The online video advertising space is expanding with Google launching “click-to-play” video ads to its Adsense network. Like its other AdWords formats, video ads will compete for placement on sites in the Google content network. Although online video ads are not something new, Google is changing the format with an “opt-in” play mode, as the ads do not play automatically.

Is this a good format? Apparently, Michael Arrington does not think so and predicts this is something that will go down the pipe.

“When someone clicks on a video, they aren’t clicking through to a website, where some sort of action can occur that can be tied to an ROI. People like Adsense because it can result in sales or other trackable actions. Videos don’t do that. Even though the web is making multi-media drop dead easy, people still like text (and that’s why blogs are interesting to a lot more people than podcasts).”

We, however, must respectfully disagree with Mr. Arrington, as we think he is examining this from the wrong perspective. Instead of comparing video ads to CPC text-based ads, we should be looking at this in relation to the effectiveness of video ads on broadcast TV. With the spread of personal DVR devices like TiVO, consumers are finding it increasingly easier to skip commercials altogether and advertisers must explore new mediums and offerings to get their messages across.

Google is definitely on the right path here, as video ads on the Internet tied to search terms can be much more relevant than the commercials on television. However, Google is still one key step away, as they are only tying videos to the title and summary text associated with a video and not the actual content of the video. If Google were able to figure out this last step, they would be able to deliver perfectly relevant ads each and every time a user interacted with a video.

Online video ads are only going to become more and more interactive, clickable and relevant and while Google’s initial offering is lacking in many ways, it is a significant first step.

Kick off summer with Memorial Day weekend and some podcasts that might give you ideas for all summer long.

A Life of Play
Jeff Cutler speaks with Phyllis Cambria of Party Plans Plus and shares a variety of ways you can host a great Memorial Day party.

Big Foamy Head
A podcast on Beer and Barbecues - Beer, Brewing, Stouts, Ales, Talk, Smoking, Grilling and Drinking. Perfect summer!

MotoGPod, The Motorcycle Roadracing Podcast
MotoGP and motorcycle racing news, commentary, opinion and rumor! Now get that Harley out of the garage!

A recent medical study done Dr. James Rosser at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City show that surgeons who played 20 minutes of video games prior to surgery completed their laparoscopy surgery faster with fewer errors.  Check out the article on CNN.

Buy your surgeon an Xbox today!

PodZinger received word that it has been named a finalist for the 3rd Annual MITX Technology Awards, which recognize innovative technologies developed in the New England area, as well as the individuals and organizations responsible for driving these advancements. The Massachusetts Innovation & Technology Exchange (MITX) is the region’s premier association for thought leadership, technology trends, business networking and professional training and development.

From the MITX folks:

“In its third year, the MITX Technology Awards have attracted some of the most distinguished technological innovations that the region has to offer,” said Kiki Mills, Executive Director of MITX. “It is this tremendous interest that enables our organization to accomplish its mission of uniting the brightest minds in the technology community and honoring their outstanding achievement.”

PodZinger will be recognized with the other finalists in the Web 2.0 category at an awards ceremony at the Four Seasons Hotel in Boston on Wednesday, June 7, 2006.

Was it an overzealous fan of our favorite hometown speech-to-text search engine or a deviant with a penchant for automobile accessories? While most of the facts are unknown, one sad truth is clear: on the evening of May 12, an automobile adorned with a PodZinger magnet was stripped of its glory while parked outside a Beacon Hill residence.

Please help us bring our PodZinger magnet back home. If you know of the magnet’s whereabouts, please don’t hesitate to contact us at: info@podzinger.com. Information leading to its safe return will be met with a reward.

There is a great story about how BBC ushered the wrong Guy into the newsroom for a live interview on the Apple vs. Apple verdict. Guy Kewney, an Internet download expert, was left in the waiting room as Guy Goma, who was at BBC interviewing for a job, was identified by the receptionist and ushered into the studio.

Check out this Reuters video podcast and start the play by clicking on “guy” at 0:21, and watch this guy’s face 3 seconds later as he realizes he’s not the Guy they think! As the real Guy says in his blog about this moment:

It’s beyond classic: it’s priceless.

Also see the BBC’s follow up news article on their gaffe, which they filed under “Entertainment.”

Check it out on PodZinger.

In a world where Paris Hilton is able to become famous for being talentless, tasteless, and shameless; who would be surprised that she is also clueless? At last week’s E3 Expo she repeatedly referred to her new mobile game as Diamondquest. The problem is that the game is called JewellJam.  The mistake is believed to be connected to a Bluetooth hacking incident that resulted in the lost of her phone list and her few remaining brain cells.

Laura’s Hollywood Dirt
Daily Noise
Game Addict Hotline

Tom Hanks appeared on NPR’s Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! To promote the mega film, The Da Vinci code. To increase the controversy he talks about machine gunning Meg Ryan, his nick name “Loser Drooly Head”, his relationhip with Hootch (the dog not the beverage), and undermines his reputation as the nicest guy in Hollywood. You may find out more about Mr. Hanks than you may really want to know.

Back when I was growing up, I remember the kids who came to school everyday with a house key around their necks. They were the (apparently) few children who had working moms. Soon though, everybody hit the work force leading to the growth of daycare centers and Danish au pairs. Now an increasing number of mothers are trying to lead a professional life, while working from home. Work at home moms talk radio offers insight on the stresses and rewards of being a modern mom.

The 2006 edition of the largest gaming show in the world attracted over 70,000 attendees to the LA Convention Center. As always there were plenty of announcements, Sony displayed the PS3, Nintendo débuted the revolutionary Wii (Weee!), and Grand Theft Auto 4 faced off against Scarface (the movie that inspired the GTA franchise).

As always plenty of huge booths, strange guys in costumes, but no booth babes, E3 is now a family friendly experience.

E3 2006 results on PodZinger 

1UP.com - 1UP TV

Attack of the Show: E306 Live

PC Gamer Podcast