The CEO of CBS-backed Joost just got some hard-won video face time from CBS-backed web site WallStrip.
Joost has “excited the imagination of programming partners like CBS … and investors like CBS,” host Lindsay Campbell says, applying a bit of deft irony before beginning the short but interesting Volpi video interview.
“Everything on Joost is legitimate,” Mike Volpi says, separating the Joost concept from YouTube. “All our content providers are professional.”
Of Joost content ads: “The promise we make to the user is, We’ll show you ads and we’ll ask you not to skip them, but we will show much less ads (sic) and we’ll show stuff that’s much more relevant to you as a viewer.” (He needs a “sic” or two, but how’s our Italian?)
Of (P2P): A fascinating technology. … There is a culture associated with it which in its origins can be thought of as a piracy culture. Theft is wrong. You shouldn’t steal content. I don’t see a reason why a technology inherently has to be coupled with a given culture. We’re actually liberating (it) to a much more legal and broadbased use.”
So, pro-cutie Campbell asks, what are you doing to make Joost cool? “The way the logo looks to the type of programming we have on it. … We started with an invitation-only model. We went with a European-ish feel which we thought would appeal to a particular generation. … We like to be cool.”
Asked about a series of technologies and personalities, she asks for his take on Ann Coulter. “I don’t know who Anne Coulter is,” he says with what appears to be a straight face. OK. Maybe we should be talking anime …
(Market tip: WallStrip is worth a look if you’re into finance in a “Mad Money” kind of way.)
Update 10/6: Joost went public with its beta; come one come all.
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