Some interesting news about Microsoft from CNET News.com.
Microsoft has quietly folded its Internet Protocol television, Media Center, and HD DVD efforts into a single organization, known as the Connected TV business group.
The unit, which is part of Robbie Bach's Entertainment and Devices division, is headed by Enrique Rodriguez, the VP (and former WebTV developer) who has been heading the IPTV effort. Peter Barrett, who was CTO of the IPTV unit, takes on that role for the unit.
The move, which took place in October, paves the way for the different technologies, all centered around the television, to work more closely together.
I find this news interesting. In an earlier entry, I talked about the fusion of advertising, marketing communications, and technology across different areas (targeting, measurements, academics-cum-suits, computing scientists as part of the marketing planning team).
Methinks this piece of news which I just picked up corroborates that entry - and it is only the first of things to come.
If I were the leaders of ad holding companies, I would start feeling a little bit conscious of these acquisitions and moves, not only of Microsoft, Google and other biggies in the world of technology, but of other companies.
It is also time for ad holding companies to start thinking of themselves as more than just "specialist-content" (i.e., ads) creators. They have to start thinking of themselves as real drivers of measurable value, built around technologies that not only streamline reaching audiences but also the message-creation and delivery processes.
(I know that sounds vague, but heck. It's Christmas eve - and I am writing about work. What do you expect? Haha!)
