Top 10 Predictions for 2013 & What It Means For Online Video
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Mark Anderson
In a recent interview with NPR affiliate KPLU, tech guru Mark Anderson of Strategic News Services (SNS) shared his top 10 tech predictions of 2013. Published in his newsletter, these forecasts are aimed at providing cutting edge news for the computing and telecommunications industry – hey, that’s us!
Our Take On It. . .
First of all, Mark knows his stuff. . . over a 10-year period his accuracy rating is over 90%. Of his predictions for this year, one in particular will affect the way video and other digital media content is viewed on the web. His number one prediction, “Surface and slates and iPads and Kindle Fire and Nexus 10 and everything else that’s got a 7-inch screen plus or minus an inch or so, will be the biggest category of computing device.” That’s scary if your company isn’t doing anything to stay relevant in this growing digital atmosphere.
It is important, for anyone publishing content on the web, to know these devices are integrated inside and out with Google and Bing search capabilities. Why is this important? Decision makers across the board are searching for advice and insight online. As it turns out, more and more of this is taking place on tablets and mobile devices, increasing the importance of staying relevant and attractive on the web. One powerful and effective way in doing so is through video. In 2012, mobile video ads alone made up 33% of the average marketing budget – with 56% of consumer web traffic in 2012 being video, we can certainly see why!*
In the online landscape of uber-short attention spans, delivery is king!Most of us experience streaming video content on a daily basis – we get the concept and we see the value. The million dollar question we should be asking is not why video, but how? Simply put, it’s not just about creating video content. In the online landscape of uber-short attention spans, delivery is king! Flash has been replaced by HTML5, standard 4:3 aspect ratio is now glorious 16:9 widescreen! So we’ll ask again… how are YOU delivering your message? Is your video and digital media optimized for today’s mobile audience? It should be.
If you’d like to know and hear more on this topic, join us Friday, January 18, 2013 in the Syre Auditorium at Whatcom Community College. Varvid is honored to be a sponsor for the 2013 Predictions Luncheon featuring Mark Anderson.Visit the TAG website for more info:
http://www.tagnw.org/events?eventId=568722&EventViewMode=EventDetails
*source - Social Times: http://socialtimes.com/infographic-2012-online-video_b112645
Varvid is proud to support the Burned Children Recovery Foundation
Join us in supporting Camp Pheonix!
Varvid was asked to produce a ten-minute video for the Burned Children Recovery Foundation- Camp Phoenix. Each year Ryan Stiles hosts a celebrity golf tournament and gala auction to help raise funds. Camp Phoenix provides a safe and comfortable environment for children who have been severely burned. During camp these kids learn how to share their feelings, communicate with others and have fun at a place where they can just be kids. This event raised over $130,000 for the BCRF and Varvid was proud to lend a helping hand.
If you would like to donate to this worthy foundation click the link below:
Varvid Heaven: NAB Show 2012
Aaron, Mike Pearce and myself snuck away from the office for a few days to attend the NAB Show® (National Association of Broadcasters) in Vegas. Shot and edited this on my iPhone as more of an afterthought – was hoping to take a trip without actually shooting something, but the creative demon inside couldn’t help but capture some footage of all the shiny things on display. Some shaky camera work, but still fun to edit and produce right on my iPhone. Hopefully this will inspire some of you get that camera out and start shooting 
As for the show itself – amazing and overwhelming! This was a great chance for us to check out new innovations in the world of digital production, as well as meet and hang out with friends and peers from the many like-minded companies we work with everyday. NAB is the mecca for all digital media – content creation, consumption, distribution and management. Oh, and it’s big: 90,000+ media and entertainment professionals from over 150 countries – betta’ recognize!
Transformative technology comes together in one place for small business.
The Small Business Tour
- April 12, 2012
- Meydenbauer Center – Bellevue, WA
Learn about new concepts around Small Business 3.0 including money, growth, customers and people productivity with the latest technologies. The Time to Thrive Small Business Tour 2012 is where to be! Varvid will be webcasting live discussion panels with Microsoft, Intuit, Concur, Constant Contact, Corelytics, Rocketship, the SBA and more. The 12-city tour kicks off in Seattle on April 12. Check it out: www.TheSmallBusinessTour.com
Windows 8 Beta (Consumer Preview) Step by Step Install
Step by Step tutorial showing an install of Windows 8 Beta (Consumer Preview - In real time)
This installation was done on a HP Elitebook 8560w with 16GB RAM and a Crucial M4 256GB SSD Drive. Quadcore Intel i7 15" portable workstation with 4 memory slots for low cost upgrade to 16GB RAM.
