The iPod product line from Apple is quickly evolving from music players into feature-rich portable content delivery devices. Introduced in the fall of 2005, Apple's latest iPod model adds a color LCD screen, video playback, and the ability to store and view photos. This opens up a whole new way to distribute multimedia content.
The iPod also has created a new wealth of opportunity for businesses and advertisers. According to an eMarketer study, predictions show that the audience for podcasts which are syndicated audio feeds for playback on the iPod, will reach more than 50 million by 2010. Video podcasts are predicted to grab 75 percent of all podcast dollars.
With this kind of reach and visibility podcasting quickly has become a tool for businesses to brand, sell, educate, entertain and drive traffic online. Once listeners subscribe to a feed, the new content is delivered automatically to their computer and easily synched to an iPod for portable access. Podcasting is attractive to media buyers because it caters to today's on-demand and time-sensitive consumer.
Our clients have already explored the possibilities of iPod technology. Earlier this year, Allsteel worked with Silver Oaks to create and then load its 'Celebrate' video onto new iPods as an incentive giveaway for NeoCon? 2006, the largest interior-design conference in the United States.
For publisher McGraw-Hill, Silver Oaks is developing 25 microbiology animations that will be available for students to download on their video iPods. The animations are designed to enhance the learning experience and student study material.
Because of its increase in popularity, the iPod is gaining momentum as a mainstream marketing and communications tool for businesses. The film and music industries, museums, exhibits and educational institutions are all using iPod technology and its numerous capabilities.
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