded into MIP-TV and the presentations of new media (Second Life, Mobile) are pushed towards the end of the week. Then the not so nice bits - I must admit I have fun with the lowest form of life here - TV sales agents. These are people who sell soap one week and TV programme (formats) the next. They are not interested in what they are selling, just as long as it is sold. Too many stands hire people with the body language of a security guard who greet you at their desk with a "What do you want?" look. Why? These people are trapped in their own routine, believing their own brochure's claim that they have unique content. They are attending MIP because they have to, not because they want to. Especially the government funded/sponsored stands are particularly ineffective. There are some bright spots though, Orange, Babelgum, BBC Worldwide. Great conversations on the terraces outside.