Playing Doctor

You might be interested in my new book about the history of the prime-time doctor show formula and its relation to the sociopolitics of medicine. Called Playing Doctor: Television, Storytelling and Medical Power, it’s a revision and expansion of my book that Oxford University Press published in 1989.

Annenberg’s PR people put together a video in which I discuss some themes of the book. With clips from shows (implemented in a fair-use fashion), it clocks in a 9 minutes, 39 seconds.

http://www.youtube.com/annenbergschool#p/a/u/0/w6_HCSFXWww

The University of Michigan Press site for the book is here:

http://www.press.umich.edu/titleDetailDesc.do;jsessionid=2292CD6C5545748970148891827D8741?id=354930

The Struggle Over Kids, Mobile Devices, and Regulation

Kids are usually more facile and fearless with technology than their parents -- quick to click first and ask questions later. A mobile phone that gives them easy access to content and purchasing power makes them easy prey for aggressive marketers.

-Jonathan Liebowitz, Federal Trade Commissioner

Speaking at the start of a two-day FTC forum on mobile devices, Liebowitz said the FTC intends to take enforcement action agtainst deceptive or unfair content offers. "As an example, Mr. Leibowitz pointed to SMS text-messaging offers from marketers that do not clearly disclose the costs for using the service." Activists are pushing for regulations to put companies on notice that mobile devices will not be vehicles for fraud. By contrast, marketing and media executives seem to be worried that, as with other media, specific concern about children might be merely the easiest way to legitimate regulation of advertising on mobile devices. They argue that the FTC should hold off from any rules until it is clear that problems are emerging. "The mobile market is finally becoming a platform for commercial services," they say, and regulations will hinder its development.

In Ira Teinowitz, "FTC on Watch Against Wireless Ripoffs," Advertising Age, May 7, 2008

On Nielsen's Cross-Media Ambitions

Today's [Nielsen] communication [to clients] says, 'As the most wide-ranging research and development plan in Nielsen's history, A2/M2 was designed to follow the video across all platforms and keep pace with the evolving ways that people watch television in contemporary society.' It's nice to dream, but Nielsen has a well-earned reputation for producing nightmares; poor judgment, late delivery and shoddy service are an all too persistent theme over time. Nielsen may have a former GE executive at the helm, but never use a jet engine manufactured at 770 Broadway.

-An unnamed Nielsen client

In Joe Mandese, "Nielsen Follows the Video, Sets PC, TV Panel Integration," Media Daily News, February 12, 2008.