The "Overlord's" Take On The Revolution

New: Presentation Stream



Well... it's been a one hell-of-a-couple weeks getting everything in gear for the big event, from teaser videos to materials to which music we play... a dizzying number of details came together reasonably well, thanks in no small part to Justin, the President of our PR firm.

I've seen a lot of comments in the event threads, and follow-up threads to the tune of:
"that's it?"
"where's the revolution"
"ATS sold out"
"ATS wants to be mainstream"
"that's no revolution"
The general feeling being perhaps we over-promised what was going to happen. But if you review the teaser videos, and compare that with what we presented, we were very true to the nature of the build-up.

While no small part of the evening was a celebration of ATS's 10 years, and the first time Mark, Simon, and I ever got together, the User-Generated Content Ecosystem concept we revealed is indeed the promised revolutionary concept. We're not trying to be "mainstream," we're trying to surpass mainstream.

Before I explain that in more detail, it's important to note there was one consistent star of the show -- what Richard Belzer discussed, what Simon discussed, what Mark discussed, what I discussed (in what looks like fast-forward mode now that I watch it), and in all our conversations with media, celebrities, and esteemed guests -- the star was, is, and always will be the material our members create. We take seriously the charge you give us, that you post your best thoughts and expect us to do our best to make sure as many people as possible see it. For more than five years, that has been our focus... because we know you have important things to say.

While our traffic certainly continues to grow, achieving more than 1.5 million visits a month, traffic-building initiatives alone will only get us and you so far. Just about a year ago, I left my cushy madison avenue advertising job to focus full-time on ATS and brainstorm with Mark and Simon on a strategy that would propel the contributions of our members to new levels of broad awareness. After three months and countless versions of 30+ page business plans, we zeroed in on the concept of a multi-channel publishing company with brand extensions into radio, TV, video, books, magazines, editorial, live events, and more.

For those of us who participate here on ATS, the concept may not be so revolutionary... in fact, it might seem like a logical next step. But over the past nine months we've had countless discussions with people in many different areas of media and publishing, and the universal response is a jaw-dropping WOW!

The Internet has enabled us to get together and create content that compels us to return and create more on a daily basis. But we represent maybe 0.1% of all the English-speaking consumers who would also be fascinated with the topics we create. In most cases, these people would have no desire to participate in ATS... but they still want to know what you're saying. For them, the revolution of our ecosystem will eventually provide multiple ways for them to stay on top of the latest AboveTopSecret.com topics, without the unique commitment required to find and follow discussion threads. But buried deep in that crowd is an unknown percentage of humanity with ideas and experiences who will want to join and participate in shaping their media experiences. The end result is a universe of media products that have been created, refined, and shaped by the new category of unparalleled experts... the online crowd.

We've all experienced various levels of how traditional media, with a typically singular voice, has let us down in either content or credibility. Now you and we have a chance to create a new form of offline media products that have a completely new brand of credibility... the wisdom of the crowd.

It's a revolution, and our every working moment is dedicated to making it happen.

I've added our "Big ATS" video, which is the video that was playing on the big plasma screen after our presentation, to our remember page:
www.rememberthe5thofnovember.com...




That being said, there's one more important thing that I believe myself, Simon, and Mark took-away from these past few days. For those in the "business world," there are generally two "dreams" for which people hope to attain at least one at some point. And it's either the ability to work for yourself on something for which you have a strong passion, or the ability to work with excellent people who you like. We're fortunate to have both. Everyone, including "The Belz," Jim Marrs, Mark, Simon, Stephen, our staff, and even -gasp- our investors are genuinely the kind of people you'd like to have around... and now we're all working together... for us, the evening also solidified this very important aspect.




Side-note--- the actual presentation was intended to begin much sooner. We ended up waiting for some key media people to arrive, which ended up streaming too much of the cocktail reception to an increasingly impatient online audience. Timing is everything, and the timing got disrupted... sorry for that.


Side-side-note--- we're wrapping up the details of a TV show that features the content of ATS members. Very soon, Richard Belzer will be here (with likely another special guest you all know), to ask your help... stay tuned.

Stream of the Event Presentation

Presentation
The above is the 27 minute presentation.



[edit on 7-11-2007 by SkepticOverlord]

Nothing but good things to say about the evening. Wish I could have been there, but then again, I'm too paranoid for crowds.

You folks are doing a great job in leading a great organization. It must feel like riding a tiger.

Glad I got to see what I saw before the camera went poof...

Thanks for the show.

Cant wait to see whats ahead.

can't wait to see what's next. I would love to be a content contributor.

Originally posted by scientist
I would love to be a content contributor.

You already are.

I thought it was very informative and exciting...

Being a part of, even a relatively small part of, such an incredible ongoing venture is amazing...

