What do Nokia, Google, Verizon and Sprint all have in common?
There are many potential answers to this question; however the most obvious answer is; they are all media companies.
Sure, Google claims not to be a media company, Verizon and Sprint are traditionally known as telecom networks and Nokia is largely credited as a producer of technology hardware. Still, the line between hardware, software and information networks (distribution) is becoming increasingly obscured, whether these brands like it or not, and whether they are catalysts for these shifts or simply adapting to the ever changing communications/media ecosystem.
4 Examples of How Communications Brands Are Going Through an Identity Crisis:
Verizon As Television Network- Verizon Wireless, the company with the most customers of any wireless brand, and MediaFLO USA, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated , today announced the fall lineup for V CAST Mobile TV from Verizon Wireless, a service of MediaFLO USA. More than 10 new fall shows are scheduled to debut on V CAST Mobile TV at the same time as they air on traditional TV-- BASKING RIDGE, N.J. and SAN DIEGO, Sept. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall
- Nokia As Digital Content Provider And Social Network
Sprint As ISP- Sprint and others tout WiMax -- essentially a beefed-up form of WiFi -- as a crucial technology for the future of Internet access. The telecom giant and smaller rival Clearwire Corp announced in July that they will team up to cover 100 million people with WiMax networks by 2008.
Google As Mobile Social Network- In addition to recent speculation about the gPhone and Google beefing up it’s mobile ad offering, acquisition of Zingku by the search giant is yet another sure sign that the company aims to be more than a mere technology company
Tags: nokia, verizon, Sprint, media, Google, television, networks, MediaFLO, Social Network, Sprint, ISP, Wimax, Clearwire, Mobile Social Network, Zingku