On March 17th, 2006 Hosea Jan Frank launched a daily vlog called The Show, making the commitment to produce five episodes a week for one year. Hosea, better known as “ZeFrank” is perhaps one of the most entertaining and intelligent content-producers I have ever come across (his slogan is “Thinking – so you don’t have to”), combining puerile humour with incredibly astute analysis and a totally unique perspective… I can’t help but love his style. So much so, I actually bought the T-shirt.

Anyway, I’ve fallen off the ZeFrank wagon in the last few months, but recently jumped back on, reviewing some of his most popular shows from late last summer. That’s when I came across this brilliant dissection of “brand”. Warning: it’s not work safe, mostly because of the swearing. (click on the image to play).

What’s also interesting is Ze’s steadfast refusal to take advantage of the viral possibilities presented by YouTube. He’s always refused permission to have any of his episodes uploaded. If I recall correctly, I think it has something to do with YouTube’s Terms of Use, which basically say that even though you made the content, by uploading it you give YouTube permission to make money with it however they choose. Which is a perhaps little-known (or addressed) issue in this new universe of user-generated content. I quote:

By submitting the User Submissions to YouTube, you hereby grant YouTube a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicenseable and transferable license to use, reproduce, distribute, prepare derivative works of, display, and perform the User Submissions in connection with the YouTube Website and YouTube’s (and its successor’s) business, including without limitation for promoting and redistributing part or all of the YouTube Website (and derivative works thereof) in any media formats and through any media channels.

Pretty stiff terms, huh?