Sports Illustrated Plans New Web Video Series

Over the past year, we’ve seen the entire video distribution model flipped on it’s head, from YouTube paid channels to live network TV streamed through a dedicated Apple TV app and even a Spielberg-produced “Halo” series for Xbox. So considering all the recent shifts, we can’t say we were all that surprised to see Sports Illustrated come out with their own live web video series…but it still is a first for a Time Inc company. The live half-hour show will be a bit more laid back then Sportcenter and is aimed at engaging sports in need of a midday fix. So far, Ford is the premier sponsor so we will stay tuned to see if SI’s video push gains some traction.

SI Swimsuit Models Come To Life Through QR In Lexus Ad

In this year’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition, Lexus is utilizing QR coding to bring the models in the magazine to life. The ad features three models that spring to life when the reader holds a QR reader over the image of the models on the page. The models walk towards the phone to music and a Lexus slogan. This is a definite step forward for a QR technology that’s seemingly stalled out as people continue to criticize its clumsiness, but in this instance Sports Illustrated and Lexus are bringing the technology to a much wider audience in a new form in a continued attempt to keep the swimsuit edition current and innovative.