Association for Downloadable Media

I was emailed asking my opinion about this newly forming Association for Downloadable Media. I had not heard of it, so I went to the site and checked it out and read the FAQ. Here’s their self description from the homepage:

We are the newly formed industry association focused on providing standards for advertising and audience measurement for episodic and downloadable media.

Here’s the mission statement from the same page:

To provide leadership in and organization of advertising and audience measurement standards, research, education and advocacy to all those involved in portable media (Podcasts/ATOM/RSS media enclosures) across the Internet, iPods, MP3 players, mobile devices, P2P and other upcoming platforms.

My take is that their focus seems to be on the part that interests me the very least about the whole medium, so I have to give it a great big “YAWN.” There are people I know and like on their board, but I don’t think there is anything that will come out of this group of any real value to anyone. The best case is that they can come up with standards for bogus bullshit metrics that will make advertisers feel better about dumping their money in, but it won’t make those metrics any less bogus or bullshit. It will just be bullshit stamped with a seal of approval from the ADM. Yawn.

However, if this excites you then you as an individual can join the ADM for a mere $150 annual fee. Have at it!