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Solid point hat12trick. This quote in the last blog is on the same lines as your thoughts
"So, where are we today? Well, testing of beta in a controlled environment has started and we hope to roll this out to selected partners at the tail-end of January"
I believe its also important that DC immediately begins to go after the smaller accounts , (low hanging fruit). Since the company is leaner now its possible we can at least see them get to a break even point shorter term, which is critical for shareholders. They must focus on growing their core business which primarily consists of web developments, social media , and online advertising through SEO and PPC with the analytics technology platform carrot as a differentiator.
That's fine DannyMac262 but understand I am working without compensation to help DC gain new clients in the US. I just spent an an entire Sunday to go to NYC to meet Reggie. My IR compensation is the lowest in the industry and if you take out expenses its even lower. Look at my compensation in my IRP.
I have some ideas on how DC can pick up new business and I made some old contacts already. Keep in mind I use to own a similar company. This does not mean I will be successful or be able to help them in any significant manner. But I am trying and I was hardly and reason why Reggie came to the US. . A great part of my ability to help depends on how much time I can allot to this, and company cooperation. Time I can not promise but hope I have ample time to make a little difference. Once again I will not ask for compensation for this.
I have not profited from trading this stock and my position stands in the neighborhood of 65% down. My second biggest loss on paper ever on a stock if I recall correctly. I must put a IR compensation link on all my posts its the rules. If I ever think shareholders do not want me involved on the levels I am , I would gladly step aside.
I think most all of us did as well. That is why I stated 2012 will be the year that defines this company one way or the other. Reggie's expertise, DC core business, and the new technology being developed has me seeing the glass half full versus half MT
Not at all. My post was directed at no one but if the shoe fits wear it. I see a company that has been trying to do things right and working hard to make a honest go of their business in the micro cap public arena. An arena which volume is dying because of all the scams and manipulation. One that has remained fully reporting and has communicated with shareholders better than most. Have they made mistakes in their first 1 to 1.5 years in business? absolutely have. But these kinds of mistakes are not uncommon with a young company. The key is learn from them get on track and make it right
2012 will be the year that defines this young company one way or the other imo.
I can say what a gimme this filing would bring. I could have named and bet a couple posters that would have something negative to say about this filing no matter whats in it or when its filed. One would think they would spend their time trying to save investors from the myriad of non reporting companies. Companies which we really don't have key pieces of information available. Then again they don't care about helping anyone is my second bet I could take both to the bank.
Always good to see the company is committed to continuing to file their SEC reports and remaining a fully reporting company. The CEO left in September that surely created an abundance of extra work. We have currency fluctuations and more complicated tax issues being revenues are from our British subsidiary . Keep in mind Reggie mentioned in one of his blogs a while back he was preparing for a in house audit as part of this filing. This gives me an extra layer of confidence RTG's filing will be accurate. It is costly to remain fully reporting and it separates the company from a very large number of companies that aren't in this arena. The company took advantage of an allowed extension and filed for it on time.
If they ever fail to file a 10Q or 10K on time which I expect will never happen then its a different story.
US Trip – Part 2, Technology
http://www.reggiejames.org/2011/11/trip-part-2-technology/
Posted by Reggie James | Filed under Music Marketing, RTG Ventures
So, I mentioned in my last post some of the structural changes that were being made. I wanted to take this opportunity to share and update you on some the changes to our technology platform.
In doing so, it is important to put things into perspective and to understand that the review process, which has been both a positive experience and crucial to realign the company’s vision toward a meaningful market, which in turn leads to revenues.
Square Pegs, Round Holes
CloudChannel was born out of a concept that would look to change the way streaming media was monetized online. Aimed at rights owners, the idea was to disrupt the blanket media license model that exists today. Why? The idea for the platform was created back in 2010 and the evolving landscape has put paid to many of the good ideas that were to be developed.
With the growth of ‘the cloud’ or ‘cloud computing’ that was defined as ‘computing as a service’ as well an accessible storage area that houses applications such as data and the like, the name was beginning to look cumbersome and at best, a little confusing.
On top of the name, CloudChannel had become an unwieldy beast that was adding on new features at a rate of knots that was akin to a juggernaut heading toward stationary traffic.
As alluded to in the recent audio interview, it has been a busy time trying to unravel CloudChannel’s first phase alongside the plethora of different elements that had to be built in moving the platform forward.
As the commoditization of micro-payments and streaming technology became commonplace, the various delays and market changes meant that CloudChannel would be playing catching-up in certain areas and trying to sell a new concept in others. In many ways, creating more layers, parallel to what already existed and was extensively being used.
