| News and Research Update
Outsell Stresses “The Agility Imperative” in 2008 Industry Forecast
In their just-released “Information Industry Outlook 2008,” Outsell identifies the 2008 Meta-Issue as “The Agility Imperative.” According to the report, the challenge for traditional publishers and media companies is to maximize productivity while investing in the resources that make the most of the shift from print to digital. Outsell asserts that success will depend on publishers transforming into highly adaptive, flexible solutions providers, with the agile mindset and processes necessary in today’s environment.
Macrovision believes that Outsell’s “Agility Imperative” means our solutions for enhancing, protecting and delivering content online are more relevant than ever. Macrovision’s Content Access Control Solution gives information publishers the flexibility to manage who gets access to what, under what terms – in myriad ways and at very granular levels. And it does so in a way that minimizes dependence on IT. Macrovision’s Digital Commerce Solution provides these same access control capabilities, and it also enables extreme agility with regard to business models – allowing organizations to offer content via subscription, pay-per-view or -use, bundles, and more.
Also in the report, Outsell forecasts steady and moderate market growth from 2007 to 2010, with performance varying among the 11 vertical information industry segments and key customer groups that fuel the $362 billion information industry. The report includes:
- 2007 estimated revenues and 2007-2010 forecasted compound annual growth rates for key information industry segments;
- Market share of the top 10 companies in each segment;
- Insights about disruptive new entrants and rising stars in each segment;
- Major market drivers and trends impacting each segment;
- Key insights about the principal markets for information - end users, enterprises, and advertising funding;
- Outsell's essential actions for publishers and information providers in 2008.
Click here if you’re interested in more information about Outsell’s “Information Industry Outlook 2008.”
PCI Compliance Deadlines Are Upon Us
If your organization stores, transmits or processes credit card information, you’re probably familiar with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) which outlines the credit card industry’s minimum requirements for payment account data security. But what you may not know is that the deadlines for compliance are already upon us.
The compliance deadline for businesses processing more than 6 million credit card transactions a year was September 30, while the deadline for businesses conducting over 20,000 credit card transactions annually is December 31, 2007.
It’s essential to determine where you stand and what steps you should take to achieve PCI compliance; otherwise you could be subject to hefty fines and other penalties as directed by each individual credit card company. Your organization could even lose the ability to process credit cards altogether.
Macrovision helps organizations meet several of the requirements for PCI compliance with technology that protects cardholder data in multiple ways – a critical requirement of the standard. In fact, it’s this requirement that more than 79 percent of organizations fail according to a recent VeriSign study*. In addition, Macrovision’s technology can restrict and track access to data, which further protects customer information and creates records that can be useful in the auditing process.
To learn more about the requirements and how Macrovision can help you achieve PCI compliance, click here. For more information about PCI DSS in general, visit the PCI Security Standards Council’s Web site.
*Lessons Learned: Top Reasons for PCI Audit Failure and How to Avoid Them, VeriSign Global Security Consulting Services, 2007.
top
Feature Story
Marketing to 3 Million Online Subscribers Made Easy
Macrovision is now helping the world’s largest publication-based Web site maximize the value of its content with its recent launch of Macrovision’s Digital Commerce Solution.
With nearly 3 million active, paid subscribers, the renowned B-to-C Web site is leveraging sophisticated access control and commerce solutions to support its rapidly growing subscriber base and automate the renewal process.
Macrovision’s Digital Commerce Solution gives the Web site the tools to grow revenue from premium content, acquire new customers and improve retention rates. It provides advanced authentication, authorization, delegated administration and product definition capabilities, allowing the Web site control over exactly who accesses what digital product, and under what terms. The Digital Commerce Solution also gives the Web site powerful pricing, promotion, billing, payment and customer care functionality to flexibly and securely sell their digital content online.
Aside from the sheer volume supported with the launch, other highlights include the Web site’s ability to better:
- Implement flexible business models, including pay-per-slot licenses, and monthly and annual subscriptions
- Sell print and online products together by integrating with third-party print fulfillment systems
- Offer gift subscriptions, and brick-and-mortar retail purchase of subscriptions through our claim ticketing system
- Differentiate between different types of users, such as employees, donors, visitors and subscribers
- Execute more targeted marketing campaigns, including promotions, quickly and easily
The Web site is configured so that all site visitors have free access to certain areas of content, while subscribers have the ability to view ratings, recommendations, print content and archived information, as well as participate in online discussions. Visitors to the Web site can subscribe to some online products for a monthly or annual fee, or receive other online offerings through a one-time fee.
