Commentary and analysis from Simon Dumenco

The Manhunt for Media Screw-Ups

The Manhunt for Media Screw-Ups

Let's examine the media-world suspects and their guilt. OK, alleged guilt.

Full Article
Three Signs the Steve Jobs Era at Apple Is Finally, Definitively Over

Three Signs the Steve Jobs Era at Apple Is Finally, Definitively Over

For a remarkably long time, Apple worked brilliantly as a one-size-fits-Steve company. But things have clearly changed.

Full Article
Q&A: The (Real) State of Social TV Right Now

Q&A: The (Real) State of Social TV Right Now

The guy who wrote the book on social TV explains what's changed since.

Full Article
It's a Crying Shame Tumblr Hasn't Quite Figured Out Its Revenue Problem Yet

It's a Crying Shame Tumblr Hasn't Quite Figured Out Its Revenue Problem Yet

Tumblr just laid off four people working on its Storyboard project. Too bad it can't cash in on this suddenly famous crying kid.

Full Article
Here's What Social TV Looked Like in 1982

Here's What Social TV Looked Like in 1982

Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel kind of invented social TV on "Saturday Night Live."

Full Article
Help! I'm Being Asphyxiated (Possibly Literally) By the TV Industry's Business Model!

Help! I'm Being Asphyxiated (Possibly Literally) By the TV Industry's Business Model!

I never have to go far to examine the TV industry's bloated, dated business model. Sometimes I can just look out the window and spot it.

Full Article
Watch the Trailer for 'iSteve,' the Steve Jobs Biopic Starring 'Mac Guy' Justin Long

Watch the Trailer for 'iSteve,' the Steve Jobs Biopic Starring 'Mac Guy' Justin Long

Heartbroken that the Steve Jobs biopic "Jobs" got pushed back? Try this preview for Funny or Die's own take, the hour-long "iSteve" coming later this month.

Full Article
Watch the Hilarious 'First Honest Cable Company' Ad Spoof That's Gone Viral

Watch the Hilarious 'First Honest Cable Company' Ad Spoof That's Gone Viral

A twee soundtrack, perky pitchman and jazzy typographic animations nail the aesthetic of cable-provider commercials.

Full Article
How the U.S. Government Is Screwing Up the War Against Cyberterrorism

How the U.S. Government Is Screwing Up the War Against Cyberterrorism

The media can't get its story straight on the seemingly always-imminent internet meltdown.

Full Article
Just FYI, an L.A. Ad-Tech Company Holds Kitten Races in Its Offices

Just FYI, an L.A. Ad-Tech Company Holds Kitten Races in Its Offices

Can the perks at your agency or startup compete with SocialVibe's kitten racing?

Full Article
'Stay Off of the Social Networks! Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Instagram and Blogs!'

'Stay Off of the Social Networks! Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Instagram and Blogs!'

That's verbatim advice by a New York union to its members -- whose horrifying tweets have been making the cover of the New York Post lately.

Full Article
Are You More Influential Than Mitt Romney and Kim Kardashian?

Are You More Influential Than Mitt Romney and Kim Kardashian?

According to Klout, the failed Republican candidate is still killing it on social media.

Full Article
20 Great, Not-So-Great and Sometimes Scary Moments in the History of Big Data

20 Great, Not-So-Great and Sometimes Scary Moments in the History of Big Data

From the invention of UPCs and RFIDs to the launch of the iPhone and Facebook.

Full Article
This Ad-Blocking Technology for Google Glass Is Dangerous and Should Be Banned

This Ad-Blocking Technology for Google Glass Is Dangerous and Should Be Banned

But the pre-backlash to Google's high-tech specs is clearly underway.

Full Article
9 Media Things That Should Be Immediately Regulated

9 Media Things That Should Be Immediately Regulated

Once again, in keeping with the spirit of Ad Age's Regulation Issue, your Media Guy has instituted new laws, bylaws, bi-laws, in-laws and bi in-laws.

Full Article
Venti, Venti Annoying: So How Does Starbucks Misspell Your Name?

Venti, Venti Annoying: So How Does Starbucks Misspell Your Name?

My issue with Starbucks is basically this: How the hell do you stop thinking about a brand you really wish you could stop thinking about?

Full Article
Rich Ladies Need $200-An-Hour Nanny Whisperer to Talk to The Help, Says NYT

Rich Ladies Need $200-An-Hour Nanny Whisperer to Talk to The Help, Says NYT

This style-section piece from The New York Times earns it the inaugural Troll of the Month award.

Full Article
Watch a Harsh, Anti-NRA Spot That Helped a Chicago Pol Win Her Primary Race

Watch a Harsh, Anti-NRA Spot That Helped a Chicago Pol Win Her Primary Race

Illinois state Rep. Robin Kelly won a primary with a little help from New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Full Article
Everybody Stop What You're Doing and Make a Yelling-Goat Duet Video Right Now!

Everybody Stop What You're Doing and Make a Yelling-Goat Duet Video Right Now!

Forget your sad attempts at the (faux) Harlem Shake and go make a goat video.

Full Article
Here's How Nate Silver Did With His Oscar Predictions

Here's How Nate Silver Did With His Oscar Predictions

Celeb statistician Nate Silver looked "solely at the other awards that were given out in the run-up to the Oscars: the closest equivalent to pre-election polls."

Full Article