My Two Cents: The Alter Ego Talks To The Press
The January issue featured
an interview with myself, this time I have an exclusive interview with my
alter-ego, Mod Inifares.
Dom: VideoAge is entering its 25th year. Isn't it time
to...
Mod: VideoAge is as young as it looks. When it was born,
all of today's key executives were apprentices. Today, they run companies
and they're at their prime. VideoAge is their mirror.
Dom: But the industry has changed. VideoAge has reflected
that change and has changed itself. Now it features stories about the
Internet wreaking havoc...
Mod: When VideoAge was born, cable was doing the "havocking." Before
that it was VCRs. It never ends.
Dom: You have to admit that business is becoming harder.
Mod: Look, when VideoAge started there were four major
international TV trade publications (VideoAge, Variety, TV World and
your former magazine TV/Radio Age). Today, there are still four,
with VideoAge among them. There has been an explosion of Latin
American and U.K. TV trades, but they're very local.
And to think that, in 1986, you launched VideoEra, Latin America's
first TV trade magazine in Spanish and, in 1988, VideoPro, France's
first TV trade publication in French. but those markets weren't yet
ready…
Dom: I was talking about the business that VideoAge covers.
Mod: Ah, that! Not really. When VideoAge started, the
industry was generating a few hundred million dollars per year. Today,
we talk in terms of billions, which is an enormous growth even if adjusted
for inflation.
Dom: Since my glumness isn't rubbing off on you, let's talk
about people. Are executives today happier than they were a quarter-of-a-century
ago?
Mod: Look... Your "quarter-of-a-century" is only a
little more than two decades in my book. Sure, executives are happier
today. International television has grown into a major worldwide business.
They're no longer ignored at the corporate level... Plus, their compensations
are more rewarding.
Dom: Your bright outlook is hopeless… So, what are your
expectations for the next 25 years?
Mod: First of all I hope that television will fulfill all of
its potential by becoming an IP-based medium. Secondly, I hope that,
in the next 25 years, we'll all still be around.
Dom: I was talking about VideoAge specifically...
Mod: Specifically, for VideoAge my hopes are that Mark
Kaner will start believing in the power of TV trade advertising and
that both Jeff Schlesinger and Michael Grindon will eventually support VideoAge.
Dom: And what about this rumor that's going around, that you
are planning to run for the Italian Parliament?
Mod: Ah, that! OK. Next year, I'm planning to become a candidate
for the Italian Parliament to repesent Italians residing in Canada,
the U.S., Mexico and Central America. Since television in those countries
will be playing a major role, I'm blessed to be in this business and
to be able to gain the industry's support. If I were to win a Parliamentary
seat, it would represent a great opportunity for our industry as well.
Dom: But if you win, you couldn't possibly do everything - run VideoAge and
sit at the Parliament.
Mod: Even if the day-to-day operations will change, with New
York still doing the coordinating, London and Los Angeles taking a
larger role, I'll still be involved in the production of the publications:
both monthlies and dailies. And, most importantly, I'd only miss a
TV trade show in the case of a private meeting with Queen Elizabeth
II or Condoleezza Rice.
Dom Serafini
