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If you have worked in the radio industry, you know that dMarc aquiring Scott Studios and Computer Concepts was a pretty big deal back in 2004.  It didn’t surprise me then and today’s announcement doesn’t surprise me either.  Google has aquired dMarc, owner of thae Scott Studios automation system software.

Upon the announcement, a co-worker asked me what that would mean to the Scott Studios software running at radio stations and would it make it easier to find songs on those computers?  It was all I could do not to bust out laughing.

This is about advertising revenue.  Advertising is what Google is all about.  I said in a Red Sneaker Diaries episode back in 1996 that some big software company was going to become a part of the radio consolidation game.  I wrongly predicted that Microsoft would buy one of the large broadcasting companies.  Turns out that Google is purchaing the company that makes the software that runs four thousand plus of those stations.  The kicker is, dMarc has a software plugin that allows available commercial inventory to be filled via the web.  Here in lies the google hook.

How long until dMarc as a pluging for other radio station automation software packages?  Companies will think long and hard about this one.  A huge company is out there selling their inventory for them, with no sales person commissions to pay?  And only DJ’s thought they had to fear losing their jobs. 

So, now that google has made this aquisition, Microsoft is pounding away at a new search engine called “live” and some other little tricks to go after a new revenue stream.  Microsoft calls it adCenter.  Google’s is named, AdSense.  This is what Microsoft does. They look around for realy good ideas, barrow from those ideas, and make them pretty darn good.

Now that google has gotten into radio, how long until Microsoft does so? 

Matt Lienart’s comments typify exactly why I love the fact that USC lost.

“I think we are a better football team. They just made the plays in the end.”

Sorry loser, believing all the hype about USC. Now to hear the sports pundants saying that the game lived up to the hype. BULL$*1&. It was a great game. True, maybe the best championship game ever. But the hype was all about USC’s mythical “3-peat.” That was the hype. Texas was treated little better than a redheaded bastard step-child. I love rooting for the underdog. I love it more when they win. Vince Young was not without his classless actions either with his little “spank the ass” dance. I chose to forgive him though. I’ll consider it him snubbing those who snubbed him for the Hiesman. Great job Texas! Thanks for your part in a great football game.

Watching the bowls leading up to the Rose Bowl have really started to make me hope that Fox gets their sports thing together and gives ABC/ESPN a run for “roses.” Can I please enjoy a game without being inundated with how important the Rose Bowl is. Disney, the parent company of ABC/ESPN is basking in the financial sunshine of the added revenue from the recent increase in fees to cable/satellite operators, who in turn passed those new fees on to you the “cable” customer. In return for your kindness, ABC and ESPN have flooded us with an over abundance of horribly executed self promotion, including the In Justice series that looks like a yawner, and the superfluous hype for the “game of the century.” Is the USC/Texas game important? Sure. The hype to attract viewership is has gotten more fake than Anna Nichole Smith’s … ummm… intentions when marrying a man over the age of seventy. USC going for “three” national championships, ABC? Hype… You love touting the “home of the National Championship Game,” yet selectively single it out as the BCS National Championship Game to suit you needs. The AP and its self serving ways, are not much better. The whining in pulling out of the BCS format saying that they “report the news, not make the news” is complete bs. The fact that the AP has had a poll with their name on it makes news. If their intentions were true, they would have canceled their poll and reported on the BSC poll. This situation is setup for USC to “make history.” Frankly, I am hoping for Texas to win. Just so I can see who is intellectually honest and doesn’t look for excuses as to why USC lost and even more excuses as to why Texas won. Who ever wins, it will be because one team scored more points than the other. So it is triple overtime. What a great football gave that has been overshadowed by incessant banter about USC and Texas.

Penn State defeats the Noles’ with a storied field goal kick. This was a game that included two great coaches and two football teams that left it all on the field. Well coached teams with classy coaches. This is what football is all about. No one gave FSU a chance, especially with the recent legal issues for one of its players. Yet, that team pressed on.

Many LSU fans can’t stand Bobby Bowden. That is because he used to beat LSU way more often than not. He is a class act! This game was a class act. This telecast was less than classy.

I am one who believes in promotion and even self promotion. You can over do it though. ABC didn’t even do it right and over did it wrong. Let’s ignore the over-selling of the Texas/USC game. “The romance is back?” Is that what ABC wants to promote during a football game? No wonder their ratings are in the crapper. In Justice? This show is going to stiff. And over selling these mistakes does nothing but turn viewers off. There is such a thing as over doing it. ABC and ESPN have been overdoing it since the start of bowl play. Look for more of the same as ESPN starts airing the NFL next year.

Come on Fox and NBC. Step up and shut these guys up.

2006 has arrived with all the excitement of wilted lettuce. Frankly, I like it that way. After an eventful 2005, I am ready for a rear to recharge the proverbial batteries and retain perspective. Some of the events of 2005, and some of the people that I had dealings with, help me to realize what living life is really all about. Ironically it has been more about what not to do, rather than what to do. So, I guess I owe a thank you to the individuals who were the catalyst for these realizations; even to those that may have disagreements with.

May everyone have a blessed 2006.