AC Quits!

[WyethDigital]

We all know the news by now. Or at least I think we all do. To summarize: The other AC -- Amanda Congdon -- has quit Rocketboom. (http://www.rocketboom.com/vlog/) Well, according to her, it almost sounds as if she were forced to quit. Whatever the behind-the-scenes drama that is unfolding is really inconsequential to the fact that half of the dynamic duo that built Rocketboom into such a powerhouse is gone.

Yes Andrew created it, yes he owned 51% of the company... But without Amanda, can you say RB would have had the same success? It's hard to say. You could argue that RB was such an early comer, and it was different enough from what was there that they couldn't help but be successful. I disagree. I think it was partly Amanda that made them different and helped them to stand out.

So now that RB has lost Amanda, what happens to RB? They're planning on replacing her, but can you? Will there be a vlog vacuum?

What are your thoughts?

Eric

[inoveryourhead]

There is no f*cking way in hell that Rocketboom will ever be the same success. Andrew will continue to be successfull, likewise Amanda. They already blazed the path for people like us to be able to sell giant enterprises on believing that we're not just insignificant content creators with no value.

Also, this giant vacuum where Rocketboom used to be will be filled with other shows (hopefully many) and increase the diversity of content available. Instead of everyone going to Rocketboom, they'll go to a bunch of other stuff.

I was personally half convinced that this was going to be a hoax by morning.

jules
www.inoveryourhead.net

[shepdave]

Actually, Amanda suggests on AmandaUnboomed (http://amandaunboomed.blogspot.com/) that she was rendered irrelevant by Andrew, the majority owner of Rocketboom.

It is, of course, impossible to know the full story, but she and others are talking about it, and Andrew is not. It does sound like a power play by Andrew. And it is impossible for me to imagine RB without Amanda. She was definitely not just "talent" in the TV sense. She was a creator of very much of the content of that show, and is definitely the personality of the 'cast.

She--and Rocketboom--will be sorely missed. I imagine we'll see her soon elsewhere on the blogosphere.

[WyethDigital]

Actually, Amanda suggests on AmandaUnboomed (http://amandaunboomed.blogspot.com/) that she was rendered irrelevant by Andrew, the majority owner of Rocketboom.

It is, of course, impossible to know the full story, but she and others are talking about it, and Andrew is not. It does sound like a power play by Andrew. And it is impossible for me to imagine RB without Amanda. She was definitely not just "talent" in the TV sense. She was a creator of very much of the content of that show, and is definitely the personality of the 'cast.

She--and Rocketboom--will be sorely missed. I imagine we'll see her soon elsewhere on the blogosphere.
Yeah, we don't know enough of what's going on to take sides, which is why I chose to express what both had to say. If you watch today's Geekbrief, you'll have a better idea of Andrew's viewpoint.

But again, I'm not so much interested in the drama behind the scenes, but rather what the aftermath will be.

Eric

[shepdave]

I have to say that I am dumbfounded that only three of us are involved in this thread on the Podcast Alley forum, discussing the demise of Rocketboom.

It seems to me a sign of how much the PA forum has devolved into a "look at me, here's my newest episode" kind of place.

Eight or ten months ago, the news of Amanda's leaving Rocketboom would have sparked a firestorm of emotional discussion here. Now it's just me and you two guys, jules and eric.

What's up with that? What has happened here? Does anybody care about the history and future of video podcasting/blogging? Rocketboom was an incredibly important show, and nobody seems to care.

Dave

[WyethDigital]

I'm surprised at this myself. Maybe if we started swinging sharp sticks and swearing at each other we could get the kids' attention?

I deliberately called it "AC Quits" hoping to scoop in the PodShow haters, too!


Eric

[Lizard King]

I'm surprised at this myself. Maybe if we started swinging sharp sticks and swearing at each other we could get the kids' attention?

I deliberately called it "AC Quits" hoping to scoop in the PodShow haters, too!


Eric

God knows you got me, **** you!

[TALK RADIO SHOW]

Alls I gots to say is "I told ya so."

[WyethDigital]

I'm surprised at this myself. Maybe if we started swinging sharp sticks and swearing at each other we could get the kids' attention?

I deliberately called it "AC Quits" hoping to scoop in the PodShow haters, too!


Eric

God knows you got me, d*mn you!
Bwa-ha-ha-ha-haaaaaaaaa!

[WyethDigital]

Alls I gots to say is "I told ya so."
Actually, I believe you said Amanda had no talent and wasn't funny because she didn't seem to think you were funny :?

Not quite the same thing... but I guess we'll call 'er close enough!

Eric

[kinkysex]

I watched about 3 minutes of one RocketBoom. Meh, no big deal. Just not my thing.

I like GeekBrief.

Maybe among podcasters, RocketBoom just isn't that big of a deal?

[Kell]

I had never heard of Rocket Boom, which really doesn't mean anything. It only shows that I don't get out from under that rock very often.

You know how us neanderthals are.

