IMDb is the most reliable online
database that allows users to connect with the movies, TV shows, actors,
actresses, and videogames that they enjoy so much.IMDb is an Amazon company that stands for Internet Movie Database.The site allows
users to search for anything in the entertainment industry and find out
information on previous movies or future movies that are in production.It allows you to see what movies actors and
actresses have been in and what upcoming movies they are signed off to work
on.IMDb allows you to search directors
also and you can see the next project they will be creating.
“The
information in the Internet Movie Database comes from various sources. While we
actively gather information from and verify items with studios and filmmakers,
the bulk of our information is submitted by people in the industry and visitors
like you.In addition to using as many
sources as we can, our data goes through consistency checks to ensure it's as
accurate and reliable as possible… Our sources of information include, but are
not limited to, on-screen credits, press kits, official bios, autobiographies,
and interviews.”(http://pro.imdb.com/help/show_leaf?infosource)IMDb is a free site where you can
register and rate movies and shows on a one to ten scale.It also tracks what movies you have seen and
give personalized recommendations for you.The site is free but you can upgrade to IMDb Pro which is $15.95 a month
and it allows you to get better connected with the industry as a whole.“If you work in the entertainment industry,
you can probably find even more useful information at our subscription site,
IMDb Pro (IMDbPro.com), an expanded version of the Internet Movie Database
offering additional features specifically aimed towards film industry
professionals, including the ability to post a Resume, Photos and Demo Reels on
the site. A paid subscription is required for ongoing use of IMDb Pro, but you
can get a free trial if you want to try it out first.” (http://pro.imdb.com/help/show_leaf?cost)IMDb generates revenue from advertisements
whether it is banner ads on the website or on the mobile app.
When looking at Anderson’s taxonomy strategies, IMDb uses a
couple of options to generate revenue.IMDb uses a mixture of advertising and freemium.The site has free content for users to look
up information about the entertainment industry and the site generates revenue
by allowing people to advertise on the site and mobile app.Different ways to allow users to advertise
include Rectangle, Leaderboard, Billboard, Wrap, Animated Sleeves, User
Selectable Wrap, HD Lightbox, Three-pack Overlay, Auto-expanding Rectangle,
Logo Interaction, and Pre-roll.Different apps are incorporated for the iPhone and Android phones that
allow for different forms of advertisements on the apps too.Freemium is used by IMDb by having free
content with no registration necessary to an upgrade to IMDb Pro.IMDb pro requires a small monthly payment
that offers much more to the user if interested in gaining work in the
entertainment industry.Allowing the
user to choose if they want to stay with a free site or upgrade for a more advanced
version lets IMDb thrive on the internet.
IMDb was acquired by Amazon in 1998 and continues to be the leader for entertainment databases. There strategy of using freemium and paid advertisements is an effective one and is shown by generating over 100 million users each month. They have over 42 million registered users. The site gains huge numbers of traffic daily and is estimated to generate $1.9 monthly revenue in advertisements. IMDb is to have an estimated traffic net worth of $47.2 million. IMDb is the ultimate database for movies and shows and their overall strategy is an effective one.