DOWNLOADS & IMPORTANT LINKS
- To download Windows 8 go here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/download
- To get the Flash Drive (or DVD) install tool for using the ISO that you download - go here: http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/html/pbPage.Help_Win7_usbdvd_dwnTool
- To see reviews and prices at Amazon (best prices I've found) on Crucial SSD's (we're in the process of putting them in every computer in our company: http://amzn.to/crucialssds
To see more video from Tech Events and coverage of the IT Industry: http://www.varvid.tv
To learn more about Varvid's video services - http://www.varvid.com
Varvid Growth Plans Accelerated through Capital Investment from Sorensen Brothers
Video production company’s executive leadership also expanded to enable twin focus on day-to-day execution and advanced services opportunities
HARLAN, Iowa / BELLINGHAM, Wa. – Jan. 16, 2012 – In a move typical of Heartland Technologies CEO and Founder Arlin Sorensen, the industry veteran is once again betting on the future of the IT channel. What’s perhaps unusual this go-around is that he and his brother Brad are doing it with their own cash. The pair is making a sizeable financial commitment to Varvid, a digital media services company, as part of a strategic alliance aimed at expanding business-changing educational content via an online video platform.
“Our interest in Varvid enables us to offer a wide array of digital media services to HTG Peer Group members either through real-time, interactive sessions or on-demand programming that’s not only available when they want to receive it, but how they want to receive it,” said Arlin. “I’m a big believer that digital communication is going to be the separator between those that do well in the marketplace and those that don’t.”
Industry research firm IDC, which recently reported that the online video platform market is estimated to grow from $306 million in 2010 to over $1 billion by 2015, validates Arlin’s view of the situation. And with the convergence of social media and TV services still in its infancy, further integration is expected to create ongoing opportunities.
The investment from the Sorensen brothers allows Varvid to hasten its growth in size and services by utilizing assets and personnel from both Heartland Technology Consulting (HTC) and Heartland Technology Solutions (HTS). Most notably, the company plans to broaden its support of event services including turnkey solutions related to staging, lighting, sound and multi-camera coverage for both live and on-demand viewership.
Varvid will also continue to build its existing video production services, while increasing its business offerings to provide all-inclusive social media strategies and digital media marketing solutions. These services will include online video production via remote editing, video hosting, live webcasting, online marketing campaigns, email newsletters, website integration, content generation for social media sites and professional on-site video production.
“Everyone thought the Internet was great in 1999, and it was, but they really didn’t have any idea where it could and would go at that time,” said Aaron Booker, Varvid CEO and co-founder.
“We’re at a stage now with digital media services that parallels those early days of the Internet and it’s thrilling to be at the forefront of that next technology wave.”
Varvid began as a production company helping businesses leverage their online presence through video testimonials, case studies and “live” event coverage. The company also pioneered “Video-as-a-Service” by allowing organizations of all sizes access to the power of online digital media through a number of custom hybrid solutions, integrating both a professional and do-it-yourself approach. In addition to these services, Varvid offers a range of social media solutions aimed at helping businesses expand their online presence through emerging digital platforms and social media outlets.
Focused on the Future
To ensure the company addresses the needs of its customers today and into the future, Varvid has realigned its leadership team. Aaron Booker, formerly president and co-founder, will now lead the company as its chief executive officer with responsibility for developing strategic relationships and driving corporate innovation. Mike Simmons, former Varvid creative director and co-founder, replaces Booker as president, and will oversee the company’s day-to-day business operations. Both Arlin and Brad Sorensen will also join Varvid’s board of directors.
About Varvid
Varvid is an Internet Delivered Video production, distribution and management company that builds IT brands by creating superior timely, powerful, and affordable online video solutions for clients. Products & services include case studies, business testimonials, video-enabled email, live webcasting, event coverage, and the newly released “VENUE” video packages – an affordable subscription-based service that features everything clients need to get started in
producing quality online videos for their business. The company also provides all-inclusive social media strategies and digital media marketing solutions as well as viewership metrics for popular social networks including YouTube, Facebook, other platforms and client websites.
