Some interesting stats here:

• Awareness of podcasting grew from 37% of Americans to 43%
• Podcast listeners are extensive social network users.
• One in four Americans indicated that they have ever downloaded and watched/listened to an audio or video podcast
• The number one reason given for podcast consumption was time-shifting–the ability to consume content whenever the consumer desires.
• Podcast consumers continue to be attractive advertising targets; yet are increasingly unreachable through traditional, interrupt advertising
• Podcast listeners are a highly educated and affluent
• Podcast consumers spend more than 7hrs per week on line.
• 18-44 male listeners tends to be the major consumer demographic
• Power watching is an interesting term

The suggest that 27M Americans have listened to a podcast because they want to listen or watch content when ever they want to. They (Americans) lke the time shifting convenience.

With recent sales calls that we at Knowledge Hemispheres have made in the UK, we notice that there is still limited awareness of what a podcast is! However, this may change as the purchase of MP3 players continues to rise. It is also worth considering how much is downloaded Vs how much is watched/listened to ondemand.

It would also be interesting to see what type of podcasts are popular.

Let us see what the shifts will be in 2010?

Click here to view the embedded video.

The following video shows how social media, especially through Twitter seems to have lead the campaign to ensure its removal.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The company concerned have now provided a public apology via their website and have suggested that it will take time for associated printed adverts to be recalled from new stands.

As I said in my personal post, we have the power to create a lobby for change. If enough of us unite and rally for the eradication of poverty we can win.

Let us take a look at another example. Certain High Street retailers are relying on local agents in developing countries to manage the production of clothes. The profit is realised when you see the knock down sales price during the up and coming sales. In the developed world our expectations on price are conditioned. We need to demand accountability from CEO’s who should be rewarded on ethical production.

Just watch the following featuring a garment trader middleman & under age workers …

Click here to view the embedded video.

In a world where we have so much power at our finger tips, it is now time to use it for social change.

People rush to get a bargain I wish the same energy was in our hearts to make poverty history!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Last Wednesday Knowledge Hemispheres recently edited the video for Bal Rashmi Children’s orphanage (see below).
I wondered if the the power of Web 2.0 and New Media tools is being used to help spread a message of hope.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The power of YouTube, Ning and Facebook have the potential to spread knowledge and also unite people around a common cause.

For example:

• Short field based documentaries
• Community based volunteer sites
• Inserting into Podcasts (video and audio) advertisements to help raise funds
• Announcements on areas of need and development
• ‘Live’ updates from those taking part in Sponsored events
• Journalists logging key, ‘on the ground’ facts
• Corporate charity activities – if involved – e.g: Corporate podcasts with updates
• Linking schools and initiatives together through Youtube type channels / Video sharing sites

I recently met an exBBC producer who said that the good thing about new media was that no longer are enormous transporters required to carry audio and video equipment to produce shows. He was right but only for mobile and web-content. However, good editing tools and associated skills can help in developing engaging content.

There must be an opportunity here for new media to usher in an era of reporting with hope for humanity in mind.