How do we know that? History is the best predictor: Initially top YouTube stars could garner attention from Google and resolve issues. That’s in part because YouTube, the virtual monopoly on distribution, is increasingly turning its attention to more mainstream studios and traditional networks. As YouTube grows, it will be increasingly difficult for individual studios to command the attention they’ve received in the past. The online-video networks, or “multichannel networks,” will now have a collective voice they’ll need more in coming years. GOVA may help keep her attention on smaller studios.īargaining Power with YouTube. Susan Wojcicki, leader of YouTube, is focused on mainstream players.What’s ahead, and what does GOVA mean to the networks and the maturing landscape of online video? So this is all my speculation based on watching this space mature. But I haven’t spoken to him in a while and know nothing directly about his GOVA appointment. He was even in one of my videos where I thought I turned invisible. GOVA represents 9 of the top 10 online-video studios, or MCNsĬaveat: I know Kontonis and like him (which is why I am allowed to call him a gavone as a term of respect). Machinima is conspicuously absent, but unlikely for long (it’s quite common for the biggest in an industry to initially think they don’t need an association). These include Collective, Maker Studios, Fullscreen, Big Frame, BroadbandTV, DECA, Discovery’s Revision3, Magnet Media and MiTu Networks. GOVA is made up of nine of the top MCNs (also called online-video studios and “new networks”). Paul Kontonis is the gavone who heads GOVA, the new online-video trade association.īy day, Kontonis heads sales and strategy for one of the top “multichannel networks” (MCNs) called Collective Digital Studio. Kontonis has been a leader in the online video space from its inception, including such roles as founder of “For Your Imagination,” VP at Digitas’ Third Act, and chairman of International Academy of Web Television. The guy who’s scream silences a room.ĪdWeek reports that Paul Kontonis, former online video producer and agency guy, is heading the new Global Online Video Association ( GOVA). The leader of the online video association.