Development time to make the platform viable was also becoming an issue. Software that would allow scalability alongside application developments would have become challenging, in the original framework architecture. Alongside this, the application of Social Media into the platform was sadly more of an afterthought than a core consideration.
When one also looked some of the disparate elements of the project, it was also clear that when looking at the reporting capability of the technology, there would be a challenge to pull data into logical segments that would make sense. In other words, the management capability was being focused on but not the important reporting layer that made sense of the data.
In short, the sentiment of CloudChannel was there but it would have created another hoop to jump through before using the strong channels that existed already and have any deep penetration and engagement.
Again, though the above may seem harsh, as I mentioned earlier, it is important to put this into a rational perspective. Through a direct approach, it is vital to understand, It is not a lesser technology, it’s a real technology that has huge scope (beyond music) compared to the CloudChannel concept that no-one understood, was confusing and which meant something different to everyone I spoke to. More importantly, it allows us to focus on deliverables and revenues.
Deconstruction
A brief and un-scientific straw poll into the market showed that that the world was moving to the beat of a different drum. That drum was driven by Social Media and it was becoming crucial to all aspects of business. From the corporate Fortune 500 to the music and entertainment buying public, engagement was the name of the game.
Having to re-engineer a software platform is never easy, doing this with an incumbent piece of technology made the challenge stronger still.
Head in the Clouds to finger on the Pulse
The delivery of the new technology is based on stripping out all that is unnecessary and non-actionable and moulding the product around need.
Taking the DC pragmatic approach, it was agreed that a fast scalable platform would be used to ramp-up development and ‘ruby-on rails’ was the weapon of choice.This would also allow for first stage shaping of the platform for tablets and mobile apps.
So, where are we today? Well, testing of beta in a controlled environment has started and we hope to roll this out to selected partners at the tail-end of January. I mentioned in my last post, the quote from Eric Ries, author of the Lean Start up, “The goal of a lean start-up is to move through the build-measure-learn feedback loop as quickly as possible.” Well, given where we started 12 months ago and the review and application of much needed changes, we have come a long way, quickly.
I hope that gives some insight into what has happened over the last few weeks. As much as I would love to say more, it would be wrong of me to do so at this stage, mainly due to commercial restrictions.
In my next post, I will outline some of the meetings and feedback of the new approach and discuss some of the exciting forward looking plans for 2012 and beyond.
Permalink | November 30th, 2011
According to the blog today we will get more details on the trip on Wednesday
Practical Changes
Behind the scenes and over the next 4-6 weeks will see changes that roll-out to reflect the new era of RTG Ventures. Alongside the wholesale changes there will also be cosmetic changes to areas such as websites and naming conventions.
Unlike before, the changes will have reasoning and where necessary, be communicated via various channels. I say where necessary as we need to keep a competitive advantage in what we do.
In my next blog, which will come out Wednesday, I will talk about the deconstruction of our technology and in my penultimate blog of the series, I will go into detail on the trip and why I had to test our new approach in the harshest and biggest entertainment arena in the world, Los Angeles, California.
I had the opportunity to meet in NYC with Reggie. He clearly lays out as you posted what he has identified in the technologies that existed in cc channel as well as planning for organic growth from the core business of DC
We have shown countless DD here about the sector described. How large its expected to be and how it is ever changing providing new opportunity all the time. We are in the right sector at the right time. I do not find DC behind I find them up to date on technology and more importantly what impressed me the most looking ahead of the curve in many aspects planning and developing for what lies ahead. I tested that belief by contacting a solid company in my area that I use to do business with. We discussed where they are in their online marketing and what DC can do for them. We will be meeting the first part of the year to discuss how DC can grow their business. It was clear we have everything any other company can offer, Highest level expertise in all areas, and new technology that potentially can put DC far apart from most.
It took the company over a year to gain the right focus. I would have preferred they got on the right path in a more organized fashion rather than the way things transpired. Regardless I believe the company is indeed on the right path its a leaner company and expect a big year in 2012
Blog from Reggie
Great to see he delivered on the first event he promissed. Looks like more to come on this topic in short order.
Http://www.reggiejames.org/2011/11/trip-review-part-1/
Reggie did a tweet on your video
"Great video from Jonny Pecker and the Beaver Bustin' Pickle Weasels (Drive-By Mustache) - check it!
