The Move to “Smart TV”

Posted on | June 16, 2010 | No Comments

OK, so you think the term “Smart TV” is an oxymoron. Still, something is afoot here with Google, and to a lesser extent Apple (not to be underestimated) getting into the mix for the creation of a post-network television environment. I’m teaching a New Technologies in Advertising and Public Relations course this summer at NYU and we got a gift on the first day of class when Google announced a cooperative agreement with Sony Television, Intel, and Logitech to produce a new viewing (and advertising) experience called Google TV.

This video from Geek.com provides an explanation and some visuals of the user experience. (Click on the expanding arrows for a full screen view)

Consumer acceptance is crucial, but so is advertising support.

Google has risen to be the top-selling advertising firm in the world with over $20 billion in 2009 revenues. This beats the US $14 billion behemoths Omicom and WPP as well as other top advertising holding companies Interpublic, and Publicis, both with around $5 billion in 2008 revenues.

Can we add another $50 billion to Google’s revenues with the move to Smart TV?

Stay tuned to this channel for more on Google TV as I’m writing a paper on the topic for a conference in Hawaii in two weeks.

Anthony J. Pennings, PhD has been on the NYU faculty since 2001 teaching digital media, information systems management, and global political economy.

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