Varvid has produced hundreds of recorded and live streaming videos for clients at locations around the world, as well as dozens of testimonial video montages for technology firms, events and trade shows. For more information, visit: www.Varvid.com and www.Varvid.TV
About HTG Peer Groups
Established in 2000 by Arlin Sorensen as a business and personal development community, today HTG Peer Groups is an international organization of leading IT solution providers. HTG has more than 250 member companies throughout North America, the United Kingdom, and Australia/New Zealand. Each peer group consists of 10-12 IT company executives who work together and share resources and information to formulate and meet business goals such as strategic planning, process improvement and tools, and life-work excellence. HTG offers CEO Forums, vendor peer groups and other educational events, quarterly meetings, and an annual summit that attracts hundreds of attendees, vendor exhibitors and strategic partners. Visit www.htgpeergroups.com or call 712-744-3619 for more information.
About Heartland Technologies Solutions (HTS)
For 25 years, the HTS team has served the IT needs of businesses throughout the Midwest and now has a diverse set of specializations, including Infrastructure Service & Support, Unified Communications, Document Management, Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery, Precision Agriculture and K-12 Education. HTS is highly regarded in the vendor community and has strong partnerships with Microsoft, HP and SonicWALL. HTS has seven locations across the Midwest in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.
For more information, please visit www.heartlandtechnologies.com.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Lynette Bohanan, CommCentric Solutions
lbohanan@commcentric.com / 813-727-0196
Must Read Blogs – One of Our Favorites
Like most of you, I subscribe to a handful of blogs that I review as part of my morning rituals. From IT gurus, entertaiment mogals and marketing leaders, each delivers something I find (or at one time found) worth my time. Without out a doubt, Jeremy Epstien and his Never Stop Marketing daily updates deliver something worth reading. It’s more than just every now and then, it’s every single day. Sometimes he shares very personal stories and other times they are chunks of wisdom retold. Here’s a great example.
If you are serious about your business and have the desire to set in motion a few of the principals and knowledge Jeremy shares, it can make a difference in the level of success you and your organization will achieve.
Happy Holidays from everyone at Varvid!
The Varvid team gathers for some holiday festivities – this year we’ve been blessed with many great partnerships and additions to the staff. We’re happy to have had a chance this Christmas to thank some of the key people who have made it all possible. A special thanks to Varvid’s interns, Dingus & Mingus…we’re not quite sure who’s who, but that hasn’t seemed to dampen their holiday spirit.
4 Life Lessons the IT Industry has Taught Me
As the newest member of team Varvid, I have had the pleasure of meeting all kinds of folks in the MSP/VAR industry over the last 8 months. From one-on-one meetings to panel discussions to multi-day conferences, these folks have taught me dozens of lessons. I’d like to share with you four I have learned thus far that stand out:
4. Whether or not folks on the other side are going to like the answer, tell the truth. This is not to say I’ve cried wolf my entire life, just reiterating what we all know can be a tough conversation, especially if it’s not a positive answer, response or dialogue. Remember that productivity comes from both sides of the isle. Be it clients, customers, family members, co-workers or law enforcement, be honest. Like my father once said, “Son, the truth is not only the right thing to share, it’s the easiest to remember.” Took me years to realize how right on the money that statement is.
3. When it comes to a conversation, listen twice as much as you talk. We all know (or are) people who struggle with this. There’s the no eye contact gazer… the one-upper … the interrupter… the sentence finisher… the argument maker… and the list goes on and on. When it comes to listening, I’ll be honest… it’s difficult for me. I am a talker and love to share stories, thoughts or insight with anybody who wants to engage with me. But in an effort to listen, I have found the connections I am making in this industry are more real and more meaningful than those I have made in the past. Not because I’m hearing you, but because I’m listening to you.
2. It’s OK to ask for help. I still have a hard time with this part of my business life because I don’t want to come across as a poser or fraud. My biggest fear is that somebody is going to call me out. In this industry especially, if you pretend you do know and you don’t, you will be eaten alive. When that happens, there goes your credibility and any business you may have hoped you’d earn. Recently I have put my ego on the back burner and started to ask people to slow down or explain it again. Do some folks get a little bent out of shape? Sure they do, but more often than not they understand and want to help me. It’s in our nature to help, so don’t be afraid to ask for it. Like our school teachers always said, the only dumb question is the question not asked.
