We are living in a Golden Age of Television and I am not ashamed to say that I watch at least 20 hours a week. Way more than I ready books, but far less than I use the internet.

That’s why Google’s announcement at Google I/O made me so excited. Think back to GMail. Gmail took what we all love about email and made it easier, more useful, and more meaningful by adding search, personalization, and simplicity.

Keyboard? I’m most nervous about the typing…currently, my DirecTV has a pretty cool search feature…but, it’s crappy with the remote and interface. Are we going to have to use a keyboard?

Android Integration This could be the “killer app” for both Android and Google TV. If they were able to turn the mobile phone into a smart remote control, that would improve the value proposition for both.

Additionally, that could usher in a whole new era of TV personalization if flawless integration with Android worked well. Most of my favorite TV recommendations came from friends whose numbers I have in my mobile phone. Would love to see all that magic social network stuff play out here and recommend exactly what I would like.

Super excited, sign me up now.

There is so much insight here:

1) The internet is a better showcase of talent beyond the CV and interview
2) Agency types google themselves all the time
3) Excellent creative work can be done in search ad copy format
4) Finding a keyword niche (names) that reaches influencers (creative directors) can have a big payoff (awesome job)

Here’s a plug to Alec Brownstein”s Blog, I’m keeping my eye on it.

Joseph Thornley did a quick google trends query to see how people are searching for terms I’m interested in on the web. No surprise….PR is no equal with Social Media and Social Networking.

Also interesting is that Social Media has caught up with Social Networking in terms of search volume.

This is an index number, so don’t think that PR is going away…all this shows is that people are searching for Social Media and Social Networking as much as PR.

IMPLICATION – Social has to be one of the key pieces integrated into a comprehensive communications strategy. It works best when it is a piece that operates together as part of an overall strategy, and companies are expecting that.

Anyone working on the internet should always be prepared for this question …What is Web 3.0? The semantic web is a boring term and it’s also incredibly hard to explain. This video does a pretty good job.

What works for me is the word “PERSONALIZATION” This is the benefit that all the hard core Techies can agree with AND is simple enough to describe to management as a big idea.

Bartle Bogle Hegarty (HHS) did the creative on these wonderful spots. In a world where every marketing department wants a “viral video”, Google succeeds through a combination of 1) Excellent creativity. 2) Production Execution and MOST IMPORTANTLY 3) Tying the content to the product benefits.

I’ve always been a huge geek for Google Chrome, but never quite been able to explain to my Mom or Dad why they should get it. These videos do a much better job of explaining it without any words.

I used to work for Allstate and would intensely study the competition and what they were doing. American Family and USAA were a company I always watched. I really loved how she said that AmFam listened in Social Media for a Full Year before leaping in.

This is a great podcast too – http://brandfasttrackers.com. It’s now one of my regular listens.