I agree with you blitz I have a strong desire to see this win big and very driven to help. I believe the entire company is driven. Good to see your continued strong support. Your one of the many people that deserve success with this stock. Best of luck to everyone for a prosperous 2012. One thing I am just about 100% sure about. This company will not lack a very strong dedicated relentless effort.
Sorry for the confusion. The contents of the article was the point of the post.. The other was an advertisement posted with the NY times article. Heard it was a good movie kept it there. Glad you got to see it at a discount : )
I forgot to add a comment about the social media domain which has a totally different causes for being down
The Digital Clarity Social was an experiment and the site was taken away as there is there is no separate social side to Digital Clarity. The Social site was taken down as it was confusing Digital Clarity by its very nature is a social media company.
Audigist has been down due to a variety of reasons.
Firstly and rather sadly, it has been prone to some suspicious activity that after further investigation may have more serious ramifications - hence the delay.
Secondly and more importantly, it is being dovetailed into a bigger project that will be discussed and revealed over the coming weeks.
The site will be back up under the domain http://audigist360.com/ till the other issues are finalized.
The above is info I got from the company. My personal take is that the domains look tampered with . I am not concerned with Cloud Channel because that was only a holding page. We all know DC is developing it and reshaping it to bring the potential of new revenues in the short term
I commend Reggie and DC for getting Audigist back up and running quickly after an apparent attack. If indeed this was an illegal attack on these sites it was an attack not only against RTG but against the members of Audigist and all shareholders.
I said weeks ago it felt like someone was trying to hurt us with the way the stock acted. Now I am very suspicious. Just my personal take
I heard your music and liked it very much. If you want to incorporate a link to it in one of your posts its certainly on topic
I called Reggie about this issue. I will post on it later as I am pressed for time and need to get to a computer I am mobile at this time. In the meantime here is Audigist
Http://audigist360.com/
ARTS | November 19, 2011
Critic's Notebook: For Some, Free Music Is an Investment That Pays Off
By JON CARAMANICA
Mac Miller, Wale and J. Cole have topped the charts after carefully nurturing an Internet fan base.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/19/arts/music/for-mac-miller-wale-and-j-cole-free-music-pays-off.html?emc=eta1
The Descendants
Starring George Clooney, and directed
by Alexander Payne (Sideways, Election)
Now Playing in theaters.
Watch the trailer
http://www.foxsearchlight.com/thedescendants/
Good to see you back as a mod Grandmasim welcome home lol
The sites are down for maintenance this weekend.
This is part of some of on-going changes and that most are holding pages anyway. I expect the Ibox will be changing soon as new material will be added. Lets keep in mind as Reggie spoke about in his audio he is re forming the ideas of CC into a platform that can not only come to market in the shorter term but can provide new revenue streams without losing the great potential CC represents.
Good to see some green here. This appears to be shaping up to be a good week next week
This is the section of the article that relates to social media
# Social media savvy consumers (frequent users of at least one social media tool, including Facebook, Twitter, mobile phone applications such as Foursquare or Urban Spoon, or online review sites such as Yelp) are more active in the restaurant community and dine out more frequently than the general public.
# More than eight out of 10 restaurant operators say social media will become a more important marketing tool in the future. More than half also say they are likely to incorporate Facebook, online review sites, Twitter and blogs into their marketing mix in the next two years.
Interesting article I found while browsing. I never considered the restaurant industry as a potential huge client for social media companies.
It is and is expected to grow significantly
http://www.restaurant.org/pressroom/social-media-releases/release/?page=social_media_2011_forecast.cfm
Agree RTGV bottom bounce coming
I think your spot on Mick. Timing looks right to me. RTGV strong volume last couple days. Should be ready to bounce
I agree Koolmc. That is the biggest issue here is lack of support. Company has to give some good reasons soon to bring in that support. I have heard from quite a few fellow shareholders that want to average down. Seems like most are waiting for that one good piece of news to get the confidence to do so
No their debt is not that high and their accumulative loss accounts for a wonderful tax write off when new revenues and profits come
The root of all evil is indeed money. In the end justice is served.We all leave this world with nothing
Yes they can wipe out the common holder. This is just another example of why penny stocks are very risky. Those warnings are not there for the fun of it. We are witnessing dying volume in pennies all the time. Main reason all the scams. Eventually I think they will do away with all non reporting companies and weed out many of those too. Its been legalized corruption in the penny market for a long time
easy to go private with few shares and few shareholders.
I have to admit I never expected this route.
