I have been telling everyone and anyone who will listen that online video is where search was in 2001. Essentially: a major component of the online media ecosystem desperately looking for a business model. No one knew those little text ads would propel a $10B market. But, they did. No one knew Google would be one of America’s five most valuable companies, but it is.
Today CBS echoes what I have been saying, and, well, let’s face it, that bears a bit more stock than when I say it. The statement comes from Patrick Keane, CBS’ CMO, who says: “The video market of 2008 ‘feels like search did in 2002.’ That is, it’s still in a “primordial” stage.”
It’s worth nothing, Keane was formerly at Google, you know, that little company that took over search and is trying to take over online video.
In fact, I project that online video will overtake search by 2018.