1. To fully appreciate all in life, creating priorities is a must. While work is not life, it plays an integral role in who we are, allows us to be creative, productive and utilize our education and experience to better those we come in contact with. I speak for the majority of us when I say what we do is not brain surgery. Lives are not in the balance every time we go to work. As a people pleaser, learning to check out at 5:00 (most days) and not bringing home my work has proven to be a difficult task. But doing so has done wonders for my marriage and my relationship with my son. These are the most important thing in my life and to remember my work helps me provide a roof and food for those people, it does not replace them.
Again, these are only 4 lessons of the dozens I have learned since I started with this organization nearly a year ago. The education continues with each new person I have the privilege of meeting.
D&H Distributing & SMB Nation Enter A Strategic Agreement
D&H Distributing & SMB Nation Enter A Strategic Agreement - The Go-to SMB Distributor Partners with this Growing Membership to Offer Resources, Tools and Programs, So the Two Companies May Work Together for a Stronger, More Successful SMB VAR Community -
HARRISBURG, PA, October 22, 2010 – The Major North American distributor of computer and consumer electronics products, D&H Distributing, has entered into an agreement with SMB Nation, the community of solution providers founded by channel advocate and SMB expert Harry Brelsford. Through this relationship, D&H will develop special distribution services for that organization’s resellers. Together, D&H and SMB Nation hope to build a stronger organization with even more targeted advantages for small business solution providers.
D&H plans to work with its vendor partners to create exclusive programs for SMB Nation “Tribe” members who purchase from D&H. This will include special pricing to make powerful, branded technologies more affordable for the SMB reseller; programs that target areas of emerging sales potential in SMB environments; and other benefits.
As part of the new relationship, D&H will be one of the sponsors of the upcoming SMB Nation Conference in Las Vegas, October 22 – 24. Jeff Davis, D&H’s senior vice president of sales, will help kick-off the proceedings with opening remarks to introduce the conference’s keynote speech. Reciprocally, Brelsford will present a seminar, “Server, Storage, Healthcare – Driving SMB Upgrades in 2011,” at D&H’s Mid-Atlantic Fall Technology Show on November 2 in Hershey, PA.
The SMB Nation community has grown into a sizable and varied representation of the small business reseller marketplace, and its members are prime candidates to take advantage of D&H’s SMB-oriented expertise. The two organizations together make an ideal match to serve this marketplace, since both are focused on the unique needs of SMB VARs, and SMB Nation’s group of members closely resemble the profile of D&H’s existing customer base. They therefore sought to create a more formal relationship.
The distributor’s long-term understanding of this segment informs all of D&H’s programs and services, which is why they so realistically meet market needs. D&H is excited about the opportunity to extend this support to SMB Nation’s followers, many of whom offer specialty services and solutions in areas that the distributor would like to develop further, including VoIP, vertical niche markets and managed services.
“We’re thrilled about the new agreement with SMB Nation, since the goals of our two companies are very much in synch,” said D&H Co-President Dan Schwab. “Harry has to be commended. He has cultivated a population of resellers whose role in the channel is becoming more vital every year. D&H has always valued the position of the SMB VAR. We look forward to collectively helping these SMB resellers succeed.”
“SMB Nation has grown to be a force in the channel, and we’re happy to bring D&H more into the fold,” said Brelsford. “They know how to assemble effective programs that drive business and create opportunity in the SMB space, so we have high hopes for a productive partnership. More importantly, they have integrated into our world from a sincere grassroots level with numerous outreach examples. For instance, there are D&H employees who actively participate in the SMB Nation tribe!”
About D&H Distributing
As the nation’s leading technology distributor, D&H provides a wealth of resources to empower solution providers and consultants, delivering a broad selection of SMB categories, products and applications. The company’s offerings span server and infrastructure, SOHO and mobile applications, consumer electronics and gaming. D&H’s multi-market expertise, account-dedicated sales teams, sterling service and flexible financing options are unmatched in the industry.
With an impressive 93-year history serving as a trusted advisor to the reseller channel, D&H has been able to consistently reinvent itself based upon changing market conditions. The company prides itself on creating business partnerships with an astute focus on ease-of-doing-business, relationships, value, performance and service.
D&H was named Cisco’s Global Distribution Partner of the Year, won the Microsoft Licensing Operational Excellence Award seven years running and was named Microsoft’s OEM Distributor of the Year. The company ships out of five separate locations in North America, including its US headquarters in Harrisburg and its Canadian headquarters in Mississauga, Ontario. Additional US warehouses are located in Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; and Fresno, CA. Call D&H toll-free at (800) 340-1001 or visit www.dandh.com.