Social media experts are in demand
"On any given week, we may see hundreds of new social media jobs posted,"
The number of social media-related jobs on Monster has surged 75 percent over the last year
Ray said that businesses are more often turning to marketing professionals for their social network needs rather than handing the job to tech-savvy youths
http://www.ydr.com/rss/ci_19063544?source=rss
The point of posting all the info on social media whether it pertains to B2B, B2C, or even C2C is that we are just beginning and have a great deal to learn. It is becoming imperative that companies engage to survive. Many new tools are needed and new approaches. Taking a close look at Digital Clarity its quite easy to see they are far from missing a train. They are a company in the right place at the right time. There is ample opportunity for them to expand in a big way as well as develop platforms with needed tools that donlt even exist yet. Keep in mind we are not just talking the big social sites like Facebook and Twitter there are well over 20 sites social networking sites worth marketing to or providing tools to market with.
That of course does not guarantee success they still must execute. Point is don't fear they are missing any train at this point.
This article talks about B2C social media techniques but not limited to. It clearly shows most companies are not engaging properly and are set to fail
http://www.toprankblog.com/2011/06/social-business-smarts-brian-solis/
Here is an article that makes it very clear that we are at the very beginning stages of social media. Many new tools are needed as well. This article deals with B2B marketers.
http://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?id=1008689&R=1008689
You really nailed it with this post. There are opportunities coming that have not even surfaced yet. It goes well beyond the music industry. Every single company that markets online included
I don't think people ever took a close look at what Digital Clarity is doing. This stock has always been about Cloud Channel and a disruptive technology. Some poor marketing and development decisions from the get go IMO by RTG. This should have been all about DC and the new technology should have been in house. This is not uncommon though. Companies go through many changes of directions in the process of building a business especially technology. This group has been together for a relatively short time. They made some serious changes recently and appear very confident they are on not only the right track but fast track to success. Digital Clarity has shown strong growth lets hope that is still evident in the next filings.
We are moving into a Digital and Social media age. I posted articles showing that the biggest problem that exists is not enough skilled people to handle it. Digital Clarity has some of the highest of skill levels. DD surely confirms that. The market is ripe for them to expand. What better place to expand but the USA.
You posted earlier about Vevo. Reggie is doing his own development with the CC platform. I expect it will change significantly and still remain unique and something the music industry as well as every online business can use. Technology and great ideas don't wait though. DC must move fast. Lets hope the US trip nets some strong alliances and new business right out of the gate
Digital Clarity is just going to have to prove to the market what it can do. If/when they do things change here in a hurry. Perhaps one or two good deals away
There is more news backing up the growth in DC’s market – this time for Adobe – we are definitely in the right space
http://www.nma.co.uk/news/adobe-restructures-business-to-focus-on-digital-marketing-and-media/3031774.article
There has been a lot in the news recently about Google launching their social network service Google+ to the business community.
Reggie did a piece on it and it has been published.
http://www.startups.co.uk/google-for-business-what-you-need-to-know.html
Sorry to see you go but I have to comment on a couple things and mean no disrespect for you because I always like your posting.
1. They announced that a large shareholder bought 8m shares so existing shareholders would know many of the shares bought in sub penny land landed in strong hands. Rather than they were all bought by various swing traders. Very good to know. I completely support them notifying shareholders of the new investor.It was not meant to give themselves credit it was notifying shareholders of a significant event
You make suggestions on what Reggie should have done with CC without ever seeing the state it was in. Did you ever think it was a lost cause to pursue the same path? Did you ever think Dom's demos may have had more questions then answers? Only someone that saw them could answer. Perhaps Reggie is taking what he can from CC while developing it in a different fashion that can make this product come to market soon. That is what he has basically said he is doing. He also is claiming every company that markets online can use this technology platform. Therefore the potential is as big as ever. He may be 100% spot on in terms of what needs to be done. No one that has not reviewed all the technology in detail, present and past, can accurately voice an opinion as to what he should do with Dom's version of CC. Only time will tell if he can be successful. But to cast doubts on Reggie for any of the above reasons just does not fit imo
If Reggie does start to show he is on the right path with developments those buying shares at the companies lowest level in their history could be quite pleased. Existing shareholders could start to see a recovery.
The fact is the market never supported this stock since the acquisitions. News never had impact. The market overall did not like what RTG was doing with CC. If it did the stock would have moved on some of their news. The stock has had trouble moving for a long time. Lets see if the market likes what Reggie is doing once he has a chance to get more info out.
There will always be people that take delight in others suffering. That's why news reporting focus on dirty laundry. Obviously something seriously missing in their lives. Still no excuse for that behavior and it gets answered in the end.