Ad News and Views from Around the Web

TV to Web shift; the top women of social media; Jaron Lanier warns against the wisdom of crowds; helping Haiti, and more

Shift happens
According to the New York Times “Bits” blogger Nick Bilton, the Jay Leno-Conan O’Brien late-night slap fight is an indicator of the coming shift from TV to the Web. In fact, Bilton thinks Conan should ditch TV and go straight to the Web. But is the world ready for anytime O’Brien? And can the Web match TV in ad dollars? iMedia Connection’s Mario Sgambelluri wonders. May we politely suggest a smarter mix of both?

Social media: Where the gals are
TopRank’s Lee Odden names the top 25 women in social media. We’re happy to see our old FoY (“Friend of Yahoo!”), Charlene Li make the list. Congrats to all 25. You go, gals!

Jaron Lanier says you are not a gadget
Virtual reality pioneer Jaron Lanier—that dreadlocked brainiac who brought you the cool robotic glove—has a new book out, reviewed in Sunday’s New York Times. “You Are Not a Gadget” questions whether the social media trend is really such a good thing after all. Among other criticism, Lanier says that the so-called “wisdom of crowds” might not actually be so wise, especially when designing new products. Listen up, manufacturers and advertisers. Sometimes going with your gut can work better than design by committee. Just look at the iPod.

When social media works, and when it doesn’t
Lanier’s not the only one questioning the wisdom of crowds. Writing on Mashable, Joshua-Michéle Ross, a senior VP at Fleishman Hillard, says that social media might not be the right strategy for every marketer. Who is it good for? Those who can best keep it up, keep it fresh, and keep it honest.

Creative Spotlight: McCann’s powerful Haiti PSA
Volunteers from McCann worked day and night to put together this heart-rending PSA on behalf of the survivors of the Haiti earthquake, which may have killed as many as 200,000 people and left hundreds of thousands homeless and hopeless. We salute the caring creatives who created it and urge everyone to give—until it hurts. Text Haiti 25383. And here’s how Yahoo! is helping.