I want some of that internet money!

Funny or Die is in a very interesting position. They used their celebrity connections to conquer the internet before moving into television or film. Of course the celebrity participation in their videos helps them with viewers. But how do they get paid? Like Mike pointed out in class, all of the empty space on their pages is bought out by companies. Online marketing even goes to a deeper level such that the first page is more expensive, and subsequent pages cost less thus leading to multiple brand exposure. What I found interesting is that they have incorporated their comedic production into these brands campaigns, also complemented with star cameos. I also enjoyed the notion of how quick their ideas get put out compared to that of TV or major motion pictures.

There is an episode of South park that I think greatly pertains to the problem of online media and viral videos. It is the one where all of the infamous internet viral video memes try and claim payments for their work. The music industry is already flooded with lawyers calling every which way trying to sort out royalty payments for their artists, I am wondering if the internet will ever be the same way? Should people who have massively successful viral works be paid in compensation? And what about if someone re appropriates material from someone else's viral video? What is so interesting is how wild of a place the internet is, for example the idea of watching virtual concerts, do artists get paid for official broadcasting of their performance? Lets keep in mind the staggering amount of amateur footage, which applies for many different types of performance.