Why?

Because it shows both what kind of man Bradley is and his vision of the online world and technology in general. Come on, faced with a pink slip would you have thought about not only starting a company but also pulling the team together who were also let go too?

Maybe, buy, but could you have pulled it off? Could you have a business doing great in year two with some pretty darn cool (secret) projects on the go?

Yeah I didn’t think so.

So here’s how it went down…

Media2o Productions was spun out of Chalk Media last year after the company abandoned the video production business to develop an e-learning application for smartphones. Although Chalk Media’s decision to shift gears proved successful – it’s finalizing its $23.1 million sale to BlackBerry-maker Research in Motion (TSX:RIM) – Bradley Shende, Media2o’s CEO, believes the sponsored-content premise that made Chalk Media’s show a success on television will translate to the Internet.

“In my opinion, they threw the baby out with the bathwater,” said Shende, an executive producer of Dave Chalk Connected for six years. “I ran outside and caught the baby – seven people that otherwise were looking at pink slips.”

With Shende as host, Media2o launched the second season of ConnectedLifeTV.com last November.

[From Business in Vancouver February 24-March 2, 2009; issue 1009]

Not bad eh?

Now you understand why I love coming to work everyday.

Okay the 52″ Sony Bravia sitting here to test out/shoot doesn’t hurt either.

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Here’s what we did.

Jack connected one of our camera to just a basic projector (a light one). Of course we mounted the projector (with zap straps, though duct tape would have been cooler) to a hockey helmet (of course) so where ever the wearer looked, the image went. We projected onto walls, a very strange thing made out of corrugated plastic, and whatever we felt like.

The reactions from the crowd were pretty cool. Come on it’s pretty cool to see your self projected 1.5 stories tall on a building.

Don’t believe me? Check out the set:

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Hey, was there anything interesting going on in the States this week?

I’m kidding of course because the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the US was not only huge news in the States, but around the world as well.

Social media played a pivotal role in Obama’s election, so it isn’t surprising that social media, and online video especially, would also figure prominently in his inauguration as well.

The CBC gave Bradley a ring this week for his take on this sea change in how we create and consume news and events. Here is what Bradley said in the CBC article:

User interactivity is becoming a key component in how people consume media online, said Bradley Shende, CEO of Media2o Productions, a Canadian company specializing in broadcast and online video production.

Video streaming “has been growing huge in the consumer space,” Shende told CBC News. “The more [people] consume, the more they become participants.” User-generated sites like YouTube.com have resulted in the “democratization of media,” he said.

Video is becoming the prevalent web format, said Shende, adding that while other features may attract people to a site, it is video that keeps them there.

[From Obama inauguration puts online video consumption into focus]

The more I’m working with online video, whether it’s the polished shows like ConnectedLife or the rough cut stuff that I do with a hand-held camera, the more I’m learning that we are truly changing the face of media.

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Regardless, like I said when tough times hit, it’s time to get creative. Creative like Kye Grace. I think this will give you an idea of what he’s doing:

With just a sleeping bag, pillow, computer and three days worth of food, Grace will be cloistered at 21-120 Powell Street from Friday, January 23rd at 10am until Monday January 26th at 10am. He’ll be available in person, over the internet via a Ustream video broadcast, Twitter and blog to answer any questions about the suite. Whether its noon Friday or Sunday at 3:45 am, the suite will also be available for viewing anytime during the 72 hour period.

[From Kye Grace (www.kyegrace.com) : The 72 Hour Open House]

Yeah to sell the property he’s going all out. Yes, totally there is press and media attention, I believe that is also called creative, low cost marketing, but what Kye is showing is the guts to try something totally crazy to get things done. He has a client with a property to sell. Kye wants to get the job done. Maybe he’ll find a buyer for the property, btw it looks awesome, maybe not, but no doubt people will remember that Kye Grace is the guy who stayed up all night to show a house (hmm, might attract the vampire market).

Here at M2O we’re thinking big too. We see the potential of the online and mobile video markets, especially for niche programming. Let’s take what you think video production is all about and turn it on its ear.

How about produce quick and fast then optimize for the web and mobile? How about invest in tools so we can do as much as we can in house? How about build a team who are all passionate about both their fields of expertise (writing, producing, editing, social media) and the whole video process. Oh and we all get along and click.

Yeah sounds good to me.

How about you?

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