I Want To Change TV: Mitch Berman, CEO of ZillionTV (Part 2)

SM: They are using the Internet connection to download movies to the set-top box and view them from there.

MB: Yes. Again, you have three distinct flavors: Internet TV companies going directly to the PC, traditional operators, and independent boxes all providing video services. That is a highly competitive and confused landscape. >>>

New LinkedIn Group

With another roundtable coming up, I thought it is time to create a LinkedIn group for my readers, and the members of this community so that you can also access each other. Pls join, invite others, etc.

I am also looking for 8 volunteers who can act as managers of the group. If you are interested, pls email me.

I Want To Change TV: Mitch Berman, CEO of ZillionTV (Part 1)

Mitch Berman has 27 years’ experience in the television entertainment industry including pioneering work in pay TV and interactive TV services. His resume includes stints at HBO, E! Entertainment Television, Sky Network in New Zealand and OpenTV. His latest venture is the founding of ZillionTV.

SM: Let’s set the stage for the beginning of your personal story. What is the story of Mitch?

MB: I like to quote Oscar Wilde, one of my favorite authors, who wrote a lot of stories in the 19th century. He once wrote “experience is the name we give to our mistakes”. >>>

Deal Radar 2009: Open-Xchange

Open Xchange, an open source software company, aims to provide users with an affordable ‘Internet-age’ alternative to commercial email and collaboration platforms like Microsoft Exchange and SharePoint. The company offers features such as shared calendars, document sharing, shared address books and email for iPhones and BlackBerry devices.  >>>

From Greenpeace To Green Power: Sungevity CEO Danny Kennedy (Part 7)

SM: What is the financing strategy that was utilized to build this company?

DK: We did a faint angel round with a couple of institutional investors. We raised $2.7 million in 2007, mostly from friends and family, including Cate Blanchett and her husband. My partner’s family is out of New York and is invested in different ways. >>>

Market and Economy

Both Bernanke and Geithner have been in Senate hearings today. Bernanke said that the current and future fiscal stimulus packages are necessary. There was no choice but to bail AIG out. Geithner stated the obvious: more money will be going into future stimulus packages and bail-outs.

Meanwhile, Obama has made a statement that he isn’t bothered by stock market gyrations, to sharp criticism and concern that he doesn’t acknowledge or understand the consequences of trillions of dollars being wiped out. No kidding!

Deal Radar 2009: Collaborative Software Initiative

I continue coverage of commercial open source with Collaborative Software Initiative (CSI). Founded in April 2007 by Stuart Cohen, the company applies open source methodologies to software development and business communities. >>>

Next Free Strategy Roundtable for Entrepreneurs

Make sure you register for the next Online Strategy Roundtable for entrepreneurs to discuss your business issues with me.

During this 60-minute session, entrepreneurs are invited to pitch me their ideas in a 3-minute presentation. I will review the material in real-time and provide feedback on each pitch, as well as address specific strategy questions from the entrepreneur. Afterward, I will take questions about strategy from other participants. The session is open to 1,000 people, but only the first five to sign up have the opportunity to pitch and discuss their business.

To register, click here: >>>