Now I must insist that the next revolution be held at the newest and most exciting meeting place in the eastern United States...

MYRTLE BEACH

I will of course provide all of the necessary security.. (For free booze)

Semper

I watched a little bit of the live stream, and i thought it was going to start at 6:30, so i watched the cocktail party, picture taking and etc. Anyway, i didn't have the time to watch when it 'kicked off'. Is there going to be a shortened video available with all killer and no filler?

Actually, we are looking at regional parties for members-only next summer. Which may even be a way to kick-off regional ATS groups/clubs.

Originally posted by hikix
Is there going to be a shortened video available with all killer and no filler?

I'm getting it ready to stream now... about 1 more hour of compressing to go.

Personally, I enjoyed watching the party both before and after the main event went down, it gave the members a good opportunity to see some shout-outs from the staff and special guests in attendance. And overall, the evening looked like a smashing success, it was a lot of fun to watch. Our little ATS is all grown up, it seems They just grow so fast.

It was fantastic to see ATS in this light. As someone who has been around long enough to have seen a lot of major changes around here, this put a big step of ATS growth into perspective in a huge way!

Thanks for a fantastic night And Happy 10th Birthday ATS!


--Kit.

Was great to see the ATS crew and see where the site is heading but in all honesty the hype was a bit much.... Unfort it seems that all this new stuff that is bieng released via ATS in the future seems directly aimed at the American audience If you really want to start the 'Revolution' that was called during the promo's something needs to organised for members in other countries not just in the USA while the rest of sit and watch....

Lets hope that this is a good thing for ATS and not the start of its demise....

Regional parties? Now that would be sweet indeed!

I just want to say that I am glad to be apart of the revolution.

Anybody who spends enough time on the net knows that this place is different. The way the whole TAN is run and modded is exceptional. Where else can you discuss the things we do, in the way we do with out being cursed at, ridiculed, brow beat, and generally called fools or crazy.

For example, right now I'm sitting listen to a serving member of the US military serving in Iraq talking about his life there and his addiction to ATS and the dangers of suicide bombers. At the same time I am reading about the Martial law crisis in Pakistan without the spin of Fox, ABC, NBC or CNN. I am also reading a members opinion about how our dollar's new found heights will be a good thing for the Canadian economy. All on the same site. Can I do do that else where? Maybe. But can I do it elsewhere with the same level of courtesy and respect shown to each other and our individual opinion's? If there is some where on the web that I can, I haven't found it. I have, however, found here.

All I can say is that I am looking forward to where this is going.

Thumbs up to the Amigo's and there vision and thumbs up to all the member's of the revolution, us.



[edit on 6-11-2007 by GAOTU789]

Originally posted by '___'J311
in all honesty the hype was a bit much

Well... if you review the three teaser videos, our presentation was on-point... exactly what was eluded to.

seems directly aimed at the American audience

Well... while all of our offline products will be english language, most of our planned publishing channels will indeed allow for an international approach. Also, when ATS MIX gets on-air, you'll be able to stream the live shows online.

And there are a few more surprises we're working on that would ensure easy access to things like TV shows.

Originally posted by SkepticOverlord
Actually, we are looking at regional parties for members-only next summer. Which may even be a way to kick-off regional ATS groups/clubs.

You know, in another thread, I actually put out the idea of regional and local ATS "chapters" as a way to form bonds among members. Not anything structured, but as happens among humans naturally.

Glad to see that this thought has some power behind it. (Ahead of it?)

Originally posted by SkepticOverlord
Actually, we are looking at regional parties for members-only next summer. Which may even be a way to kick-off regional ATS groups/clubs.

That would be wicked. Dont forget about us Canadian brothers.

reply to post by InSpiteOf


They would not forget about the Canadian brothers or hosers as we call them. A number of mods are Canadain and one (ahem) Admin.

ATS TV is almost here ! Great news. By the way, is there a way to watch the recent event? I would love to hear the speeches that were presented.

EDIT:

Never mind:

Originally posted by SkepticOverlord
I'm getting it ready to stream now... about 1 more hour of compressing to go.

[edit on 6-11-2007 by they see ALL]

reply to post by they see ALL


There will be video to watch, yes. It's in the works as we speak. I expect you'll be watching it very, very soon.

Originally posted by SkepticOverlord
Actually, we are looking at regional parties for members-only next summer. Which may even be a way to kick-off regional ATS groups/clubs.

Awesome, but make sure there isn't any 21 and over rule this time .

EDIT:

Originally posted by ZeddicusZulZorander
There will be video to watch, yes. It's in the works as we speak. I expect you'll be watching it very, very soon.

Yup, I just read that. Thanks.




[edit on 6-11-2007 by they see ALL]