Macrovision’s Digital Commerce Solution offers the flexibility that the Web site requires to “slice and dice” its content differently for different types of users. The solution also enables the Web site to charge subscribers on a periodic basis, as well as provide the option to change business models or pricing on the fly, in real time.
For more information about Macrovision’s Digital Commerce Solution, click here.
top
Industry Events
Global Online Media Highlighted at Outsell’s Signature Event
Last month, Outsell’s Signature Event, coproduced with JEGI, was held at the Kiawah Island Golf Resort on Kiawah Island, SC which provided a beautiful backdrop for an informative-rich conference. The invitation-only event, themed “A View of the Future for CEOs and Managing Directors in Media & Information,” was attended by CEOs, COOs, presidents and managing directors of global media and information companies.
Outsell kicked off the event with a golf outing, followed by two days of keynote sessions. One of the hot topics at the conference, encapsulated in the post-event press release, was a jump in M&A activity. In that same vein, consumer online media was highlighted as a key growth area.
Macrovision, a sponsor of the event, recently announced the acquisition of All Media Guide (AMG) – one of the world’s largest providers of information databases and metadata for entertainment products. From the press release announcing the acquisition:
“In an era when consumers have many choices, cell phone manufacturers, electronics device makers and service providers want to make video and all other entertainment content quick and easy to find,” said Fred Amoroso, CEO of Macrovision. “AMG plays a critical role in enhancing the overall consumers’ user experience in searching, discovering, purchasing and enjoying entertainment media. Its offerings complement [Macrovision’s] existing solutions and partnerships for helping content owners monetize their digital media assets and device makers retain and grow their customer base.”
Other topics at Outsell’s Signature Event included globalization, fair use, Outsell’s 2008 industry forecast, the environment and other pertinent issues for today’s information industry leaders. For more information about next year’s event, click here.
London Online Information 2007
Last week, Macrovision joined global information industry professionals at Olympia Grand Hall in London for Online Information 2007. A leading exhibition and conference, Online Information 2007 presented exhibits and sessions spanning the needs and interests of organizations who create, find, manage or share information over the Web.
One of the conference tracks, “Understanding Users and Their Needs” covered areas that correspond with Macrovision’s solutions for information publishers. Macrovision’s Content Access Control and Digital Commerce Solutions help content providers gain insight into user behavior and demographics through advanced registration: a variety of user registration options, including standard, threshold, tiered and promotional models. In addition, Macrovision’s solutions allow users to self-manage their accounts, contributing to customer satisfaction.
Each year, Online Information provides an excellent venue for learning and networking, enabling organizations to stay ahead of the curve in the ever-changing information industry. For additional details about Online Information, click here.
Macrovision Sponsors SIIA 2008 Information Industry Summit
Macrovision is proud to be a silver sponsor of the Software and Information Industry Association’s (SIIA) 7th annual Information Industry Summit, taking place January 30-31 at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City. One of the industry’s flagship conferences, the 2007 Summit was attended by more than 400 senior business leaders representing publishers, content technology companies, bankers, analysts and press. In 2008, an even greater turnout is anticipated for presentations and discussions centered on the transformation of the digital world.
Macrovision representatives will be onsite to discuss both the Content Access Control and Digital Commerce Solutions for information publishers. For more information about the SIIA Information Industry Summit or to register, click here. (NOTE: Save $400 with early-bird registration through December 17.)
top
Customer Corner
Integrating RightAccess and RightCommerce with External Systems
RightAccess and RightCommerce not only offer flexible and reliable ecommerce capabilities, but they also integrate with pre-existing systems to provide smooth and centralized operations. Whether integrating with one or several disparate technologies, from identity management to financial systems, RightAccess and RightCommerce can provide complementary functionality to ultimately cut costs and maximize revenue potential for our customers.
For ways you can consolidate data and operations by integrating RightAccess and RightCommerce with content management systems, accounts receivable systems and other mission-critical applications, download the datasheet.
New Process to Obtain RightAccess and RightCommerce Updates
We’re pleased to announce a new and improved process for customers with current support plans to obtain RightAccess and RightCommerce products and updates. With this new, Web-based process, both parties – Macrovision and our customers – will have better records of when and how RightAccess and RightCommerce are delivered.
If you would like more information about how to take advantage of this process, please contact your Macrovision account manager.
top |