[Metaphore]

I would attribute the lack of discussion to the fact that Rocketboom (although quite the groundbreaker and influential podcast) is a vidcast and PCA is dominately audio podcasters who couldn't care less or have never watched vidcasts.

I'm not positive but I think as far as vidcasters on this site Me, Eric and Cali are about it. I would suggest the Vlogger group on Yahoo if you want alot of opinions on it.

[Wintersheart]

And me ;)-

I used to be an audio podcaster I guess thats why I hang around here.

Plus its where all the cool people are I dont know the vlogger crowd. ( but I havent tried)

I think its a loss when any show stops. I was subscribed to rocket boom.

-Lynne

[Metaphore]

ah crap and Lynne sorry Lynne. Silly thing is I had just read a post from you 3 seconds before I posted that.

[Wintersheart]

Actually how do i get to the yahoo vlogger group something else for me to read while at work ;)-
-Lynne

[Metaphore]

you'll probaby have to sign up for an account. Its free though.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/videoblogging/

[WyethDigital]

ah crap and Lynne sorry Lynne. Silly thing is I had just read a post from you 3 seconds before I posted that.
The hat too tight, Rev? :P

[fogarty]

I always liked GeekBrief better than RocketBoom, but agree that RocketBoom was a really big deal for videocasting, having been really early and gotten a lot of media attention, etc. It's just sad to see something that appeared to be successful get taken down by what sounds like petty personal stuff. But isn't that how it often works?

I think if RB would have imploded 6 months ago it would have been worse for vidcasting than it is today. There are so many great vidcasts emerging now! I just discovered Goodnight Burbank (thanks to the Podcast Peer Awards) and Hope Is Emo (I think I saw it at iTunes) a few weeks ago and I'm hooked.

[podcastrant.com]

inoveryourhead

When Craig Kilborn left the Daily Show people were saying there was no way it was ever going to be as popular with John Stewart. Now you ask people about it and they go Craig who?

[mental-escher]

Amanda is cute, but Rocketboom... yawn. She'll be replaced by another "face" (and T, and A) soon enough.

[WyethDigital]

Amanda is cute, but Rocketboom... yawn. She'll be replaced by another "face" (and T, and A) soon enough.
Yeah, I thought Rocketboom was overrated. I haven't actually beem subscribed since their insipid ad campaign for the ATM company (it was really, really painful). Watched a show here and there since then, but it just didn't grab me much.

Still, I think Amanda helped take what was a pretty mediocre concept and turn it into something more than it would have been.

Eric

[TheDiva]

Amanda is cute, but Rocketboom... yawn. She'll be replaced by another "face" (and T, and A) soon enough.

Hey!!...I have those qualifications! hmm... I think I'll give RocketBoom a call.

Edit: Yeah, I know I'm late on the subject... I'm trying to catch up!

[WyethDigital]

Amanda is cute, but Rocketboom... yawn. She'll be replaced by another "face" (and T, and A) soon enough.

Hey!!...I have those qualifications! hmm... I think I'll give RocketBoom a call.

Edit: Yeah, I know I'm late on the subject... I'm trying to catch up!
Being a Diva never means you're late to the party! If the Diva's not there, the party hasn't begun! ;)

Oh, and nice artwork in the sig!

Eric

[TheDiva]

Being a Diva never means you're late to the party! If the Diva's not there, the party hasn't begun! ;)

Oh, and nice artwork in the sig!

Ahh..yeah, I'm always running late. :)

Sig was a gift from a friend and I love it! (www.faux-tography.net) You may have noticed the new Myspace Img too! It's HOTT!
www.myspace.com/threebroads

[OuterLimits]

What a mess. It's almost as bad as reality TV.

[jeffoest]

I am subscribed to Rocketboom and watch maybe every other 5th show or something. I thougth it was fairly creative and interesting most of the time. I thought Amanda was charming and talented sometimes.

It was a decent show. If it went I away I wouldn't miss it I guess..

Thus I saw the news and just thought, this is podcast/vidcasting going through regular growth issues.

Rocketboom has done a nice job of marketing themselves and as long as Amanda's replacement has some nice creative talent, I suspect the show will be as popular or potentially more popular.

Amanda has done alright for herself via Rocketboom and I'm sure will be able to leverage that to other great opportunities for her.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that this piece of 'news' wasn't on the same level as say a breakthrough business model or new technology offerings. To me, anyways.

[WyethDigital]

I guess what I'm trying to say is that this piece of 'news' wasn't on the same level as say a breakthrough business model or new technology offerings. To me, anyways.
That's a good point, Jeff. All in all, given the notoriety RocketBoom has enjoyed (network news coverage, stories in the Washington Post and NY Times), along with the very public, and not-so-nice split between Amanda and Andrew, it is still news. Kind of like Agelina Jolie having a baby is news. News, yes, but not as newsworthy as the press coverage it's receiving.

I agree, I would much prefer a breakthrough business model! That to me would be huge news! :)

Eric